"So where are we going?" Adam asked his brother, as they rode the city bus across town.
Sam didn't answer, staring out the window and scanning the city as it passed, searching for something that Adam couldn't see.
"Ok here," he said, standing up suddenly and pulling the cord to request a stop.
They hopped off the bus and Adam followed his brother quietly, still wondering where in the hell they were going and what in hell they were doing. Despite Adam's numerous requests for more information, Sam had been tight-lipped only telling Adam to grab a pen and his backpack.
They walked until they came to a middle class looking neighborhood and Sam turned in. The houses weren't huge, but the lawns were all green and well kept with flowers in the gardens.
"Sam, come on! What are we doing?" Adam asked, exasperated.
"You wanted to make some money right?" Sam questioned, reaching into his own backpack as they walked up to one of the houses, "This is how you make money,"
Adam watched with nervous interest, a little fearful of what Sam might pull out of his bag and what his brother could have planned.
"We're not gonna rob the place are we?" Adam whispered shakily.
Sam stopped and turned to look at him in disbelief.
"No!" he said, pulling out a handful of tickets from his bag. "Jesus." He said shaking his head in annoyance.
"Tuck in your shirt," Sam said walking away and leaving his dumbfounded little brother at the end of the house's sidewalk "And wipe that dumb look of your face,"
Adam scowled at Sam, but hastily tucked in his shirt before running to follow him up to the front door of the home he'd chosen.
"Just keep your mouth shut and look cute ok?" Sam said as he rang the doorbell.
Adam stood just behind his brother, still trying to figure out how to look cute when a middle-aged woman came to the front door.
"Yes?" she asked, pulling the door open, revealing two small children hiding behind her legs, pushing at each other for a better look out the door.
"Afternoon ma'am," Sam said with a charming smile, "We're from West Presbyterian Community Church and we're raising money for kids in need. Our church is doing a raffle next weekend and for a donation of any amount you could be entered to win a prize,"
"Oh?" she questioned, returning Sam's smile, "That's so sweet. How much is the donation amount?"
"Its whatever you want it to be ma'am" Sam replied while grinning at her, "Any donation helps. We just want to help kids who maybe need a hot meal some days," he said, nodding sweetly down to the little ones around her ankles. "They are so cute," he complimented, "I bet you have your hands full."
"Oh yes," she replied knowingly, smiling down at her children, "I'd be happy to make a donation, just let me get my purse,"
"Sure. Thank you so much ma'am," Sam said charismatically, "Your kindness is so appreciated,"
Adam watched as she turned to go back inside to grab her purse and he and Sam were left with two little faces staring up at them.
"Your mom's a nice lady," Sam said smiling down at the oldest child, a little boy with dark brown hair who was probably around five.
"Uh-huh," he replied, "My name's Henry,"
"Oh, nice to meet you Henry, my name is Sam,"
"I'm five, this is my brother Ian." The little boy said, pointing to the younger boy, who had moved from staring at Adam and Sam to hanging off the doorknob and trying to climb the front door.
"Well Henry, this is my little brother Adam," Sam said pointing back to Adam.
"He's not little," Henry said skeptically, eyeing Adam.
Sam laughed easily, smiling at the little boy just as the mother returned.
"I've only got a ten. I hope that's ok," she said handing the cash over to Sam.
"Of course ma'am!" Sam said emphatically, "Any donation helps and we so appreciate it. Just write your last name on this ticket," he said handing her one of the plain printed tickets he had pulled from his backpack earlier, "And a phone number where you can be reached and someone from the church will give you a call if you win!"
"So nice," the lady said, reaching out a taking the pen and paper Sam offered her.
"Thank you again," Sam said when she handed them back.
Sam flashed her another charming smile as she nodded and shooed her children back inside, closing the door behind them.
Adam was quiet as they walked down the sidewalk away from the house and toward the neighboring home.
"What was that?" he questioned.
"A way to make money," Sam answered simply, pocketing the $10 the lady had given him.
"Are you serious Sam? This is what we're doing?" Adam asked in disbelief. He was honestly shocked. Sam, who always complained about how bad the hunting lifestyle was, who bemoaned everything that had to do with the way they lived, was willing to lie to people to get cash?
"What? You wanted to help. Here's how you help." Sam said, continuing on to the next house.
"Sam, come on," Adam pleaded, "is this even legal?"
"Well, its not illegal," Sam countered, "but you wanted to help Dean right?"
