Sam and Dean walked guns drawn into the dark abyss that was the house of the latest monster they were hunting. A witch.
The brothers moved cautiously as they neared a vacant hallway. Without warning a shadowy figure jumped out from behind the wall grabbing Sam by the neck. Sam let out a startled grunt as he was pulled against the stranger's chest.
"Sam!" Dean yelled aiming his weapon at the monster holding his brother hostage. Dean's heart ached as he saw Sam struggling against the figure that had him in his grasp. "Let him go you son of a bitch!"
The witch snickered, giggling maniacally he caressed Sam's hair with his cheek. "Nah-ah-ah." The witch cooed, trailing the tips of his fingers across Sam's lips, Sam attempted to pull away from the sicko, but the witch had the upper hand and Dean couldn't stand it. "I'd put the gun down if I were you."
Dean tightened his grasp on the weapon in his hands, he couldn't believe this maniac thought he was just going to let he and Sam sit there defenseless, waiting to be killed. "And why the hell would I do that?" Dean said gruffly.
The witch laughed once again, trailing the tips of his fingers down Sam as he spoke. "You do care about this man, don't you? I mean you really seem to care, I bet the look in your eyes alone could kill me right now."
The witch's fingers continued caressing every inch of Sam's body, Sam shuddered as the man reached his belt. Dean's eyes went wide and filled with a new-found fury. "Don't touch him!" He yelled, his body visibly shaking with anger.
The witch smiled, seemingly unfazed by Dean's anger. "Put down your gun." That was it, the final straw.
Dean dropped his gun to the floor as the witch made his way to him, a struggling Sam in his arms. Sam fell to the ground with a loud bang as the witch released him from his hold.
"Sammy you okay?" Dean questioned taking the younger man's head in his hands. Sam nodded to busy sucking in air to speak.
"Now what? Huh? You gonna kill us?" Dean asked angrily.
"Why would I do that? You're much more use to me alive." The witch said grabbing a hex bag from the table. The witch grabbed Sam's leg and pulled him across the room holding Dean back with his powers.
"What are you doing?" Sam hissed as the witch began reciting a spell. Sam screamed in pain as light burrowed through him and encompassed his mind. Tears flooded Sam's face as the witch did his worst while Dean could do nothing but make empty threats and scream.
"Cas." Dean called. "We could really use your help here!" Dean continued to fight as his brother's sobs died down.
Suddenly the door burst open to reveal Castiel, with a raise of his hand Sam's torturer was no longer an issue and Dean rushed to his baby brother's side. "Sam? Sammy?!" Dean yelled as he shook Sam's shoulder. Sam was unresponsive, this only added to Dean's distress as he fixed his brother's bangs behind his ear. "Cas is he-"
"He's alive Dean, just unconscious."
Dean sighed in relief, a tear threatening to slide down his cheek as he assessed the situation, they had found themselves in. "Help me get him back to the impala, we'll take him back to the motel and let the kid sleep it off." Castiel nodded and helped Dean lift his brother carefully.
Motel Room
Dean was laying in bed when he heard a terrible scream coming from the bed across from his. "Sam?" He called jumping out of bed and making his way to his brother.
Sam was franticly shuffling around looking for a weapon to defend himself, his fingers finally landed on a small pocketknife. Sam flicked out the blade and pointed it at Dean, his face betraying just how scared the young kid truly was.
Dean's jaw dropped at the image in front of him, it was Sam, or at least a younger Sam. The Sam that he raised, that he took care of. He looked to be about fourteen, his hand was trembling as he wielded the small knife. "What the hell?" Dean yelled flinching away from the blade instinctively. "Sam?" Dean said just as confused as he was startled.
Young Sam was visibly holding back sobs as he took a step back, still clutching the knife for dear life. "Who are You?" Sam pleaded frantically searching the room for some sign of his family, he wanted his brother, Sam needed his brother. "Where's Dean? Where is my brother?" Sam screamed panicking as the poorly concealed tears now openly fell, sobs began to wrack the small boy's body as he fell to the floor.
