ULTIMATE DISCLAIMER IN PROFILE AND CHAPTER 1!

ULTIMATE WARNING IN PROFILE AND CHAPTER 1!

AU, OOC, slight SLASH.

Hey guys! I have some bad news...

*sigh*

There's still no actual Sam/Dean SLASH in here.

Now, before you send out a squad to hunt me down, I promise, no, I SOLEMNLY SWEAR to you that the next chapter will have SLASH in it with Sam and Dean.

And blame this chapter on Missy and Sadie. They plotted against me. *Sadie glares at Author, Missy pouts with huge kitty eyes "borrowed" from Shrek*

Hope you'll enjoy the new chapter! Maybe it can give some more info about the world I created. :D

UPDATE: I noticed a mistake. The beginning paragraph of this chapter was missing. It's edited now.

Chapter 13: Reality

Mary slowly made her way towards the kitchen. Ramon had already informed her about Alex and Mark and she couldn't have been happier. Those two had always been dancing around each other ever since they met. When Mary had seen them together, she'd known instantly that it must have been love at first sight. And the fact that it only took a small nudge from a third person…

Mary shook her head with a smile as she descended the main stairs. If only another one of these miracles could happen soon… She'd seen the stares Dean sent towards the new servant and the longing glances the young man threw at his Master when her son decided to be blind. Maybe she could give that little nudge… with some help, of course.

She arrived at the kitchen then and a remarkable sight greeted her, when she stepped in: her son, the mighty Lord Winchester, who was tough and emotionless from the outside, was having a playful tug-of-war with Sam, the box of Lucky Charms as the 'rope'. She was a bit surprised to see the gentle, innocent Sam with a slightly mischievous smile on his lips and a pleading puppy-dog look in his wide hazel-eyes, creating the perfect picture of an innocent little boy. Dean, on the other hand, had a full-blown grin on his face, his jade-green eyes sparkling with such happiness that Mary hadn't seen for quite a while.

Now she knew what she had to do for her son's – and her servant's – happiness to remain. And she knew just where to get an ally.

"What is going on here?" she asked, raising her voice over the hearty laughs of Dean and Ramon, who was watching the fight with some incredulity. Hearing the motherly tone, Dean and Sam froze, before the younger man quickly let go of the box, blushing in embarrassment for his behavior. Dean, however, just let out a laugh of triumph and dumped almost the whole content of the box into his bowl.

"I'm sorry, miss" Sam muttered, eyes lowered and hands folded in his lap. Mary couldn't help but smile at the sweetness. She couldn't get enough of it.

"It's alright, sweetie" she replied as she stepped to the table then she plucked the box out of Dean's hand to save some cereal for herself. When Dean reached towards the box with an indignant 'Hey!', she slapped his hand. "You had enough, mister. Don't be so greedy!"

"Mom!" Dean whined, pout firmly in place. When Sam glanced up, he almost turned purple from the adorably young look.

"I'm not gonna let you run around naked again in this manor, young man!" Mary said firmly and she took the bowl in front of Dean away, as well. "Or need I remind you of your age of four? You had too much sugar just before bedtime and we had guests, too…"

"Mom, would you stop?" Dean pleaded, turning a shade of bright crimson. "Please? It was embarrassing enough, when you told your friends the first time."

"What?" Mary shrugged, dipping her spoon acquired from Ramon into the cereal. "It was a sweet story to share."

"I was sixteen" Dean deadpanned, glaring playfully at his mother. Mary waved him off, just as Alex and Mark stepped into the kitchen. The pair halted when their gazes landed on the crowded table. Sam had a bright smile on his face when he saw them still holding hands. Peeking around, he noticed the others having similar smiles.

"Good morning" Mark greeted them quietly, a bit awkward in front of so many eyes.

"We're really sorry for sleeping in so late, sir" Alex spoke in the same tone. "We promise not to do it again."

"It's okay" Dean replied soothingly, making the servants relax. "Ramon told me that you two had a… busy night- Ouch!" He jerked and glared at his mother.

"Don't be so insensitive and rude!" she scolded before turning back to the newcomers with a smile. Alex and Mark suppressed a smirk then Mark leant down and whispered into Alex's ear, who nodded. As Mark made his way to the coffee maker, Alex stepped to Sam worriedly.

