AN: I hope everyone enjoys this chapter, the ending is definitely dedicated to Sammygirl1963... hope everyone likes it as much as she does! ;)
Dean stood there for a moment before turning to the rest of the Musketeers and demanded, "What the hell was that?"
Joseph had known right away that they should have sidetracked Dean and explained the new developments with Sammy, but the other man hadn't wanted to even take a moment to put his bag in his room, instead immediately going to little bro's room and ordering entrance. "Dean there's a few things you need to know, but man… you really need to sit down."
Looking around Dean could tell something had happened, which made him all the more determined to get in his brother's room and find out what was wrong. As soon as he turned to go in however Stephen blocked his way. "Seriously Dean, sit down. We need to fill you in before you get the kid even more upset than what he is. He barely eaten or slept since you left and the pain the kid's been in… well; let's just say it's not pretty."
"Ok, that's it… get out of the way Stephen. You say you want to talk, but all I'm hearing is stuff that makes me want to go through you to get in there." Dean said as he was about to make a move when he heard Taylor say something that took his breath away.
"Dammit Dean, Sammy's having visions!"
Stunned, Dean slowly turned wondering if he'd heard correctly. "What? Are you stoned Taylor, or just crazy?"
Sighing, Stephen steered Dean to the couch and waited until the other man had calmed down enough to actually have a conversation with him. "Dean, while you were missing something happened that made the Colonel call in a few favors and get the search and rescue team looking in a totally different area." He waited a moment to make sure Dean was still listening; they all knew that he wasn't one just to take a situation lying down. "Sammy had a vision, he knew they were looking in the wrong spot and was able to give Katie enough details that she was able to better pinpoint where you were."
Not knowing what to say, Dean nodded for the other man to continue, reserving judgment until everything was out in the open. Before Stephen could continue though, the door slowly opened and a very quiet Sam came out not looking at anyone. They watched as he went into the bathroom and heard the medicine cabinet open before the water tap was turned on. Dean started to grow impatient when he finally got a good look at his little brother walking out of the bathroom and felt his heart sink to his stomach.
"Sammy, God kiddo, you look like crap." Dean said, trying to sound lighthearted, but failed miserably as he noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the almost grey pallor of his complexion. Getting up from the couch, he guided Sammy back to the couch before he asked quietly, "They said you're the reason I'm home dude, that true?"
Sam didn't know what to say, so instead nodded slightly still not looking at either of his brothers.
Dean brushed the hair out of his brother's eyes and tried to see his face. "Sammy, I need to know what's going on. How can I help if I don't know what's going on?" Seeing the questioning look, he had to wonder just what was going through the kid's head. "Ok kiddo, here's the deal, I have no idea what's happening and you know how I hate being left in the dark, but I get that you're tired and probably need a few minutes to figure out how to tell me, so how's this… we all get ready and we go out for breakfast to start this celebration off right, ok?"
Having no idea what his brother was talking about, Sam just stared at Dean. It wasn't until he noticed his other brothers nodding in agreement that he really wondered what they were talking about. All he knew was he just wanted to forget this whole day and try to figure out what he was going to do next. One of the rent houses was already rented while the other still needed a few repairs and totally repainted, but was still livable.
Concerned, Dean and the others watched as their little brother seemed to lose himself to his own thoughts. Reaching out, Taylor put his hand on Sammy's shoulder and looked at Dean. "The visions are pretty painful and makes him pretty ill for awhile. Last night was the longest that he'd gone without one, right kiddo?" he asked, hoping that they'd get an actual response. When none actually came, he looked at the others hoping that someone else had an idea. Finally Dean had enough of the silence and slapped Sammy's knee as he stood and stretched.
"I don't know about you, but I'm heading to the shower. Sammy, why don't you decide where you want to go, my treat Birthday Boy!" he said, hoping to see a smile or at least some sort of acknowledgement.
Nodding, Sam got off the couch and made his way to the kitchen, leaving his brothers more worried than before.
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Sam stood at the kitchen sink trying to decide whether or not to try some toast so he could take his meds, but knew that at the moment his stomach probably wouldn't take too well to the idea. Changing his mind on the toast, he tried to ignore the conversation going on in the living room while he reached into the refrigerator for a small carton of milk.