The fear in Sam's voice tore Dean's heart in two, his big brother instincts kicking in. "Woah, woah." Dean said calmingly putting his hands up in surrender and making his way closer to Sam. "Sammy, you gotta calm down."
The fourteen-year-old boy gave Dean a murderous glare. "Don't call me Sammy!" He barked, slowly walking to the door.
"Sam! Stop. We need to figure out what's going on, just stop moving." Dean begged picking up his pace towards Sam.
"Stay back!" Sam yelled holding the knife closer to Dean. "Stay away!"
Dean grabbed Sam's wrist and twisted the knife out of Sam's fingertips, wincing at the pained whimper that escaped his baby brother's lips.
Sam's eyes went wide. "Let go!" Sam screamed, squirming. "DEAN! DEAN, HELP ME! DEAN!"
Dean choked back tears as he threw his hand over Sam's mouth muffling his screams. "Sam you'll understand this later I promise." Dean whispered, taking the handle of Sam's knife he slammed it into his baby brother's temple, rendering him unconscious. Dean caught Sam in his arms and gently placed him on the bed. "I'm sorry Sammy, but we're gonna figure this out. I promise."
Dean retrieved his phone from the bedside table, quickly he dialed his friend's number, carefully observing every breath and movement made by the young man laying before him.
"Cas?" Dean called into the phone, pacing as he wiped his face with his palm.
"Dean." Castiel stated as if he'd been asked the other man's name in advance.
Dean's pacing became erratic as he spoke into the phone. "Cas. Look man, we've got an issue down here and it's kinda time sensitive."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning we need to do this before Sammy wakes up! At least I think he's Sammy." That last part was more to himself, he looked down at his watch. "Look dude, it's 11:00 now, if you can get here within the next-" Dean was cut off by a dramatic swooshing noise.
"I'm here Dean." The angel said matter of factly ignoring the aggravated look on the hunter's face.
"Yeah, I can see that." Dean said throwing up his arms in disbelief.
"What's the emergency Dean?" Castiel said eyeing the dusty motel room, piles upon piles of beer bottles were strewn throughout the space. Sam's books were scattered on the table, along with loose papers from the library. "Where is Sam?"
Dean set his jaw, his anger betraying him as it gave way for the worry to seep into his perfectly sculpted features. Dean looked to Sam's bed eagerly, rocking back on his heels. "That's kinda what I called you for Cas!" Dean motioned to the bundle of blankets sitting on the mattress, Castiel pulled the covers away slowly revealing the kid asleep in the bed.
Cas drew back in confusion, his usually rested face now crinkled and fearful, under any other circumstance Dean might have laughed at the angel's expression. "Dean, this… Child bears an uncanny resemblance to Sam."
Dean shook his head. "I've realized." Dean took a breath to calm himself, the last thing he wanted to do was accidentally wake Sam… err…. The kid before they had figured all of this out. "Look, Cas. I'm starting to think that asshole did something to Sam after-all."
Castiel spoke, his tone serious. "To which asshole are you referring, Dean? There have been several of these so called "assholes" to hurt your brother."
Dean couldn't deny the validity of Castiel's statement, but he corrected him anyway. "The witch, Cas, from yesterday. I think he might of… I don't know- turned Sam into not Sam."
"You mean this boy is Sam?" Castiel asked, looking the sleeping figure up and down.
Dean nodded his head in exasperation. "I know it sounds crazy, but I know my brother and I'll be damned if that Ain't him. At least… a younger him." Dean let out an agitated huff at the concerned expression on Castiel's face, Dean just needed to know what was going on with his brother. "Could you just use your freaky angel mojo to see if it's really him."
Castiel tilted his head to the side. "Dean, maybe we should talk about this, even if this is Sam, we have no idea how to fix him, the asshole, as you so called him, is dead."
"What does that matter Cas?!"
The angel sighed, his hair flying up as his breath met the dark strands. "The witch knew what he was doing. It's possible he didn't want an angel snooping around in his work."