"Is everything alright now?" he asked the boy, who was a little taken aback from the question.

"Yeah, of course" he replied. He didn't notice Dean's worried eyes snap towards him or Mary's knowing smile. "Why?"

"You didn't show up at night. I was worried."

Sam gulped in guilt for concerning his friend for no reason, but he had to keep up the act.

"Oh, dammit" he whispered, wiping at his face, like he just remembered something. "I totally slept through it all. I'm so sorry."

"It's alright" Alex patted Sam's shoulder reassuringly. "We can speak again today."

"Oh no, it's not necessary" Sam shook his head quickly, but from Alex's knowing smirk, he guessed it was too quick. However, the young man just leant down and wrapped his arms around Sam's neck in a comforting hug that Sam couldn't help but reciprocate.

"Thank you" the two words floated into his ear like air, only heard by him. Sam pulled back in surprise then understood that he was busted. Alex winked at him, before turning to Mark, who gave him a mug of coffee and a soft kiss.

"I can start breakfast if you would like" Alex offered when he turned to the others.

"We're already done" Ramon answered, standing up to pick up the empty bowls and put them into the sink.

"Yep, we broke out our Lucky Charms" Dean added with a grin.

"Could anyone restrain you from eating it all, sir?" Mark jabbed with a teasing smirk. The answering pout broke loud laughter out of everyone.

"Sweetie" Mary spoke after retiring to her son's bedroom with Dean. "Have you done the preparations for tomorrow night?"

"Yes, Mom" Dean answered with a reassuring smile. "I just need to confirm with the servants."

"Don't forget to speak with Sam about it!" Mary warned him. "He's still new and I'm sure he's gonna be nervous."

"I think I'll do it now" Dean decided, standing up from his seat. Pressing a kiss onto his mother's cheek he left the room.

As Dean stepped into the servants' quarter, he heard a laugh come from the bedroom. He recognized it immediately and had to close his eyes, a smile slipping onto his face involuntarily: it was Sam. Taking a deep breath, he squashed his storming feelings inside, not wanting to ruin his current friendship with the boy. After a moment, he knocked on the slightly ajar door, which swung open with a tiny creek.

Sam and Alex looked up from their chat. Both of them were sitting on Sam's bed, Alex telling his friend about last night. As the door moved and revealed Dean, Sam couldn't help but blush and look quickly away. His heart sped up, beating frantically, and butterflies fluttered around in his stomach. His breaths became shaky, quickening his heartbeat as he smelled the unique cologne that Dean used all the time.

"Sir?" Alex asked confused.

"I just came to speak about tomorrow" Dean stepped in, standing at the foot of the bed.

"Oh" Alex's eyes lit up in understanding. Sam looked between the two nervously.

"Excuse me" he spoke quietly and the others turned to him with a gentle smile. "What's going to happen tomorrow?"

Alex gasped softly, realizing that Sam didn't know about this. Dean, though, answered the boy's question:

"The yearly charity dinner. At the end of every August, we hold it in this house."

"You mean, sir" Sam began, feeling the air evaporate from his lungs "that there will be guests and-and food and… and…"

"It's alright" Alex interrupted hurriedly, laying a hand onto Sam's pale cheek. Dean was watching his servants in concern, feeling a desperate urge to comfort the boy himself. "You don't have to be around them for now…"

"That's right" Dean nodded, seeing the dissolving tension in Sam's shoulders at Alex's words. "We only need you at the preparation before the guests' arrival, and after the party's over to clean up, okay?"

"Y-Yes" Sam nodded, still shaky. "Thank you, sir."

"However" Dean continued, "I need to go to the town right now, so if you have anything that you need for tomorrow…" his words were addressed to Alex.

"Yes, sir, I have a list" Alex replied, jumping up and walking out of the room to the kitchen.

"Knowing Alex, I might need help" Dean mumbled then an idea struck him. "Would you come help me with the shopping?" he turned to Sam, who looked up in surprise before quickly lowering his gaze.

"If you wish, sir" he said and slowly got up from the bed.

"Okay" Dean nodded and stepping to Sam, he wrapped an arm around the boy's shoulders and began steering him towards the door, just enjoying the warmth of the innocent servant by his side. "You take a shower and get ready while I talk to Alex."

