Sleep evaded Dean when he finally crawled into bed after taking a shower in the tiny bathroom, the events of the evening preying on his mind.

The boy sleeping fitfully on his worn couch wasn't by any means the first waif he'd dealt with. The foster home had been full of sad-eyed children.
Dean, although in the self-same position himself, had always forced himself to smile and console the younger kids, but somehow this was different.

Huffing to himself, Dean wondered how in the space of a few hours he'd turned into the mom of a kid he knew nothing about and who'd probably be gone in the morning.

:

The aroma of fresh coffee assaulted his nostrils when he came to the next morning, daylight peeking through the shades.
It took Dean a moment to regroup, sleeping for barely an hour, as his bedside alarm informed him, left one a little confused.

Sam!

He threw off the covers and padded barefoot into the kitchen.

The boy was standing at the sink, washing up the dishes from the night before, a pot of newly brewed coffee on the counter.

A warm feeling filled Dean at the sight.
So the boy hadn't fled during the night after all. The idea that Sam had trusted him enough to remain, made him happy.

:

"Hey, squirt. You sleep okay?"
"Uh..yeah.. Thanks."
The kid turned to face Dean, his shaggy hair flopping over his eyes. "I made some coffee—if that's alright," he added in an unsteady voice.

"It's not just alright, it's life saving, " Dean grinned. "It's the first time in a long while I haven't had to make it on my own."

The boy ducked his head, poured a generous cup and set it before the older man, followed by a plate of pancakes. "I found the eggs and thought you might be hungry."

"Dude, you are awesome. This sure makes up for stowing away in my car last night."

The boy gave a half-smile. "Uh. Yeah. Thanks for letting me sleep here. I'll get out of your hair just as soon as I get back into my clothes."

:

"Listen kid. There's no rush. Like I said last night. I gotta go to work, but you can hang out here until I get back. Then we can talk some more.
It's not my business, but at a guess, you need a place to stay and and regroup. Here's just as good as any.
And I gotta say you make a mean coffee too. " Dean said. "What do ya say?"

:

Sam hesitated, unsure whether volunteer any information. "Look...uh .. Dean. There's someone looking for me, " he finally said. "And they won't be happy if they find out you've helped me. They could hurt you..."

Dean felt his anger mount at the thought than anyone could harm this gentle kid. But clearly someone had, going from the multicoloured bruises he could see on Sam's wrists. The kid had stumbled into Dean's life, that made Dean part of whatever was going on.

"I can look out for myself," Dean declared. "Foster kid, remember! I want to help you Sammy. You can stay here as long as you need to.
If you decide otherwise, I can't stop you from leaving while I'm at work but I really would like you to trust me, I only have your well-being at heart.
A kid like you shouldn't have all this crap to deal with. So I'm asking you officially. Please stay."

When the kid gave a quick nod, Dean felt himself relax.

::::::::::::::::::

:::::::::::::::::::
As he made to enter the garage to start work, Dean's cellphone pinged. It was the cougar from last night, telling him to keep his agenda free for Friday.

Huh, Dean grunted. Her husband must be off again at the weekend. All to the good. Now that he had a guest, any extra cash was welcome.
He smiled to himself. He wouldn't be going back to an empty house, not tonight.

:

:

Sam pottered around the small apartment, tiding up, all the while wondering if he was doing the right thing by sticking around.

But he was so scared, tired and hurting.
When he'd had the chance last night, he'd run, thankful for the blinding rain that had kept Dave from spotting him. And when the black car had appeared like a mirage, he'd crawled quickly in back, hoping the owner wouldn't notice.

Wherever it went was fine with Sam as long as it took him away from Dave.

:

He absent-mindedly rubbed at the bruises on his wrist.
Dave liked to tie him down. He got drunk on power, on dominating Sam's young body.

With a shiver, Sam knew he was still alive only because Dave had a perverse crush on him, treating him better than the poor kids who'd gone before.
For there HAD been other kids. Sam had heard Dave on the phone talking with whoever it was that dealt with getting rid of the previous victims.

When Dave had incautiously left him free, Sam had grasped the opportunity, knowing he'd never get another.

:

He sighed. Though he wanted to remain, he knew Dave would take his revenge on Dean if he found out the older boy had helped him. He'd have to leave, but not today.

Dean wanted him to stay and he would, for a short time, just long enough to come up with a plan to distance himself as far as possible from Dave.
tbc