Dean through out his arm in rage. "Sam isn't anyone's work but mine, he's my brother Cas! Do it!"
Without a word Castiel raised his palm above Sam's form, following his short limbs completely he did as Dean had asked. After a few minutes of this Cas stopped, his face drenched in concern as he turned back to Dean who had been spitting out curses left and right in attempt to hurry Castiel.
Dean shivered at the terrifying air Cas' fearful expression was releasing. "What?" Dean asked in a soft voice. At the lack of answer Dean spoke again. "Cas, what is it?"
Cas opened his mouth, his expression never wavering as he spoke. "It's Sam."
Dean frowned confusion overriding the fear. "Well that's a good thing isn't it? We can fix him?"
Castiel took a step closer to Dean. "I saw his memories, that isn't our Sam... at least not the Sam we're used to."
Dean huffed. "Would ya skip the dramatics and just get to the point already? Is he Sam or not?"
Castiel nodded his head. "It's Sam." Dean released a relieved sigh at the angel's words. "However, this Sam is lacking the memories and knowledge of our Sam." Cas paused at the confused expression displayed on Dean's face, he realized he would have to spell it out for him. "This Sam is only fourteen, Dean. The witch must have used that hex bag to alter his age in some way."
Dean was now panicking, pacing back and forth across the dirty shag carpet beneath his feat. "That's impossible, I thought witches could only turn someone younger, not steal their memories."
Castiel shook his head, knowing he could not answer all of Dean's questions He gave Dean's arm a reassuring squeeze. "There is much we can't be sure of, what we do know is that the Sam we know is gone until we find a solution."
"So, what? Is he even still Sam?"
"Yes, that is the Sam from your childhood."
Dean smirked. "At least that means he remembers me." Dean thought for a moment before crossing over to Sam's bed. Dean brushed back Sam's bangs with his fingers, gently. "I've got you Sammy. Big brother's gonna make everything right."
Castiel smiled softly upon witnessing Dean's rarely viewed gentler side that Sam had been telling him about for years. Cas decided to give Dean a moment alone with his brother, the ragged angel made his way to the door, taking his sweet time as to not miss the sweet display of affection he was witnessing.
"I got you Sam." Dean cooed into his baby brother's ear.
Sam groaned as he came to, his eyes fluttering open slowly. Sam felt a horrible ache in his head, it took no longer than a second for Sam to remember the situation he had woken up in earlier that morning. At least, Sam thought it had been morning.
Growling, Sam reached for his head as a particularly painful throb echoed through his skull. Unsurprisingly however, Sam found his wrist to be cuffed to the bed post. The cuffs weren't tight enough to bight into his skin like he had experienced so many times before, the metal was just tight enough to keep his hand from escaping.
With his free hand Sam jiggled the cuffs hoping to loosen something, with little luck he trailed the tips of his fingers over his wound. Sam gasp, drawing his hand back in shock. There was a bandage covering the mark on his skull. Not only had this monster taken him from his family and knocked him out, he had the balls to try and mend his wound? No. Only Dean got to do that.
Sam groaned, lifting himself up with his forearm. The boy flinched at the sound of someone clearing their throat.
"Morning Sunshine." The man teased, frowning as Sam began to struggle against the cuff binding his wrist.
Dean's eyes went wide as the cuffs drew blood from Sam's skin, jumping out of his seat he rushed to his brother's side, grabbing his free hand. "Woah! Woah." Dean said concerned. "You're going to cut your wrist all up doing that!" Dean said sternly, forgetting for a moment that Sam had no idea who he was.
Sam kicked his legs out at the tall man, ignoring the strangely proud look on his captor's face. Sam's attempts slowed as he wore out the muscles his legs. "What are you going to do to me?"
"I'm not going to do anything to you, Sam. I promise. Okay?" Dean tried to reassure his brother, but Sam was always a stubborn kid.
"Then why won't you just let me go?" Sam asked, confusion painted across his soft features.