"Well...Yeah...I guess," Adam said, trotting after Sam, following him up the driveway to the next house.
"So don't worry about it. And look it's not even a lie. We said we're raising money for kids in need…we just happen to be the kids in need." Sam explained flippantly.
"Oh," Adam replied softly, doubtful of Sam's justification.
"Come on, I'll do a few more, then you can try."
Adam followed his brother up to the next house and watched as he artfully convinced the owner to hand over $50 for their 'needy kids' fund. It was kind of amazing to watch. Sam was normally quiet and thoughtful, brooding was what Dad always called him, but while when working the neighborhood he seemed so light and confident, almost more like Dean than himself. Adam was surprised to see that Sam could turn on the act so quickly and so completely, and he wondered if he would be able to do the same.
When it finally came time for Adam to try his hand at the scam he was nervous, his hands shaking with adrenaline and anxiety.
"Calm down," Sam said, "Just remember you aren't lying. We really are raising money for kids in need. Ok?"
Adam took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves and convince himself that what Sam said was true.
As they stood at the edge of the driveway to the next house Adam felt frozen, fearful and uncomfortable with the idea of what they were doing. It was only an ungracious push from Sam that finally succeeded in unfreezing him.
With Sam close behind him and fake tickets in hand, Adam walked up the driveway to the house and tried to channel his brother's confidence as he rung the doorbell.
Adam shifted his weight nervously; halfway hoping no one would be home, but trying to remind himself that he wanted to eat tonight so he'd better toughen up. A moment later the front door of the home swung open revealing an older man with a salt and pepper beard and a scowl on his face, wearing an untucked and partially unbuttoned policeman's uniform.
"Yes?" he questioned, staring down at Adam.
The officer was well over 6 feet tall, taller than Dad and definitely bigger. Although where Dad was all hard, taut muscle, this man seemed to be more chubby and soft, years of sitting in a police cruiser, tagging speeding cars rather than chasing suspects showing around his waist.
"Uh…" Adam stuttered, shock and fear making him want to vomit on the man's shoes.
Of course, he had to pick the house of the police officer. Of course. There was no doubt in Adam's mind that this guy would be able to see right through him. He'd figure out immediately that Adam was lying, that he and Sam were thieves and they'd both be hauled off to jail before they could say 'needy kids'.
Adam felt Sam give him a hard poke in the small of his back and he tried to remember what it was Sam had told him to say. Looking up at the police officer, Adam swallowed a lump in his throat and attempted to find the words.
"I… uh… we are… Sir, we are…um" he babbled, staring up at the face of the man who was growing more impatient by the moment.
Adam stopped and squeezed his eyes shut, praying to anything that was out there that he could get his shit together and not cause them to be carted off to juvie this afternoon. The thought of being in cuffs in the back of a police car caused Adam to start sweating and he pictured making his one phone call, trying in vain to get in touch with Dad.
"Sir," he heard from behind him, "Please excuse my little brother, he's new at this and nervous," Sam explained, putting a soft, comforting hand on Adam's shoulder, "Go on Adam, it's ok."
Adam couldn't believe that Sam could be so calm. They were literally about to scam a cop. A cop, who could arrest them, throw them in jail, tear them away from the only family either of them had left and ruin their lives, all for some measly amount of cash.
"Go on Adam," Sam said, "Don't waste the officer's time. I'm sure he has important work to do,"
Adam looked up to see the man now looking down at him good-naturedly, "Actually I just finished my shift, so take your time. I know what it's like to get a little stage fright,"
Adam nodded and gave the officer a weak smile, trying not to notice the city issued gun still in its holster around his waist.
"Ok," he whispered, then cleared his throat deciding to roll with Sam's plan and hope for the best, "Uh. Sir. We are from West Presbyterian Community Church and the church is doing a raffle for kids in need. For any donation, you get a ticket and if your ticket is picked you'll win a prize,"
"West Presbyterian huh?" the officer asked, looking between Adam and Sam.
"Yes sir," Sam said confidently, his voice never wavering.
"That's a nice place," the man said, "Are you part of the Sunday school there?"
Adam's mind spun to come up with an answer and he opened his mouth only to close it again immediately, feeling like a fish out of water.
"The Youth Group," Sam answered for both of them.
"Good," the officer said with a nod, "Keep you boys out of trouble."