Sam nodded, trying to hide his blush as he was pressed against Dean's firm body. He began trembling with something that he couldn't comprehend. He just knew that if he listened to it, he might not be able to restrain himself… Parting from the pleasant warmth and unique scent, he gathered some fresh clothes from the closet and walked into the bathroom. All the while he was getting ready, he willed his mind to stop making up different scenarios, now that he had a chance to be alone with his Master. He willed himself not to think about those beautiful green eyes, the full lips, the freckles on the tanned cheeks… Before getting out of the shower, he swiftly turned the knob to ice-cold temperature for a couple minutes.

"Alright, is that all?" Dean asked as Sam appeared in the kitchen.

"Yes, sir" Alex nodded and Dean pocketed the paper he had been looking through. Turning to his other servant, he had to swallow from the sight of the boy, whose hair was damp and skin was flushed slightly from the shower.

"I'm ready, sir" Sam spoke softly, bowing his head respectfully. Dean cleared his throat and nodded, not trusting his voice at the moment. Sam even had to wear a T-shirt that almost stuck to his chest, accentuating the lean muscles the boy had, and the tightest jeans he owned that was bordering on the verge of sin itself. Dean's eyes roamed over the tall, lean body, not bulky like other men in usual, but a little feminine, showing his hermaphrodite self perfectly.

Dean cleared his throat again and locked those thoughts away in the back of his mind. Walking to the kitchen table where Sam was standing, he picked up the object he placed there when Sam went to take a shower.

"Here" he showed it to the boy, whose expression turned from confused to downright shattered. Dean knew it must be humiliating for Sam. "You need to wear this."

Sam fought the urge to break down and sob like a three-year-old. He sometimes forgot what world he was born into. Ever since he'd gotten here, he felt like he was leading a normal life, despite the 'sirs' and the duties. But as he looked the white leather over, he was thrown back into reality – with full force.

It was a collar, similar to the one he'd had to wear at the institution until he'd been purchased. The difference between this one and the one from the past was that this one was pure white. Even the nametag was different: while the previous one was engraved by a series of numbers, this had something else written on it:

Property of Winchester Family,

of Lord Dean Michael Winchester

Under those two lines were the address and the phone number of the mansion.

"I'm sorry" Dean whispered sadly. "But it's necessary, so they know you're out of the house with permission. It's the rules."

Sam nodded with a shaky breath. As Dean walked behind him and strapped the collar onto his neck, Sam felt the rush of memories in his mind:

The sudden move from his home…

His father's frantic voice…

Hands grabbing him from behind and tying his wrists together…

Orderlies dragging him through a room…

Snaps of scissors…

Metal bars bruising his shoulder and leather strap biting into his skin…

Sam grabbed at the collar with a whimper, ripping it off and throwing it on the floor. He felt sobs break out of him as he hugged himself, feeling a little dizzy and breathless from all those memories. He startled when hands guided him forward and into a hard chest, a chin digging into the top of his skull. Fingers ran through his locks soothingly, holding Sam's head in place.

Sam felt tremors run through his body as he calmed down, and he began sniffing to get himself together. However, as soon as he felt the leather creep onto his neck, he whimpered and clawed at it, trying to get it away. His wrist was suddenly held in a tight grip and he wanted to tear himself away from the person holding him, but the other was stronger. Sam writhed helplessly, but he couldn't stop them to strap the collar around his neck. The leather tightened a little, making Sam gasp in a breath, fearing from suffocation, before it let up enough to settle snugly on his skin. The fingers ran through his hair once more, before he was pushed away and upright.

"You alright?" Dean asked in a whisper, wiping the escaped tears from Sam's cheeks. The boy noticed the pain in the jade-green eyes as they roamed over his features. Sam knew now who was hugging and comforting him.

"Be good, Master" he whimpered, clawing futilely at the collar. "Please, don't hurt me…"

"Shhh" Dean shushed him. "You've been exceptionally good." Sam noticed the pain in the man's voice, too. He knew that Dean would never hurt him, but something was rubbed raw inside him during the last few minutes and he couldn't help but be wary of his Master. "It's okay" Dean caressed Sam's white cheek tenderly. At that touch everything clicked into place and Sam's eyes widened.