"Because I can't." Dean replied, his heart aching at the fear he could see beyond his baby brother's emerald eyes.
"My family's looking for me ya know? If you let me go, they may just take it easy on you." Sam said, as if he was talking a man off a ledge.
Dean smiled fondly. "No, they wouldn't." He muttered sweetly. "Your family would never let anyone hurt you, Sam. I thought you would at least know that." That last bit was directed more to himself than it was to Sam.
Sam had never been so confused in his life, this man had abducted him, concussed him, and cuffed him to the bed yet there was something familiar about him. Sam almost felt… safe, and he hated it.
"Unlock the cuffs. You can still get out of this." Sam pleaded as Dean scoffed, shaking his head, Dean scooted the stool he was occupying closer to Sam.
"Was this really his- or a… your game plan? Geez Sam, thank God I was with you, I mean you would have been dead ten times over!" Dean laughed, the look on the boy's face the only thing bringing him back to reality.
"What do you mean you were with me? I don't know you." Sam hissed, fighting his restraint once again. Dean's smile slowly faded as he came crashing back to reality. "Where's my brother? Please just let me call my brother! I won't even speak; I just need to know he's okay. Let me hear Dean." Sam whimpered pathetically; his face twisted as he choked back his tears. Dean's heart had taken too many blows recently, he wasn't about to watch his kid torture himself.
"You can't, Sammy." Dean spoke, though it was barely above a whisper. Dean fixed his jaw to conceal his pain as Sam turned to him. Sam's face was red and flushed as he struggled to breath, it was made obvious to Dean exactly what conclusion Sam had jumped to by the broken flare that dawned in his unusually dark eyes.
"Where is he?" Sam whimpered, shaking his head. Dean recoiled a bit in his seat, as Sam seemed to think for a moment, the tears still streaming down his blushed cheeks. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?" Sam screeched, his face turning red.
"Sam, calm down. Breath, buddy. In and out. Come on just breath, Sammy." Dean spoke with care as he put a comforting hand on his brother's back pretending to not notice the large flinch that his touch elicited from his sibling.
Sam's breathing was rapid, as he rocked back and forth against his cuffs. Sam was hyperventilating, unable to suck in a single full breath of air. "Dean!" Sam whimpered sadly, his tone being enough to send Dean into a panic attack right then and there. "Why?" Sam cried innocently in between gasp.
Dean could hear the desperation in his kid siblings voice, he couldn't take it. "Sammy, it's me." Dean muttered pleadingly, begging Sam with his eyes to just nod his head and not ask questions for the first time in his life. "It's Dean." He breathed, his voice shaking as he went, unable to stop the whimper from escaping his lips as he saw the anger on Sam's face.
"Don't you dare use my brother against me! You don't get to do that!" Dean had always known that Sam would do anything for him, however there was a difference in knowing of something and seeing it with your own eyes.
"Look-" Dean said putting on a reassuring smile. "let me prove it." Dean said as he watched Sam turn his head towards the wall, presumably to avoid giving his captor the pleasure of seeing him hurt. That had been something Dean taught him when they were young.
Sam looked around the room where he and his brother had been bound, the room was adorned with concrete walls and a stone floor. They were in a basement.
"Dean?" Sam called scared.
"Yeah Sammy?" his brother called back in a calming voice. Dean may have been young but when it came to Sam age didn't matter, Dean would act however he needed if it meant protecting his brother.
"How's your leg?" Sam asked, the fear evident in his voice. Dean looked down. 'Damn,' he had almost forgotten about his injury.
Dean assessed his wound and quickly drew the conclusion that he was not getting out of them without help. The wood had splintered through Dean's leg, and he was bleeding much heavier than he was comfortable with. "It's fine Sam, doesn't even hurt." Dean assured confidently.
From the corner Dean could hear Sam's breath hitching as small whimpers fell from his parted lips. "Sam." Dean called calmly. "Don't let them see you cry, don't give the bastards that pleasure. We're getting out of here and when we do dad's going to gank these bitches, got it?" He said through gritted teeth.
