Author's Note: This chapter was such a pain to write . . . Still, I enjoy how it turned out. We get to see a bit of how much Bobby cares for Sam, something I wish we could see on the show. Ultimately, my goal for this story is to show Sam and Bobby's close relationship. I'm still not sure how long this story will go for, but I hope you will stay along for the ride!

"Running away, we'll do it.

Why sit around, resigned?

Trouble is, son, the farther you run,

The more you'll feel undefined.

For what you have left undone, and more,

What you've left behind."

—Into the Woods, "No More"

Bobby had forgotten how much Sam really ate. In the course of an hour, Sam had devoured an ice cream sundae and a huge salad—an odd combination really, but Bobby didn't mention it because the youngest Winchester just looked so damn happy. He kept turning to Bobby and thanking him practically every minute, eyes wide and bright, a huge grin plastered on his face.

"Uncle Bobby, thanks so much!" Sam chirped as he took the last bite of his ice cream. "You're the best!" Bobby chuckled dryly as the waitress fawned from afar over how adorable the young teen was. At 13, Sam hadn't hit his growth-spurt yet and was skinny as hell, but he had the cutest dimples and the prettiest eyes, causing all the ladies—regardless of age—to fawn all over him. While Dean would've used this to his advantage, Bobby knew the thought had never occurred nor would it ever occur to Sam. Those boys were as different as night and day, yet the bond they shared was nothing short of incredible.

"So, Sam," Bobby started, placing down the cash for the meal. "Ready to go?"

"Yes, sir!" Sam exclaimed, rising from the table and shooting the waitress a warm smile and the woman practically swooned and insisted that Sam come back whenever he wanted some more ice cream—on the house this time. Stifling a laugh, Bobby led Sam back to the truck and two got in and made their way back to Singer Salvage.

"Hey, Sam?" Bobby began carefully, unsure as to how to broach this subject.

"Yeah?"

"So, how'd you get here?" It wasn't really the question he had wanted to ask, but it was a start.

"I took a bus and then walked here." Sam explained simply, the smile still on his face.

"How'd you get the money for the ticket?" Bobby inquired.

"Saved it."

"Sam," Bobby's tone grew quiet and the youngest Winchester's smile slowly faded from his expression. "Why'd you run away?"

"I don't want to talk about this, Uncle Bobby." Sam replied, eyes darting to the ground, his voice full of worry and fear.

"Now, you listen here, Sam," Bobby began, determination flashing in his eyes. "Whatever you say, it'll stay between us, okay? I won't go to your daddy or Dean and tell them anythin', I promise you." He shot Sam a small grin and instantly the tension drained from Sam's form. "Now, why did you run away?"

"I don't want to be a hunter." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Sam curled up in on himself, as if he were expecting Bobby to go ballistic on him or something. Bobby grimaced as he could imagine what John's response would be to his youngest child's blatant rejection of their lifestyle.

"Why not?" He questioned softly, though he could guess the reasons why. Unlike Dean who had been born to be a hunter, it was clear that Sam was more suited for other things. The boy was smart—so smart that he could go to an Ivy League school one day—and Bobby knew that Sam really hated moving around so much. Sam wanted a normal life, complete with the white-picket fence and perfect lawn.

"I just . . ." Sam's voice trailed off and after a few seconds, he composed himself before finally finishing his train of thought. "I want to be normal, Uncle Bobby. I don't want to do this for the rest of my life. I'm not even good at hunting!" He exclaimed, waving his arms in the air for effect. "I mean, I'm slow and small and Dean is so much better! All I can do is research . . ."

"Nothing wrong with research." Bobby interjected with a smirk and Sam chuckled, knowing full well that Bobby did a lot of their research for their hunts.

"I know," He replied. "But Dad wants me to hunt forever and I don't want to!" Sam frowned and let his eyes gaze out the window. "I didn't want to hunt anymore. I was just so tired of it, Uncle Bobby, and I just had to get out. That's why." Touched by Sam's honesty and trust in him, Bobby reached out and gently squeezed Sam's shoulder. The young boy looked at him, stunned by the affectionate gesture.

"Here's the thing, Sam," Bobby began. "Running away doesn't solve anything."

"It doesn't?"

"Nope," Bobby shook his head dismissively. "Wanna know why?"

"Why?" Sam echoed.

"Cause that doesn't make the problem go away." He explained.

"But, I wouldn't have to hunt!" Sam told him.

"That's true," Bobby admitted. "But, eventually, your daddy or Dean would've caught up to you and then you'd be in even more trouble than you were before." Bobby shot Sam a cautious glance. "Did you even think about the people you'd be leaving behind if you just got up and left?"

"I was going to call Dean when I was settled." Sam mumbled defensively and the older hunter suppressed a chuckle.

"And you would've called your dad?" Bobby pressed, to which Sam had no response. "Thought not."

"You don't understand," He whispered. "You never ran away."

"I did," Bobby told him and Sam regarded him with wide eyes. "Once, I ran away. Managed to stay gone for a week."

"And then?" Sam pressed, clearly eager.

"My dad found me and dragged my ass back home."

"Oh."

"Listen," Bobby said. "I'm not sayin' that you have to be like your daddy and follow in his footsteps. I'm just sayin' that running away ain't going to solve anything."

"I get that," Sam mumbled, defeat evident in his tone. "It's just, sometimes I wish that it would, you know?"

"I know," Bobby answered, memories from his own horrible childhood swirling in his mind. "Believe me I know."

"Promise you won't tell, Uncle Bobby?"

"I promise." He swore, a smile once again on his lips

"Uncle Bobby?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry for suddenly showing up here." They had just pulled up to Singer Salvage and Bobby turned off the engine. The two sat in the truck in silence for a bit before the older hunter spoke up.

"Family ain't always related by blood, Sam," He said quietly. "And family will always take you in, no matter what. You remember that, alright?"

"Yes, sir." Sam replied. Satisfied, Bobby got out of the truck and two headed inside.

Sam had confessed so much to him today. The kid had admitted that he had needed a break and Bobby would give him one. That was all that was in his power now—talking to John would be out of the question and Sam would be upset if Dean found out the truth, so it now fell to Bobby to help Sam through this tough time. For as long as Sam was staying with him, there would be no talk of hunts or of research to be done. The two of them would do normal things and pretend that they were two ordinary people. But most of all, Bobby just wanted Sam to lay down his burden that had been imposed by his father and let him just be a child—even if it was only for a few days.

That was Bobby's greatest wish.

Author's Note: Next chapter, Bobby and Sam bond over doing things most people take for granted! Dean will also be in the next chapter. If you have a second, I'd love to hear what you think of this chapter so if you get a chance, please review! Thanks for reading!