"I'm so sorry, sir" he apologized, mortified. "I just don't know…"

"I know" Dean cut him off with a sad smile. "Everything is still too fresh. But it's gonna be fine." With that Dean pulled away and started for the door. "I'll be at the car. Come out when you're ready."

"Yes sir" Sam nodded, still ashamed, but relaxed that his Master was still caring for him. When Dean disappeared, Sam turned to Alex, who had been watching the whole scene with horror. When hazel-green eyes landed on him, Alex rushed forward and pulled Sam down into a much-needed hug – for the both of them.

"You'll be fine" Alex whispered into Sam's ear. The boy nodded into his shoulder. "We'll help you… Won't leave you…"

"Thanks" Sam breathed then pulled away. With a grateful smile, he turned around and walked out of the kitchen, making his way towards the Impala. He sat into the passenger's seat and Dean turned around to drive to town. No words were exchanged between them, especially about the last few minutes before the car ride.

Sam watched the people on the street walking by. He was sitting in the car, waiting for his Master to return. This was the third stop they had since they arrived into the downtown of Lawrence, Kansas. He only knew the town's name from the signs and billboards they passed on the way. He was shocked to learn how far he ended up from his home in Sioux Falls. How far he was from his father…

Sam swallowed, steering his mind away from his gloomy thoughts. He saw Dean inside the little shop, paying for the purchases. Sam didn't understand why he was here. Dean said that he'll need help with the shopping, but so far he just ordered Sam to stay in his seat. Dean was fine without him. It didn't seem that Alex asked anything hard that would require Sam's not-so-helping hands.

Speaking of hands, Sam caught himself unconsciously fingering the white collar. It was bothering him so much, his fingers were twitching to unclasp the buckle and throw the thing out of the window. However, he restrained himself, not wanting to get his Master into trouble. But the leather was irritating his skin so much, he had to scratch at it all the time…

Just as he was doing that, the driver's side door opened and Dean plopped into the seat. Sam didn't have time to snatch his hand away from his neck before the Master looked at him. Dean's gaze saddened at his servant's obvious discomfort and Sam felt lower than dirt for causing that to his Master.

"Don't worry" Dean said gently as he put the bag into the backseat. "There's not many places to go now."

"Yes, sir" Sam murmured, but he couldn't help the pout that crept up onto his features. Dean huffed out a laugh and pinched his cheek teasingly. Sam snapped his head away, blushing furiously, but he smiled gratefully at the attempt to cheer him up. The next moment the engine came to life and they pulled out onto the road. Sam watched the houses fly by them, not paying attention to the turns and the way they were going. He was trying to push the redness in his cheek down, but the feel of those calloused fingers trapped his mind in place. He jumped when the car stopped and Dean laid a hand on his shoulder.

"We're here. Now I need your help." With that Dean climbed out of the car and Sam followed him hastily, slippers clapping on the concrete ground of the parking lot. As he looked up, he noticed the shopping mall nearby. Dean joined him and they ventured into the huge building. Sam was surprised to see so many cars outside and so many people filtering in and out through the sliding doors.

As they stepped into the mall, Dean picked up two baskets, giving one to Sam.

"Alright" he spoke, fishing the shopping list out of his jacket pocket. Ripping it in half, he gave one to Sam while he kept the other. "Find all these items listed here and then meet me at the cashiers, okay?"

"Yes, sir" Sam answered, bowing his head respectfully. Out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed a couple people glancing at them fleetingly and Sam felt the nervousness creep up into his heart. It must have been visible on his face, because Dean smiled at him reassuringly.

"Don't worry" he reiterated, squeezing Sam's shoulder gently. "They know you're out on an errand. No one will bother you."

Sam nodded and let Dean lead him into the aisles. He was glad that Dean was staying with him for now. He didn't know how the others would react to his presence. After a few minutes of nothing happening, Sam looked carefully around. He didn't understand why no one pointed him out. Once his eyes took in everything, he felt like hitting himself for his stupidity.

The place was filled with men, women, kids – and servants. There was a woman at the vegetables with a young girl next to her holding a basket, eyes lowered. She was wearing a white blouse and faded jeans, slippers on her feet just like Sam's. Near the freezers he saw a couple with a middle-aged man as a servant, who was pushing a shopping cart after his Master and Mistress. He had also seen a few lonely servants in their mid-forties. They must've been trusted to be let out alone – like Ramon.