The eldest brother had no doubt in his mind that the words he had once meant to help Sam were now the words that are instigating the internal struggle Dean could see on the young man's face. Dean wracked his brain for some way to prove he wasn't lying. "Sam I-" Dean stopped suddenly as an idea hit him like a bullet. Dean breathed, speaking in a soft whisper. "Poughkeepsie."
Sam tilted his head, his jaw dropped in shock. "What did you just say?" He hissed, doubt spreading across his features. "How do you know about that?"
Dean rolled his eyes. "Because I'm your brother, come on Sammy, you know it's me. Deep down you have to know." Dean gave Sam an obvious look.
Sam nodded his head seemingly understanding what the stranger had said. "I believe you." The young boy stated in false earnest. Dean smiled softly, too blinded by relief to ask any questions. "Now uncuff me so we can figure out what's going on…" Sam trailed off and Dean could tell he was still scared.
"Sure thing, bitch!" Dean said testing as he retrieved the key from his pocket, watching his brother closely he tossed him the key.
Sam caught the key with his unbound hand and quickly made work of the cuffs. "Jerk." Sam said hesitantly as he stood up from his place on the bed. Sam scanned the room, now having a clear view of the motel room. "So..." Sam mumbled awkwardly. "I really have to use the bathroom. I've been holding it for hours." He said, noting the suspicion on the older man's face, Sam realized he would need to be more careful not to give his captor any ideas.
Dean looked his brother up and down, he knew the kid wasn't stupid. Hell, he had raised him. "Yeah. Hold it." Dean said seriously, the pride filling his heart as he watched his little brother contemplate his next move.
Sam rolled his eyes. "Dean, how am I supposed to trust you if you won't trust me?" Sam questioned, raising his eyebrows.
Dean scoffed, throwing his head back. "I do trust you, Sam, I trust that you listened to my Brilliant teachings. Meaning that you don't believe me for a second."
Sam sent the man claiming to be his brother an exhausted glare, his bangs failing into his face as he hung his head, nodding. "Yeah. Yeah, I guess he would." Out the corner of his eye Sam noticed a large heavy lamp, relying solely on the element of surprise he made a quick move for it.
Dean flinched back in surprise but was unable to avoid the tall object being slung into his side. Dean feel to the ground, slamming his head into the carpeted floor of the motel room. "Sam." Dean growled from the floor, clutching his side he rolled over, stumbling to his feet he frantically searched the room for any sign of his little brother. Sam was gone.
"Cas?" Dean called.
"Yes, Dean?" Castiel answered, peaking through the Door.
"Sam's gone."
"How?" Cas asked, genuinely confused.
Dean scratched his neck awkwardly. "I uncuffed him." Dean paused to see the angel's reaction, Cas' face was unreadable, so Dean decided to continue. "I told him."
"Dean!" Castiel scolded, his messy brown locks pointing in every direction.
"Dean. How is telling Sam who you are going to do us any good?" Castiel asked confused as to why all these things weren't blatantly clear to his friend.
"I couldn't take seeing him like that Cas, he's scared. Hell, he was screaming my name, do you have any idea what it felt like having to sit there and watch him cut up his wrist while he begged you to let him hear his brother's voice?" Dean hung his head down, scoffing when Cas shook his head. "It hurt. It hurt a whole damn lot."
Castiel understood what Dean meant, Sam and Dean were his family, his reason for living. As close as he was with Dean, he knew that Dean was ten times closer to Sam. Which was saying a lot given how quickly Castiel was willing to lay down his life for either of the two brothers. Castiel sighed, his hair ragged, and his face flushed. "I understand." Castiel said solemnly. "Let's find your brother before a monster actually abducts him."
Dean smirked. "I'd be more worried about the monster."
Sam shivered, the cold creeping up his spine as wind nipped at his reddened nose. The boy cuddled his jacket closer to him nuzzling into it for warmth, he knew he would be alright, all he had to do was find his family, his real family that is.