Sitting at the table, he organized his medicine and sighed at the thought of having to take the pills for the rest of his life, especially the ones that normally made his stomach want to rebel. Realizing he was delaying the inevitable, he quickly took the pills in one swallow and finished the milk without taking another breath. With that chore done, he continued to sit there and listened to sounds of the quiet murmurings coming from his brothers. While he could hear their voices, he wasn't able to tell what they were saying, which actually was a relief to him as he could imagine Dean's reaction to have such a freak for a brother. Before he was just pathetic, but now he was the very thing that they'd been taught to loath and hunt; an abomination to all mankind that didn't deserve to live among normal people.
Thinking about the visions he had, he couldn't help but wonder what was happening to him and why. It wasn't as if he had asked for the ability to see into the future, into the possible deaths of others, and now if what happened earlier was any indication, he could move things with his mind. He hadn't meant to do it, but when the door crashed inward, he was instantly tossed back to another time, another place where locked doors were not allowed and in fact was punished. Now though he couldn't get the shocked look from his brother out of his face, and he wondered just how long it would actually be before he was asked to leave.
Taking a deep breath, he got up and walked towards his room, where as soon as he entered the living room, the conversation suddenly stopped. 'I really am a freak.' He thought sadly as he shut the door the best he could and started to change his clothes to try and face the day with some sort of dignity.
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Sitting in the living room listening to the others describe what had been going on with his little brother since he'd been gone, Dean felt as if he'd been sucker punched. Nothing seemed to filter through his brain except the fact that his brother had been suffering, and from what he saw, still was. Now the question was how they could help their little brother deal with what had happened before as well as whatever it was that happened just a little while ago.
Taylor had just explained how Sammy had refused to call Celia about some of his symptoms which not only worried him, but made him more that a little upset. The more he thought about it though, it made some sort of sick sense; it was probably the only thing Sammy felt he had control over at the moment, which made him worry all the more. He'd have to keep an eye out to make sure his brother better care of himself.
The conversation had lulled when Sammy walked through the living room and disappeared once again into his room. The apartment was instantly quiet as everyone mulled over what had been discussed and what that meant. Not liking the silence Dean looked at everyone and gave a nod.
"Alright, I need to talk to Sammy. How about everyone get ready and as soon as we get done then we'll head out of here." He said quietly, determined to find out what was going on. At first he was intent on just walking in, he thought better of it and knocked waiting until he heard a muffled answer before he walked hesitantly inside. "Hey kiddo, how're you feeling?"
Not sure how to answer, Sam turned and faced his brother before nodding slightly. "Ok I guess. I took my meds."
Dean nodded and continued to watch his little brother as he looked around the room as if he were either completely lost or trying to memorize everything as if it were the last time. "Sammy, what's wrong? You've been off ever since I got home and I have to tell you it's scaring the hell out of me. Are you really ok, or is there something else going on? I mean I know this wasn't how I planned to start celebrating your birthday but…" his voice died off when he saw the flash of panic in his brother's eyes and he wasn't about to let it go. "Sammy, what's going on? You don't want to go out for breakfast on your birthday, then that's ok, we'll do something else, just tell me so I know." Dean was starting to get frustrated when he heard his little brother's voice and once again tilted his world sideways.
"How much time do I have?" Sam asked, deciding it was better to get it over and done with now instead of waiting and dreading it all day.
Not understanding, Dean looked at Sammy wondering what he was talking about. Seeing that he wasn't going to get anymore out of his baby brother he knew he'd have to prompt more of an answer out of him. "How much time for what Sammy?" he asked, completely confused by how the conversation was going.
Looking at his brother, Sam wondered why this was so hard. "How much time until I have to leave."
"Leave? What the…? WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU LEAVE?" Dean exclaimed wondering just what was going on in his brother's brain. "Seriously dude, what the hell?"
Surprised, Sam could only stare at Dean for a moment and watched the variety emotions flicker across his brother's face before he answered. "I'm sixteen now, I thought that's what was supposed to…"
"Dude! What the hell… there's no way you're going anywhere! You're my little brother and whether you want it or not, you're stuck with me. I'm not letting you go anywhere until we're both old and grey do you understand me?" Dean asked, seeing the confusion on Sammy's face and wished he knew what had put that thought in his head. "Sammy, why would you think that?"