"That's what our Dad says too," Sam said smiling and rolling his eyes with a light laugh, boyish charm and innocence oozing from every pore.
"So what's this for again?" the officer question Adam, leaning against his doorframe.
"Kids in need," Adam answered, feeling himself calm down as he noticed the officer's relaxed "We are just trying to help kids who might need a hot meal sometimes," he said parroting what he'd heard Sam say earlier.
The officer nodded again and seemed to be considering their offer, "Yeah, alright," he said finally, standing up and reaching into the back pocket of his pants, pulling out his wallet.
"Here you go." He said handing a twenty to Adam.
Sam watched as Adam's face lit up with excitement and surprise. He was proud of the kid. When the cop first opened the door Sam was pretty sure Adam was gonna throw up on the man's doorstep and bolt. And truth be told Sam was pretty damn shocked himself that they'd managed to find the only off-duty officer in the neighborhood. It definitely wasn't ideal and if the guy's cruiser was in the driveway, not in the garage like Sam supposed it was now, they sure as shit would have given this house a miss.
Adam was still staring happily at the $20 that the officer had given him and Sam had to elbow his brother "Tickets..." he reminded.
"Oh yeah," Adam said, handing the man a ticket and a pen "If you just write down your name and number, we'll call you if your ticket is picked,"
Sam watched his little brother beam as the officer took the pen and paper and wrote his information, using the door frame to press on.
"Here you go," he said handing the ticket back to Adam.
"Thank you so much, Sir," Adam said earnestly, taking the ticket and looking down at it. "We really appreciate it."
"Yes Sir," Sam agreed from behind him, "Thank you."
"Alright," the officer said, giving them a small smile, "You boys stay out of trouble you hear me?"
"Yes sir," they both replied automatically and Adam was momentarily thankful for Dad's training that caused his respectful response to be instinctive.
The officer stepped back and closed his door and Sam and Adam turned to go, hurrying down the sidewalk towards the street.
"Holy Crap!" Adam exclaimed, letting out a huge sigh of relief once they had reached the end of the driveway.
"Shh!" Sam said, grabbing him by the upper arm and leading him down the street away from the officer's house, "Shut up."
"That was close Sam," Adam said, his voice quieter as he and Sam walked down the neighborhood street.
"Not that close," Sam said dismissively, counting their stack of remaining tickets.
"Are you kidding?" Adam asked in shock "That was a police officer! He could have arrested us! We could get in big trouble!"
"No. We couldn't." Sam said, "I told you, what we're doing isn't illegal. The most he could get us for is soliciting and there aren't any signs or anything prohibiting it in this neighborhood."
Adam shook his head in awe of his older brother. "Damn Sam. You're amazing."
Sam rolled his eyes, "Shut up."
They spent the rest of the afternoon visiting houses in two other adjacent neighborhoods, finding people who were more than happy to donate to their cause.
"Woah! We've got like $200 bucks!" Adam said happily as they walked back to the bus stop, "You think Dean will be excited?"
"Well... Maybe don't say anything about this to him." Sam said, looking at his watch and then the bus schedule on a sign near the stop.
"What? Why?" Adam asked, confused.
"Dean won't like it," Sam explained simply.
"Why not?"
"He just won't ok?" Sam said shortly, making it clear that he didn't want to be pressed about the topic.
"Um ok," Adam said, willing to let the subject drop only because he knew he'd bring it up later when Sam wasn't so grumpy, "But we're still gonna give him the money right?"
"Yeah, I'll stick it in his duffle," Sam said, looking down the street trying to see if the bus was coming.
"He won't ask about it?" Adam questioned. Dean wasn't the type to just let things slide. Adam was willing to bet that Dean knew exactly how much money he had and 'finding' some extra would seem pretty suspicious.
Sam just shrugged, "I'll just tell him Dad left it,"
Adam gave his brother a skeptical look but didn't say anything. Sam knew Dean better than he did anyway, maybe it would be ok.
On the bus ride back across town to the less desirable side of the tracks where Dad had chosen their motel room, Adam couldn't help but prod Sam into talking more about the scam he'd cooked up.
"So…" he started, trying to seem nonchalant, "Have you done this before?"
Sam shrugged, looking out the window watching the town become more and more dismal, "Once or twice."
"Does Dean know?" Adam probed curiously.
Sam shrugged again and didn't look at him.
"Hell, I don't think there is anything he doesn't know about me," he scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"But he doesn't like it?" Adam questioned, pushing his brother further.