The teenager had managed to walk quite thee distance in the few minutes it had been since he escaped his kidnapper. He was already at a service station that had to be at least a mile away from that dingy motel.
Sam's stomach growled furiously as he made his way down the street and to the station. The teenager winced at the condition of the building, even for his standards the place was run down. He pulled open the glass door and cautiously walked inside. The place was definitely not somewhere he would have chosen to visit alone but given the stranger had known a lot about him, he figured that was probably best.
Sam peeked over the metal shelving, the cashier looked to be about Dean's age and was way too invested in his comic to notice if anything went missing from the shelf. Sam had always hated stealing and Dean had mocked him for it, but somethings are necessary, and he wasn't exactly stealing the Mona Lisa. Sam reached down and grabbed a bag of M&M's that were furthest from the employee's view. Stuffing the candy in his jacket pocket stealthily he walked up to the counter. "May I have change for this please?" Sam asked, sliding the dollar bill up to the older boy. The cashier merely nodded and proceeded to hand Sam four quarters, Sam nodded his head gratefully and quickly made his way out the door and towards the payphone he had noticed by the pumps.
Sam slid in a quarter and quickly dialed his big brother's number, his brows furrowed at the high-pitched noise that came from the speaker that was followed by a message making him aware that the number he dialed had been disconnected. Sam tensed, adding another quarter to the machine, this time dialing his father, at the sound of another high-pitched beep Sam hung up the phone.
Sam sighed, wracking his brain for another number. The kid quickly forced another quarter through the slot. Sam's eyes lit up at the sound of ringing.
"How'd you get this number?" questioned a gruff voice from the other end of the phone.
"Bobby?" The kid said softly, his eyes lighting up, happy to hear a familiar voice.
Sam could hear exasperation in his honorary uncle's voice as he began to talk. "Who is this?"
Sam tilted his head. "It's Sam. Sam Winchester."
The man scoffed. "What did you boys get yourselves into this time?" Sam's confusion grew greater by the second.
"You mean Dad didn't Call you when I went missing?" Even if his father hadn't thought it necessary to call Bobby, Dean most defiantly would have.
"Where are you?" Bobby asked, his tone unmistakably darker, Sam hesitated.
"Umm, I don't know. Some random service station." Sam said, pushing his hair back with his palm hopelessly.
"Well, figure it out!" Bobby stated, his voice giving way for the aggravation to come through clearly. Sam immediately walked to the edge of the road and read the signs around him.
"Umm, I'm at Memphis Auto Repairs and Fill Up Station in (TBD)." Sam said tensely.
"That's not that far from me. I'll come get'cha but stay put until I get there, don't be an idjit like your brother."
Sam smirked. "You got it Bobby, just hurry."
"He what?" Dean yelled into the phone, his hand steadily clutching Baby's steering Wheel as he made his way to Sioux Falls where Bobby had taken Sam.
Cas looked over to him from the passenger seat. "What is he saying Dean?" Dean held up a finger to quiet the angel.
"Yeah… Yeah. I know we shouldn't have told him Bobby! It was Cas' idea." Dean lied.
Castiel pointed at Dean. "It was not!"
Dean rolled his eyes and continued talking. "Whatever… Is Sammy okay?" Dean asked, his face full of worry.
Dean chuckled at Bobby's response, which was something along the lines of "Course he is, ya idjit, you really think I would let Somethin' happen to the boy?"
"Of course, I don't, Bobby. I'll see you in a bit." Dean said hanging up his cell and tossing it to the angel, Cas caught it, fumbling with it in his hands.
"Why did you lie, Dean?" Castiel asked truly offended.
Dean scoffed. "It's a fib, Cas."
"Well, I don't like it."
Bobby filled a small bowl with chili and sat it down in front of the stressed young boy he had picked up. Sam smiled gratefully and dug into the delicious meal without the slightest sign of restraint, he was starving. The warm liquid felt amazing as it slid down his throat, he was scooping the food eagerly into his mouth.