"You left after your birthday, and Dad… he left home after he turned sixteen, so I figured you'd want me to…"
"To what… just up and leave because of a damn number?" Dean asked, wondering how he hadn't seen this one coming. "Sammy, I left because I really thought it was best. I know it was the wrong thing to do, and I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you, but damnit Sammy, you can't really think that after everything that you don't belong here with us, do you?" Dean watched the confusion on Sammy's face turn to fear before he saw something else…hope. "Ah kiddo, I'm sorry. I really screwed this up didn't I?" He asked as he stepped closer to his brother and pulled him into a hug. "Don't ever think that we don't want you around, 'cause that's not true. In fact, we've been trying to figure out how to keep you from getting itchy feet."
Sam pulled back and looked at Dean questioningly. "Itchy feet?"
"Yeah man, you know one day you're going to want to go to college, get a place of your own maybe even get married. We've been trying to find a way to give you all that, but from here. We know that you're going to get tired of us, but we really just want to keep you around for as long as possible." Dean said seriously. It had been a topic he and the others had been tossing around for awhile, one that they all agreed was coming but no one had a solution.
Shaking his head, Sam returned Dean's hug fiercely. "I don't want to go anywhere Dean; I just want to stay with you for as long as I can."
Dean looked up and saw the others in the doorway. They had obviously heard the whole exchange and they looked as worried as he felt. Something was still rattling around in their little brother's brain, but at the moment none of them thought he was up to revealing it. Knowing that Sammy needed to eat or suffer the ill effects of his medicine, he patted his brother on the shoulder and smiled. "Ok, enough with the chick flick stuff, we have stuff to do and we're running out of time to do it. So c'mon little brother, get ready, it's time to head out."
Smiling, Sam nodded and grabbed his clothes before taking off to the bathroom for a quick shower, leaving his brother's to wonder what had just happened.
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Jenna knew as soon as Dean was on a plane home and couldn't help but feel happy for Sam. Even though she hadn't seen or spoke to him since the incident in the cafeteria, she still loved him and wanted him to be happy. Now though she had to wonder how he was especially today. She really wanted to go to his surprise party, but wasn't sure how she'd be received. Hearing her phone ring, she didn't hesitate to answer knowing already who it was.
"Hey Vic, have you heard the news… Dean's home!" she enthused, knowing that her friend would be just as happy for Sam as she was.
Vic had learned a long time ago to never try to out think Jenna. "Nope, didn't know but that's great news. Maybe Sam will be able to relax and enjoy his party later on. You are going aren't you?" Vic asked knowing that even though things were still a little unsteady between her and Sam, that he would definitely want to see her.
"You know I want to, but I can't… it's too soon. I'll still help you get everything ready, but I can't stay." She told her long time friend quietly, hoping that it was just her imagination that her voice was trembling.
"Uh huh… look, you can help and be there for his birthday. It's been a tough week for him, and you know it's going to get even tougher tomorrow. You know that loveable moron still hasn't told those brothers of his about the trouble he's been having at the track meets? So how about you give him as much happiness as possible today so he can face tomorrow without feeling all gloom and doom."
Knowing that Vic had a point, Jenna conceded with one exception. "Ok, I'll stay… but only if he wants me to… if he doesn't then you have to bring me home."
Silently congratulating himself, Vic was doing his own version of a happy dance as he spoke nonchalantly, "Sure thing Sweetie, anything you say. So, I'll pick you up in an hour and we'll get the rest of the stuff for the party."
Hanging up, Jenna knew that Vic would actually take and hour and a half before he showed up, giving her enough time to compose herself and send up a heartfelt prayer. "Please let Sam have a wonderful day, he deserves it more than anyone I know!"
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The Musketeers knew that their little brother liked San Diego, so they piled into Stephen's Suburban and surprised him with breakfast at a little restaurant located right on the beach. The expression on Sammy's face when they were seated on the outdoor deck close enough to feel the surf's spray was well worth the cost of the meals.
So intent on making sure that he enjoyed himself, they had completely missed the look of relief on little bro's face when they all were heading back to the SUV discussing the rest of the plans for the day. Suddenly, Stephen and Taylor were attacked from behind causing them at first to prepare for battle until they realized it was Sammy, and then it was a complete dog pile giving little brother a huge hug from his brother's matching his smile.
Sam couldn't believe his luck. It was his birthday, he wasn't going to be asked to leave, his brothers still wanted him around, and even was showing it in all their actions and words. He couldn't help but exclaim in the confines of the group hug, "This is the best birthday ever!"
AN: Hmmm... more questions than answers? Potential for more angst? Oh... and can big brother Dean keep from getting kicked out of Sammy's track meet? Yeah... you know you want to know! See you soon!!