One thing was standing out in the picture: all the servants were wearing white collars with nametags on it, just like Sam.

"Okay" Dean spoke and Sam snatched his gaze away from the fifteen-year-old slave, who was holding a little girl's hand. He must be assigned to look out for the child. "I'll take a look around. Will you be alright alone?"

"Yes, sir" Sam replied, feeling somewhat confident. He hadn't felt like that for quite a while. It was great. Dean smiled at him then walked away towards the other end of the mall. Sam slipped the handle of the basket onto his forearm and looked at the shopping list in his hand. It seemed he got the simpler half of the required stuff. With a deep breath he went to search for the flour and sugar.

Sam never would've thought that he would enjoy something as simple as shopping. He had a chance to be outside the mansion and he quite liked the change of scenery, despite it being a crowded shopping mall. He had an opportunity to see other servants beside the others at the Winchester mansion. What stumped him the most was how well the owners treated their slaves. He heard a short conversation next to him, while he was looking through the vegetables, as a woman let her servant pick something the young man liked.

He was a witness of only one incident: a middle-aged man slapped his young servant, because she took a bag of sweets without his permission. The act was quickly forgiven when the girl explained that she wanted to give that to her Master's son. The Master calmed down and even bought an extra bag for the girl. Sam couldn't help but smile at the generosity.

He was almost at the end of his shopping list, looking for one bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and one Sangiovese. He was looking through the labels, when a voice startled him out of his concentration:

"Sam? Is that you?"

Sam turned around and his eyes widened. Standing behind him was none other than…

"Sylvia?"

Sylvia smiled, happy that the boy recognized her.

"Now, come down from the skies and give me a hug!" she said after a moment of stunned silence. Sam laughed in embarrassment but leaned down to accept the embrace. Sylvia squeezed him with a laugh before pulling away.

"So you've been auctioned?" Sam asked, remembering their first conversation in the institution.

"Yes" Sylvia nodded towards a woman holding a toddler in her arms and a little boy clinging to his mother's blouse with one hand. "And everything went according to plan."

"Is it okay that you came here?" Sam asked worriedly. He had caused enough trouble to others, he didn't want to meddle with Sylvia's life, too.

"Of course" Sylvia reassured him. "I asked my Mistress and she said yes. She and the Master are so kind to me. And I love the children to death. But enough about me" she turned serious. "What about you? Ever since you were bought, I was so worried. Are you alright? Do they treat you well? Do you manage the work?"

Sam chuckled at the swarm of questions.

"Yes, I'm alright… finally" he didn't miss the glint of fear in her azure eyes. "My Master is such a great man. And his mother, the Mistress, whom I had the chance to meet yesterday, is also very kind to me. The other servants help me a lot, but I'm alright."

"It's nice to hear such a confident voice from you" Sylvia said, stroking Sam's arm.

"Sylvia?" Hearing her name, she turned around and bowed her head towards the woman appearing next to them.

"Yes, Mistress?"

"Why don't you introduce me to your friend?" the woman asked with a kind smile. The toddler in her arms was gazing at the tall man with wide eyes, pacifier moving slightly in and out, as he suckled at it. Sam couldn't help but adore the cute baby.

"Of course, Mistress" Sylvia nodded. "This is Sam. I met him at the institution. Sam" she turned to the boy, smiling at the adoring look on his face as he watched the toddler. At his name Sam snapped his head to her. "This is my Mistress, Monica Colter."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, miss" Sam bowed his head towards the woman respectfully, eyes lowered onto the floor as was expected of him.

"Such a well-mannered boy" Monica gushed. "It's a pleasure for me, too, Sam. May I ask where your Master is?"

"He's somewhere in here, miss" Sam replied shyly. He felt a little nervous from talking with strangers. "He brought me to help him do the shopping."

"Oh, I see" Monica nodded. "So you're one of the Winchesters' servants?"

"Yes, miss."

"Really?" Sylvia blurted out. "Wow."

"Alright" Monica spoke. "I'm sure you have other things to do. We won't take up your time."

"It was no trouble at all, miss."

"Yeah, Monica, it was no trouble" came Dean's voice suddenly from behind. Sam turned around, only to blush at the smile on his Master's face. "You're coming tomorrow for the dinner?"