"Slow down a bit boy, you're gonna get sick eaten' that fast." Bobby said, concern spreading across his face. "Did Dea- umm, that guy, not feed you anything?"
Sam merely shook his head as he continued slurping down the chili. Bobby's face went red. "I'll be right back Sam… Don't choke."
Bobby pulled out his phone and walked to the library so Sam couldn't hear him. He quickly dialed Dean.
"Hey, Bobby."
"You didn't feed the kid?" He said angrily, muttering under his breath.
"He wouldn't let us near him Bobby, I highly doubt he would have eaten anything we offered."
Bobby rolled his eyes. "Well ya could have at least tried." He took a breath. "You almost here?"
Bobby could hear the young man sighing behind the phone. "Yeah, we should be pulling up in about two minutes. So… how are we going to do this?"
Bobby threw his hand to his side, annoyed. "Oh, I don't know, princess. I hadn't thought about that."
"Okay… I get it. See you in three." Dean said hanging up the phone.
"Idjit." Bobby muttered as he made his way back to the kitchen where Sam had scarfed down his entire bowl. "Let's get you to bed kid." Bobby said sweetly, taking Sam's bowl to the sink, taking note of the confused look displayed on Sam's face.
Sam Quirked his eyebrow at Bobby. "Aren't you going to call Dad and let him know I'm okay?" He asked, his eyes full.
Bobby frowned, he had no idea how he was going to tell Sam about his father, though he figured that wasn't really his responsibility and they certainly did have bigger problems at the moment. "He didn't answer." Bobby responded gruffly, avoiding eye contact with the teen.
Sam nodded sadly, he had been hoping he could talk to Dean, he knew his brother must have been freaking out. "sounds about right." He said quietly.
Bobby led Sam up the stairs, halfway up, there was a knock on the door. Both Sam and Bobby froze in their place on the steps. "Bobby?" Sam asked worried.
"Go on upstairs, I got it." Bobby said.
Sam nodded reluctantly and walked up the stairs, Bobby sighed in relief, quietly he opened the door, letting the two men inside.
"Sam's upstairs." Bobby whispered, warningly. Cas and Dean nodded, walking to the kitchen. "You bring 'em?" Bobby questioned, looking back at Dean.
"Yeah." Dean answered, sitting a black duffle on the table, unzipping it he removed a silver blade and a bottle full of holly water.
Bobby grabbed the objects from the counter, huffing out an exasperated breath he signaled for the boys to follow him. "Let's get this over with, shall we?" The men nodded and followed Bobby upstairs to where Sam was getting ready for bed.
Dean stopped at the door. "Good luck, old man."
Bobby sneered. "Who you callin' old?"
Dean shrugged, affection in his eyes. Bobby knocked on the door.
"Come in." Sam called from the other room.
"Sam, can I show ya something?" Bobby asked.
Sam nodded slowly. "Of course."
Bobby pulled the knife from his pocket; Sam tilted his head confused which earned him a reassuring look from the man. Bobby slid the knife across his arm, drawing blood. Sam realized what he was doing.
"Bobby, I know you're not a shapeshifter." Sam said.
Bobby ignored Sam's words as he poured the holy water of his wound. "Sam, I'm going to do something now… and I need you to just trust me alright.
Sam nodded quickly. "Of course, Bobby."
The man opened the door and signaled for Dean and Cas to enter the cozy room; Sam flinched back at the sight of the two men. "Bobby what-"
"Sam, listen to them." Bobby said sternly, he gave Sam the knife and holy water. "Now don't stab them." He said knowingly.
Dean pulled up his sleeve, exposing his lower arm. "Do your worst." He said smirking. Sam pressed the knifes edge against his capturer's skin, digging it into his arm he sliced painfully drawing blood. "All clean." Dean said wincing as the young teen poured the holy water over the wound just as Bobby had done. "See?" Dean asked, almost pleadingly. "Do you believe me now?"
Sam took a second to think. "What about the other guy?" He asked, pointing the blade at Castiel.
