Chapter 7

Dean hummed in delight as he took a huge bite of the peach pie only to get kicked in the shin by Sam who frowned at him and mouthed 'manners' like he was a kid.

"What? It's good," he mumbled cutting another bite.

"That's okay Sam, he was the same way as a kid," Missouri laughed softly. "He did like my cookies the few times John came by with you two, even though you were too little to have one he always snuck you a bite when no one was watching."

Sam looked over at Dean with interest as he tried to picture a smaller version of him feeding him a cookie when he was a baby. He never really knew much about growing up until he was old enough to remember for himself. He ate his pie and sipped on the coffee as he tried to get the courage up to talk to Missouri.

"I know you have questions Sam. I can tell things are weighing heavily on your soul. I think you have a story to tell me," she encouraged sitting down her plate and leaning back in her chair allowing Sam the time he needed.

Sam pushed the last bite of pie around on his plate as he steeled himself to tell her what happened to him. It was hard to say things out loud, but he didn't want Missouri to see more than he wanted her to. Dean picked up their plates and took them to the kitchen to rinse before joining them again. He relaxed on the couch and gently butted shoulders with Sam to give him some encouragement and support. Dean wanted him to know he was there for him and he wasn't alone.

"Two months ago, I was on my way to Stanford to start college. I wanted something more than hunting for myself, I was trying to be normal, well, as normal as I could be. I was taken by demons at the bus station…" Sam began keeping his voice low and his eyes downcast. He gave Missouri a cliff notes version of what had happened to him and how his powers came out after being forced to drink the demon blood. "The blood, it did something to me. It awakened a power within me that I'm still trying to comprehend. At first, all I wanted was revenge for what was done to me. It was like I was on autopilot and have no idea how I knew I could do what I did." Sam drew in a shallow breath as he stopped for a moment, a faraway looking in his eyes. "When I killed the Yellow Eyed demon, I got out of that place and didn't know what to do. I was scared, devastated, exhausted, overwhelmed, by what was done to me, I didn't understand any of it. I stayed at a motel in the Catskills for a few days to rest up…" he paused and glanced sideways at Dean since he didn't know this part and saw him stiffened and sit up straighter as he listened intently. "I found a cabin rental in West Virginia so I could continue to heal and come to terms with all this. I mean this is something I can't just take off or wash away. It's a part of me now. I started researching everything I could on psychic powers, and I tried to practice. I had no idea what I was doing…"

Dean couldn't hide the anger and hurt from his facial expression. "Why didn't you call me?" Dean butted in not understanding when Sam had gotten free, he had not contacted him. He tried not to be too forceful with Sam but couldn't help it.

"I was afraid to Dean. I didn't know how you would react to what had happened to me. I thought of myself as a freak, a monster, and didn't know where I fit in anymore. Look at Dad's reaction when I told everyone I killed the Demon," Sam tried to explain, tears filling his eyes. "Dad was scared of me and wasn't even sure I was his son," Sam whispered as he looked down at the floor and swallowed the lump in his throat. "Even you were uncertain too Dean. You can't deny it."

"I was shocked and yeah, I guess I had my concerns, but not anymore, you know that. Dad didn't understand, but you should have known I would never turn my back on you," Dean told him, his voice serious and calm. "You'll always be my little brother. So, you've changed a little, I don't care, I will be by your side." Dean never lost eye contact with Sam and when he looked down, cupped his face and made him look at him so he'd know he was telling him the truth.

Missouri studied the two brothers as they talked feeling the concern and hurt from the older but not quite able to read much from the younger. She could sense tremendous powers within, stronger than she'd seen in a very long time. She could feel the unrest, uncertainty, and fear in Sam, but he had done a good job putting up barriers of resistance so he couldn't be read. Before Sam could reply to his brother, she spoke, "It was horrible what happened to you Sam, but you survived and now you are trying to find your place in this world again. Those events may have changed you, but didn't take away who you are," Missouri told him as she leaned forward to take his hand. "You came away with unknown powers so maybe I can help. I can tell both of you are tired and need some rest. Why don't we talk more tomorrow?"