"Of course, dear" Monica answered. "My husband and I wouldn't miss it."

"Thank you" Dean nodded gratefully. With an exchange of goodbyes, Monica left them alone.

"Good day, sir" Sylvia greeted Dean. Sam snapped out of his silence at that.

"Master" he spoke turning to Dean. "This is Sylvia, a friend of mine from the institution."

Dean greeted the woman then he addressed his next words to Sam:

"Did you find the wine?"

"No, sir, not yet" Sam shook his head.

"I saw one of them at the end of the aisle" Dean remarked, pointing over his shoulder. Sam nodded and hurried that way to retrieve the bottle. As soon as Sam was out of hearing range, Dean turned to Sylvia.

"Thank you for taking care of him, while he was in slave-trade" he spoke quietly. Sylvia seemed a bit shocked then looked towards Sam, who was examining the bottles on the shelves.

"Poor thing was terrified to death" she muttered almost to herself. "I couldn't let him suffer through such a trauma… Can I ask something, sir?" she waited anxiously for the nod that came in answer. "How did he take it? Being captured, being a slave, everything?"

"Not well" Dean sighed, his gaze on his servant, as well. "It was a bumpy ride… a really bumpy ride… but now he's getting better."

"Sylvie?" came a little voice from between them. Looking down, Dean saw a little boy, Monica's son, pulling at the servant's jeans.

"What is it, sweetie?" she asked, lifting the child up into her arms with a smile.

"Can I has candy?" the boy asked silently, burrowing himself into Sylvia's shoulder, noticing now the stranger next to them. Dean, who turned back to watch his servant, noticed Sam's sad smile, as the boy watched Sylvia with the child. Dean was curious what Sam was thinking now. He tried to read the emotions in the hazel-green eyes from such a distance, but the opportunity was ripped away from him too quickly, when Sam returned to the wine bottles.

"Did your Mommy allow it?" Sylvia asked in a firm, mothering tone.

"Can we ask her?" the little boy asked with big, wide eyes.

"Of course" Sylvia nodded with a smile. "It was nice to meet you, sir" she said to Dean, who nodded his goodbye. As Sylvia walked away, she waved towards Sam, who waved back as he made his way to his Master.

"Did you get everything?" Dean asked when Sam stopped next to him. The boy checked the shopping list then nodded with a triumphant grin.

"Yes, sir" Dean swallowed at the beautiful sight in front of him, white teeth, adorable dimples, a glimpse of happily glittering hazel-green orbs… His heart swelled with a mass of emotions, glad for his servant's experience of success. Shaking his head slightly to dismiss his distracting train of thoughts, he began leading Sam to the cashier with a smile. Soon they were standing in the parking lot, putting their purchases into the trunk and the backseat.

"We only have one more stop" Dean said as they sat in the car and drove away. After a couple minutes, the Impala pulled over in front of a small shop. Sam got out after his Master and followed him into the building. "Why don't you look around, see if you want something you like?"

"Thank you, sir" Sam replied with a happy grin and hurried away to look around. Dean chuckled at the eagerness of the boy.

Sam parked down in front of the candies and was eyeing the gummy worms, hoping to convince his Master to buy it. However, just as he plucked a package of it off the shelf, a sudden call stopped him:

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?"

As he looked up, his eyes landed on an older man stalking towards him. His grey eyes stabbed into him with such anger and hatred that Sam shuddered from the sight.

"I asked you a question!" the old man spat out as he stopped next to Sam.

"I-I'm s-sorry, sir, I-I-I just…" His stuttering was cut off by the back of the old man's hand, as he backhanded him. Sam fell into the shelf and collapsed onto the floor, bringing some of the ware with him.

"You just want to steal my stuff, don't you? You filthy little freak!"

"N-N-No, p-plea-"

"You're gonna pay for that, you disrespectful bastard!" Sam cried out as the old man brought his walking stick down onto his shoulder, tears instantly leaking out of his eyes from the stabbing pain. He whimpered when the stick swung upwards again, but before it could've been brought down, a hand shot out and grabbed it, snatching it out of the old man's hand.

