"Why? Why do you treat us…? You think this makes up for…" Sam started.

John's stare silenced any protest Sam had. If that hadn't been enough the words the boy was about to hear would nearly floor him.

"Sometimes you are too smart for your own good. And it hurts like hell when you're right."

John gave him a sour smile, a brief glimpse that Sam had really hurt his Dad. It was the first time he confirmed John really did have feelings about something.

"You still need to learn some respect... I just want to protect you."

"DUDE! COME ON!!" Dean sprinted back in. He didn't wait for any argument or understanding to occur, not that he really noticed this moment. For the first time in a long time, Dean was exceptionally excited. His heart beat only to feel the car purring in his hands, and he practically dragged Sam out to his car.

When the rain stopped, the boys soon found themselves on a grassy plain, with water surrounding it in multiple mud puddles. The first thing Dean did was plant himself on the hood, lying on the Impala's sleek, and rain clean surface. He stared up at the night sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of the stars and moon. His neck had been straining on the drive over, watching the rain pour down from the grey clouds, but now the world was comfortable- cool, breezy, and clean- almost like a fresh start. Dean really loved the night. He was just in his element in the darkness. It was much easier to deal with monsters, creatures, and homicidal demon when no one was around to ask you what you were doing or call you a loony.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Since when do talk about anything?" Sam asked naturally.

"Suit yourself."

Dean felt bad that he had yelled at Sam after that fight. He knew Sam would never cause a scuffle if he could avoid it. The kneejerk reaction was to yell first and worry more.

"What's up with you?" Dean asked. "Anything new?"

"Nothing!"

"Its' going to rain again."

"Who cares?"

"I do."

"I have a car."

"Is that all you care about?"

"Okay, don't go all Maudlin on me… what the hell is up with you?"

"It's stupid sounding now."

A tense silence settled between the two boys, the only sound coming from a rumble of real thunder. A new storm was approaching them. Just then Dean saw the glimmer of a single star, faint through a smaller wisp of clouds.

"Dude, I so need to show you about stars… you can get direction by them."

"I know," Sam muttered, leaning again the passenger door, not looking at his brother.

"Oh yeah! I forgot… you're the genius…" He chuckled.

"Don't say that. Don't act dumb."

"I'm not." Dean offered calmly. "It's just easy to forget you don't need me so much. I use to have to help you with everything. Look, if you squint you can make out the north star."

Sam considered his brothers words for a moment and pondered if Dean was bothered by more than he ever realized. He started to speak, but Dean beat him to the punch.

"Are you going to stew down there all night or enjoy my car with me? Dude come on this is killer."

He blinked for a second, thinking about Dean's offer and he had to admit sitting down right now sounded heavenly. He scooted up, lying next to Dean, letting his head fall on the windshield.

"Dad would kill us if he saw us on the hood."

"Like Dad has to know."

"You tell Dad everything."

"Nope. You just think I do. Did I tell him about Tulsa and you and Missy…?"

"How did you know…"

"Dude, I wrote the book on girls… One… never tell them you love them- makes them psycho."

"What if you do love them?"

"Not possible… I haven't found it to be true."

"What about Mom…"

"Mom wasn't a girl… she was Mom… and special…"

"That's good logic."

"Anyway the second thing you need to know about girls… and listen cause this will keep you out of trouble…Don't tell them you are going to call... cause they will tell everyone else and you'll never see any…"

"I don't think I need…"

"So you might as well spill it… Were you out there trying to get some action? Is that why those guys jumped you? Were you making time with the cute cashier and the…"

"No. It wasn't like that. Just assholes….."

"Well, Dad is still going to punish us. We just won't know when."

"Who cares?" Sam fumed and jumped down. "And why should he punish you. You didn't do anything."

"Aww… come on…we're a team." Dean was brought out of his thoughts as his brother opened the door and deposited himself in his seat, slamming the door closed. Dean sat bewildered for a few more moments before leaping down, landing like he was in a James Bond film and hopping in the driver seat. All that was missing was the cool theme music. Starting the car and pulling out back onto the highway, Dean stepped on the gas pedal and floored it, heading towards the motel.

"You're certainly in a mood. I don't want you and Dad to fight when we get back, okay? Dad does his best to take care of us and…."

"But Dad doesn't take care of us. You take care of us. You always have! All Dad does is bark orders at us and never notices anything. He just shuts down." Sam sputtered and yelled, falling silent after his outburst.

Dean had to marvel at Sam's words. Taking care of Sam was his job- what his Dad wanted and what his mother would have wanted. He swelled with pride to have that honor. "Don't worry… you're not that much trouble. A pain in the ass, but you don't take up too much room." He chuckled, trying to make Sam feel better.

"That's not the point Dean."

"Seriously dude, Dad may not always remember the small things... but he loves us and protects us."

"Your birthday isn't a small thing." Sam muttered under his breath so low Dean strained to hear, but it was lost in the roar of the engine.

"Good excuse with the birthday thing…. Saved us a bigger punishment." He offered, changing the subject.

"It wasn't an excuse. That's what I was doing when you found me."

"You were getting your ass kicked."

"But that was after I……."