Cas removed his trench coat and laid it on the bed, holding out his arm for Sam to test him. Sam repeated the test on Castiel, now even more confused. Nothing.
"You're crazy." Sam said, scared.
Dean rested a hand on Sam's shoulder resulting in a harsh flinch from the teen. "Sam, look me in the eyes." Sam tried to turn his head, but his chin was caught by the mans gentle grasp. "Come on Sammy, you know me." Dean said softly.
Sam met teary eyes with Dean. "De?"
Dean smiled sweetly, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Yeah, Sammy it's me." Sam pulled his brother into a hug; Dean squeezed his baby brother tightly into his chest.
"You're old." Sam laughed, still sniffling.
"Yeah, and you're supposed to be twenty-eight. We all have issues." Dean said, smiling. "Thanks for hitting me over the head with a lamp by the way."
Sam frowned. "You concussed me!"
"Because you came after me with a knife!"
"I was scared." Sam defended.
Dean's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You, Sam Freaking Winchester, are admitting that you were scared?"
Castiel made his way to Dean. "Dean, you should not think less of your brother because he was afraid. Fear is the body's natural reaction to danger, and Sam believed he was in danger."
"He was kidding." Sam said defensively, taking a step toward the angel.
Dean put his hand over Sam's chest, limiting his movement. "Woah… woah… woah. Easy tiger, he's a friend." A proud smile infiltrated Dean's lips, he had almost forgotten how much of a smartass his baby brother has always been. Almost.
"Sorry." Sam muttered, gruffly.
"No worries, young Sam." Castiel cooed, holding out his palm, Sam shook his hand uncertainly. Sam looked at Dean concerned. "Where's Dad?"
Dean flinched slightly at his baby brother's question, he let out a ragged breath and looked behind him. "Cas, Bobby, would you excuse us a minute."
The men nodded and left the bedroom, Sam's eyes were wide. "Is he okay?"
Dean led Sam to the bed, and the two sat down. "Sammy, Dad… he um… He's gone."
Sam gulped. "The job?"
Dean nodded. "Yeah, the job."
The teen turned away from his brother, Dean could hear sniffling as his brother wiped at his eyes. "Can I have a minute?" Sam asked in a hushed and broken voice.
"'Course. Take all the time you need." Dean assured sadly, rubbing Sam's shoulder as he left the room.
As soon as the door shut tears began actively flowing down his face, he let out small whimpers as he wiped at his eyes. Sam dropped his head; the tears stung his cheeks as they fell. Sam cuddled into the pillows on the bed and squirmed under the comforter, his throat burning as he swallowed, closing his eyes he silently prayed to whomever would listen that this entire day had been a dream, a really- really- bad dream.
After what felt like hours Sam was finally able to drift off to sleep, secretly hoping that when he opened his eyes, he would be okay. He just wanted everything to be okay again.
"Sammy, breakfast!" Dean called up the stairs, Bobby gave Dean a disappointed look. "Alright fine." Dean groaned as he walked upstairs to the guest bedroom where Sam was sleeping.
Dean opened the door to the small room, smiling fondly at the sight before him. Sam was laying on his right side, hugging a pillow tightly.
Dean nudged the boy's shoulder lightly, brushing Sam's bangs back with his fingers. "Sam. Wake up, kid. Bobby made pancakes."
Sam groaned opening his eyes slowly, Dean winced at what he saw, Sam's eyes were red and irritated. "You okay?" He asked nicely, taking a seat by Sam.
"I'm fine." Sam said frowning, laying his head in his elder brother's lap. "What happened, Dean… To dad?"
Dean rubbed Sam's shoulder soothingly. "He saved my life." Sam smiled.
"Do you think Bobby would mind if I stayed up here for a bit?"
"No. Take all the time you need Sammy, he'll understand. We all will." Dean moved to leave but Sam grabbed his wrist.
"Stay?"
"Sure." Dean said kindly. "As long as you need."
I hope you enjoyed it! If you liked it please comment, it would mean so much to me if I could hear from you!- Marlee 3