"How dare you-!" the old man whirled around but he choked on his words as his eyes landed on Dean's furious expression. "Lord Winchester…"

"We talked about this, Marston" Dean hissed out, causing the old man to flinch, as if his tone had bitten into his skin. Sam was still gasping from the pain in his face and shoulder. For an old guy he sure hit pretty hard… "I told you what's going to happen-"

"But Lord Winchester, this… slave…" the old man's voice filled with so much venom that Sam jerked in fear. Dean must have seen it, because he raised his voice, suppressing Marston's excuse:

"I told you what's going to happen, if you dare to lift a finger on another one of my servants!" Sam's eyes widened. Another? Who was attacked by this maniac?

"Lord Winchester, please" Marston pleaded. "Don't do this to me! This shop… Let's just forget-"

"I never forget" Dean cut Marston off in a cold voice and threw the stick onto the floor in disgust. However, when he reached down and pulled Sam up onto his feet, he was as gentle as during Sam's breakdowns. "It's okay" he whispered, noticing the fresh tear tracks on Sam's face. He leaned down to the fallen items and picked up two packages of the gummy worms Sam had been eyeing before the attack. After another withering glare towards Marston, Dean helped Sam out of the shop, whose shoulder hurt so much that he was limping from the pain. All the way to the car, Dean had an arm around him and was whispering sweet nothings into his ear.

Dean helped Sam into the passenger's seat, careful about the boy's injuries. He already caught the forming bruise on Sam's cheek, so he hurried to the trunk to get something cold for it. He was trembling from fury. How could this happen again? After Marston had promised, fucking swore that he wouldn't do this? Dean had forgiven him back then, but now he was beyond mad. He swore to himself that the moment they went home and Sam was alright, he will take action against this atrocity.

At last, he found a package of frozen peas. Seeing nothing better, he shut the lid of the trunk and returned to Sam's side.

"Here" he held the package out as he knelt down. "Where does it hurt more?"

"M' shoulder" Sam gasped out, sniffing miserably. Dean gently pulled the boy's shirt away and pressed the ice-cold package to the injured point, causing Sam to hiss and whimper from the flare of pain.

"Hold it here" Dean ordered him softly and waited until Sam grasped the package. Standing up, he shut the door and hurried to get in himself. He drove his servant back home as quick as he managed without causing Sam more pain by an accidental hit of a pothole. He felt his heart break when the whole attack sank in for Sam. He knew the moment that happened, because Sam began sobbing silently, his head lowered, chin touching his chest. Dean glanced at the boy then took his chance: he reached out and gripped at Sam's free hand in the boy's lap.

He felt Sam freeze, obviously stunned by Dean's move. Dean prayed for every high deity that Sam didn't push him away. He had to keep his concentration on the road, when he felt an answering squeeze on his fingers. He knew if he reveled in that simple gesture, he would wreck the car. They didn't let go of each other the whole way back.

Dean quickly jumped out of the car and ran around it to Sam's side. Opening the door, he helped Sam get out then wrapping an arm around the boy's surprisingly thin waist Dean led him inside the mansion. Sam was still crying, obviously in a lot of pain, judging by the tight grip on Dean's hand and the limp he was still sporting.

"Bloody hell!" the exclamation rang throughout the kitchen, when the pair stepped in. Alex hurried to Sam's side in worry, as Dean sat the boy onto a chair.

"Get some ice!" Dean ordered the young man, keeping his attention on Sam. Alex dashed away then returned a minute later with a cloth full of ice-blocks. Dean took it carefully then slowly pressed it onto Sam's bruised cheek. The boy gasped out a sob at the cold stabbing into the swelling skin. "How's your shoulder?" Dean asked quietly after guiding the boy's hand to the cloth, caressing Sam's flushed, uninjured cheek. "Does it still hurt?" Sam shook his head a little, his gaze glued to Dean's chest, like he was lost in his thoughts. "Where's Ramon?" Dean turned to Alex after taking the package of frozen peas out from under Sam's shirt.

"He's upstairs with the Mistress" Alex replied a bit dazed, confused by Sam's state.

"Stay with him!" Dean ordered him, standing up, and he rushed out of the kitchen. Alex knelt down in front of Sam, who was still staring ahead.

"Sam" Alex tried, but the boy stayed unresponsive. "Sammy" Alex called again even softer. The nickname seemed to work, because Sam jerked back into reality, his broken gaze pinning onto his friend. "What happened?" Sam seemed to be in some kind of shock, because he still hadn't given any sign of comprehension. "Sammy" Alex tried once more. "Was it Marston?"