"I'd like that," Sam agreed liking Missouri and her warm, gentle touch. She wasn't pushy or demanding of him and seemed to know what he needed to hear.

"You boys get your bags and head on upstairs to the guest bedroom on the right. It's got two twin beds and the bathroom is across the hall."

"I'll get our things," Dean said. He got up and headed out to the car to get their bags. He came back in and found Sam and Missouri standing at the stairs waiting on him.

"Now both of you get a good night's sleep and I'll fix us a nice breakfast in the morning."

"Thanks Missouri," Dean told her with a nod.

"Nite Missouri," Sam whispered.

"Goodnight," Dean said before trudging up the stairs. He was starting to run out of steam, getting still and having a full stomach was making him sleepy, plus the emotions that played out was the last straw. He walked down the hall and glanced into an open door to see two twin beds with handmade quilts on them. "Guess this is us."

"You want the bathroom first?" Sam asked as he stepped into the bedroom and looked around. It was warm, cozy and inviting, giving Sam a calm and safe feeling. He sat down on the bed and bounced slightly to test the mattress for firmness. They had stayed in some god awful, rundown, disgusting motels over the years and it was nice to have a clean, comfortable place to sleep.

"Fine with me," Dean replied. He sat his duffle on the bed and got out his bathroom bag before stepping across the hall to the bathroom. He pulled out his toothbrush and paste as he thought about what Sam had said. He didn't really say how long he had spent at this cabin, but it still upset him to think Sam wouldn't call him for help. He got he was scared, overwhelmed, and unsure of himself and afraid of how Dean would see him. He knew he had to hide any doubts or uncertainty from Sam to keep his trust and not have him disappearing again.

Dean finished his bathroom routine and stepped from the room back into the bedroom. He saw Sam sitting on the bed staring out the darkened window. He couldn't see his face, but knew he was lost in his thoughts. Sam would do the same thing when he was young and trying to figure a problem out. "Hey, bathroom's yours," Dean spoke calmly, not wanting to startle him.

Sam stared out the window as his mind whirled and calculated the recent events trying to determine what the future might look like. He didn't hear Dean come from the bathroom until he spoke. He jerked slightly and blinked rapidly as he pulled back in on himself and looked his way. "Thanks," he mumbled getting up to get his small bathroom bag and slipping past his brother to the bathroom.

Dean turned on the small lamp between the beds and flipped off the overhead casting the room in shadows. He took off his clothes, leaving briefs and his T-shirt on before turning down the bed and slipping between the soft and sweet-smelling sheets. It seemed like his worries seemed to drain away as he lay there and listened to the creaks and settlings of the house. He didn't know if it was because he felt safe here or if something else was at work, but his mind seemed to calm, and his anxiety lessened. Dean was almost asleep when Sam came back into the room and undressed before laying down.

"Dean," Sam said softly. "You still awake?"

"Mmm…wh' S'my?" Dean mumbled turning his head in the direction of his voice.

"I'm sorry for not calling you, you know, when I got free," Sam tried to apologize. "I was afraid, and my mind was so scrambled by what I had just done and...Lost…I didn't know if you could accept me as I am now. I'm not the same kid that left for college that night and I don't think I ever will be again."

"Sammy, I get it," Dean replied pushing sleep back for a moment and turning to look at his brother. "I don't know how you even survived what was done to you, but I'm glad you did and you're still the same pain in the ass little brother with just a few improvements. Now get some rest and quit worrying so. We can talk la—ter…" he said, not able to suppress the yawn. "Nite."

"Thanks bro, good night," Sam whispered before reaching over to turn off the light. A small smile played across his lips and a heavy weight seemed to fall from his heart to hear those words from his brother. He was accepting him for who he was now, changed, modified, powerful, but still his little brother.

A/N: Dean hopes Missouri can help Sam with what he is going through. I do love writing her in my stories. Thank you for taking this journey with me. I do like comments. NC