Sam turned from looking out the window to give his brother a cynical stare, the patented Winchester 'I-know-what-you're-doing' look, "No," he answered finally, "He doesn't like it,"
"Why? It's making money right? What the big deal?"
Sam was quiet for a moment considering Adam's question. The scam really wasn't a big deal, but the last time he'd run it Dean had flipped. That was several years ago, before Dean had dropped out of high school. Things that month had gotten pretty grim. Dad had been gone for nearly three weeks and in addition to running out of macaroni and cheese, they were facing eviction from their extended stay motel room. After seeing Dean's strained expression one too many times that month Sam decided it was time for him to step up. He'd been pretty proud of himself for coming up with a clever scheme that didn't require him to outright steal from anyone. He liked to think that didn't make it nearly as bad, didn't push him quite as far away from his dream of the 'apple pie life' as the credit card fraud and pool hustling Dad had taught him. After sneaking away from Dean, he'd spent the afternoon hustling neighborhood after neighborhood and proudly come home with a handful of cash. At the time Sam couldn't figure out why Dean was so upset with him, and although he pressed his brother to explain, he could never get a clear answer as to why what he did was so bad. They never spoke of Sam's con again and he didn't try it again, but he thought about it a lot.
"Yeah it's making money, but I think he thinks it's slimy," Sam admitted ashamedly, remembering the hurt that he had felt when he realized Dean wasn't proud of him for helping bring in money.
"Slimy? And hustling someone in pool isn't?" Adam asked bothered by the idea that Dean would think that anything Sam could do would be unethical.
"I don't know. It's different I guess," Sam answered, finally turning to look at his younger brother.
"Yeah? How?"
Sam sighed, his mind running back over the possibilities he had considered to explain Dean's reaction, "I don't know. I mean for me the ends kinda justify the means you know? I'm not sure Dean could ever see it that way,"
"Oh?" Adam replied, confused but not wanting to seem stupid. "Dean doesn't think it's worth it?
Adam watched as Sam bit the inside of his cheek before continuing, "I think for Dean …and maybe for Dad too… the world is black and white. This is bad. This is good. Hustling a pool game is fine cause the person knows there's a risk, even if he doesn't know he's being played. What we just did is a little probably a little more grey, since we didn't really lie, but we didn't tell the truth either."
"Oh." Adam replied quietly, soaking in Sam's words. Although he couldn't completely understand the nuances of what Sam explained, he could see that his brother had clearly given some thought to what they were doing and how it played into his own worldview.
The more time that Adam spent with Sam, the more he became aware of how much Sam felt like an outsider within their little family, a fact that flabbergasted Adam since he knew he was the one who was most outside their own family norms. Sam may have felt like he didn't belong, but from Adam's perspective, he was a perfect fit into the Winchester puzzle. He had all the skills, the talent and the grace under pressure to be a stand out hunter, to help people and change the world if he wanted to. Adam on the other hand actually wanted to help people. He wanted to hunt and to save them from the things that went bump in the night, but he had none of the training, none of the talents, none of the skills that Sam was so ready to throw away and sacrifice at the altar of normalcy.
"Are we still gonna give him the money?" Adam asked, starting to regret pushing Sam into the scam.
"Well, what else are we gonna do with it numbnuts?" Sam asked, screwing up his face to tease his little brother.
"Yeah, ok," Adam said rolling his eyes and letting a smile slide up his face at his brother's lame insult.
Sam's teasing effectively put an end to their conversation, but Adam was left feeling a little uneasy about the whole afternoon. He'd started off nobly wanting to help Dean and ease his burden of responsibly, but he found he didn't like lying to people to get money. Admittedly he'd been hoping that bring home some cash would ease the tension between him and his brother and maybe Dean would quit being such a jerk all the time. But now listening to Sam explain why he thought Dean didn't like his scams, Adam was realizing that, as with everything else between him and Dean so far, this was probably going to end with his brother calling him a 'dumbass' and telling him to shut up.
Adam scowled at the thought. Eventually, he'd get on Dean's good side. Eventually.
A/N- Thank you for reading! And thanks to everyone who reviews! You guys inspire me so much! Actually, Elliesamdeangirl's last review inspired me to write another part of this story to explore Dean's reaction to finding out about his brother's hustle (thank you to her for the awesome idea that I hadn't even considered!). So that is coming up next! Thank you all again!