Sam's eyes teared up at the name and Alex felt the fire of rage explode inside him. Keeping himself collected, he pulled Sam down into his arms, the boy resting his head on his friend's shoulder. He heard a long string of murmur leave Alex's mouth, the words 'bloody' and 'sodding' frequently used in it. Alex ran his fingers through the brown locks, trying to comfort his friend, all the while biting his cheek to stop the flow of tears.

"Why don't you lie down a little?" Alex suggested, pushing Sam upright.

"Stay with me?" Alex could've died from heartbreak, hearing the broken tone. He nodded without hesitation then helped Sam up and into the bedroom, taking it slowly because of the boy's limping. By the time Sam was in bed, Alex sitting next to him, keeping him calm, the boy came out of his stupor.

"He said 'another'" Sam spoke, his voice still shaky.

"Who said that?" Alex asked, leaning down slightly to hear the quiet words.

"Master" Sam replied, finally looking at Alex. "He said 'if you dare to lift a finger on another one of my servants'." He paused at the gulp that bobbed Alex's Adam's apple, when the young man looked away. "What did he mean?" Sam watched his friend fight an inner battle before sighing.

"Me" Alex replied. Sam's eyes widened at that. "He meant me."

"What?" Sam breathed out in disbelief.

"Marston was always favoring the old times" Alex explained silently. "The times when the slaves were punished hard for every little thing, even for being different than the average people. When the circumstances changed, not just in the law but in people's beliefs, too, he stuck with that point of view.

"One day" Alex's voice began trembling here, "the Master took me out to help with shopping. He gave me a list then sent me into Marston's shop. I was alone, because the Master checked out something in another shop. When… when I touched one of his wares, he…" Alex shut his eyes tightly against the images assaulting his mind, tears squeezing out from under his eyelids. Sam grabbed his friend's forearm, lending him strength to share his story. "Marston attacked me…" Alex sniffed, laying his hand onto Sam's. "He slapped me so hard I fell down then… he got that… stick out and…" When sobs broke out of Alex's body, Sam pulled his friend down into an embrace, ignoring his own pains in favor of comforting the young man. "No, you're hurt…" Alex refused, trying to stop him, but Sam was stubborn.

"You need it" he said firmly, but softly. Alex then let himself be manhandled, until he was lying next to Sam, his head on the boy's chest. "What happened then?"

"He beat me… really hard… the Master said I was barely conscious when he came to look for me… I only remember the pain… then relief when I heard the Master's voice…"

"God, that bastard!" Sam whispered angrily. Alex buried his face into Sam's chest and the boy knew his friend was ashamed about the incident. "Why don't you get some rest?" he asked, but Alex just shook his head.

"Alex" they turned towards the door, their gazes landing on Mark, who stepped closer to the bed. "You should take a nap. You need it."

"I need to make lunch" Alex began getting onto his feet. Shaking his head at the young man's pigheadedness, Mark helped him up. When Alex left the bedroom, Mark took a seat next to Sam.

"How are you holdin' up?" he asked, brushing Sam's growing bangs away.

"I'll live" Sam replied with a sardonic smile.

"You're lucky that you got away with only this much injury" Mark remarked with a soft hiss as he looked at the bruise on Sam's cheek. "Alex was almost beaten to death, thanks to Marston's treatment." Sam felt sick just from the thought of such aggressiveness. "You can't forget that much blood easily."

At that moment, a phone's ringing echoed throughout the mansion. After a few rings, it was silenced then Dean's voice exploded upstairs. Sam shivered in fear: the Master was beyond furious by the sound of it. He couldn't make out the words, but he somehow knew Dean was screaming louder than on the morning when Sam was caught smoking.

The shouting went on for quite a while. By the time it ended, Sam was curled up, his body shaking as he had to listen to such rage. After a brief pause a crash shook the ceiling, causing Sam to whimper. Mark pulled him closer, soothingly stroking the boy's back, mindful about the hurt shoulder.

"It's over" the young man whispered. "It's over…"

TBC

So, how was it? Good?

I'm gonna keep my promise, don't worry! I just need a little time to "make it happen" in my mind. :)

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See you at the next chapter!