Sam shot him an annoyed look, but he was more annoyed with John and himself. Dean kept his stare on the road in front of him, casting sideways glances at his brother. He stared straight ahead, refusing to meet his brother's eye, hiding any emotional response deep inside. He hated seeing Sam so conflicted. "This was easier when you were 4. You were easier to make happy. And, dude, it's not like I care about birthdays anyway…"

"Birthday are supposed to be happy! You always celebrate mine. And this year I found out when yours was. You always hide it and I finally got the records. You shouldn't be so alone on your birthday."

"It's not important. I gave up on stuff a long time ago. I kinda expect it. We have too much to worry about other than party hats and cakes."

"But you once did. Dean….Dean I remember. Every year when I was little you use to tell me. It's not really a birthday if you don't celebrate with family. Like your best one. I remember."

"What are you talking about?"

"Did you think I would forget… like you did… You just quit having birthdays..."

"Forget what…" Dean played innocent, trying not to take himself where Sam was hell-bent on leading him. You were just dreamin' stuff up… don't worry about it. How bout some killer tunes?! You can even pick."

"No. I don't know how old you were, but I was really young. I had woke up from a bad dream… found you sitting in the corner and you…I had never seen you cry before. Scared the hell out of me. I crawled on your lap and you told me it was your birthday. We split a damn a Twinkie… blew out a match… then you told me about the best birthday you ever had and that you didn't need any more cause that one was perfect. Every year… you told me the story every year and then you just stopped."

"Cause I grew up." Dean's voice shook a bit.

"Dean," Sam muttered, drawing out his brother's name "It's not right. I just wanted you to have a new one to get back that day. The last birthday before Mom died. You told me how she surprised. She made cake and your favorite dinner…chicken and dumplings. That Dad helped you open your presents and he laughed. Dad doesn't laugh Dean. I thought… I thought…."

Dean slammed on the brakes, giving Sam a look that said don't go on. He turned off the engine and paused, needing to come up with some excuse on the fly. "That's enough. I was just a kid… it's all so stupid and important when you are that young."

Sam held an incredulous gaze on his brother. "That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard! You're human Dean and sometimes you need … you need …"

"I'm fine. Think we can start driving again and get home."

"Not yet. 'm sorry about your birthday… sorry I ruined it… Sorry I got in a brawl, sorry I fought Dad. You just seemed sadder and sadder all the time. I thought maybe I could give us all something good like Mom."

"You always do Sam. You can stop now."

"I tried to get you something honest. Maybe you think it's stupid, but…. I wanted to recreate that day for you. When Mom made you chicken and dumplings with a river of gravy. You said she was the best cook ever and that she got you lots of presents and made you a banner… Dad played air guitar with you. You got 4 matchboxes and took a marker to paint them all black. Mom kissed you a lot and you were mad cause you kept slipping off her lap."

"Cause you took it all... " Dean tried not to let his mind wander back to those happy days. "I appreciate the thought, but it's all over now. You don't have to worry about it."

"And she told you that I was coming soon. You told me I was the best present you ever got and that nothing would ever top that. Maybe Mom gave me to you so I could… I could be like her and make sure we have good times too."

"I thought she was getting fat… actually I thought she ate a watermelon. Shows what I knew."

"You said you were happy then… you and Dad and Mom and it was different… warm….I wanted you to have that back. So I got you some comics and a wallet for presents and I went to make the chicken and dumplings and things went nuts. I wanted to recreate that birthday…. And I had it all. Thought you would be so proud of me."

"I'm always proud of you."

"I had the food in my hands and it got ruined… look I promise…one day you'll have that day again…."

Sam dug the receipt out of his pocket, offering it as proof. Then he viciously shoved the wallet out for Dean, who just stared at the items like they were going to do a trick if he watched long enough.

"See I tried. I got it all for you."

"Really?" Dean questioned, glaring at the receipt in his hands, trying to not turn to a pile of mush in front of Sam. Dean sighed. Sometimes he forgot his brother was still just a 12-year-old squirt.

"Now it's all ruined. I screwed up…." He glanced up sharply, as if he was afraid to see how hurt Dean would be now.

Feeling sudden pangs of something Dean couldn't explain, he scooted closer to Sam and grabbed his little brother in a full on hug.

"Dean?"

"This is great Sammy… really… don't feel bad… this was….was…"

"But I messed up all of it…"

"No you didn't. That's not important…." Dean pushed away, collecting himself. After all 16 year olds were not supposed to be all sissy about such things. "This is more than enough. I needed a new wallet. Last one got chewed up by Bobby's bulldog."

"You mean it?"

"Yep…. It's perfect. But, you know what else my birthday needs?"

"Name it!" Sam eagerly listened. "We'll find it."

"Donuts!"

"You want a donut?"

"No…" Dean smiled as he turned the engine over and revved it, taking off fast down the highway before veering off into the nearest open field.

"These are donuts! Watch and learn little bro. Dad said I needed to teach you!"

He spun the wheel around as both he and Sam screamed, laughing like two fools.

"Dad is going to kill us. Stop…. You're going to get in trouble."

"Who says he needs to know." Dean offered, spinning faster until both of them were sure to be sick. Mud flew all over the place, covering the car's black exterior. Finally, he blared out rock music from the radio just for an added sensory effect.

"Happy Birthday Dean!" Sam screamed over the guitar riff, laughing as his body spun like it was out of control.

Author's Note: One more chapter and this one will close. Hope you have enjoyed it and love the wemo. Winchester +wee+ emo Wemo! Okay... that was dorky, but you know... a few reviews might knock the goofy right out of me. :D