"That's impossible! My brother is not a sociopath…" Sam is flabbergasted. "And while he's pretty well-adjusted considering…well, he's been through a lot lately." He turns to Dean, eyes searching the young face that's ducked down trying to hide from scrutiny.
Cas clears his throat. In a voice even deeper than usual he begins to interrogate Dean. "Dean, explain. Did you research the types of tests you were facing? Did you manipulate the results?" Dean squirms deeper into his seat, shooting quick glances at Doctor Davis. He doesn't want to have this discussion in front of her, his eyes beg Castiel to leave it alone.
Doctor Davis is unmoved by his display. Attempting to manipulate the test is a something a sociopath might do, so is feigning embarrassment after getting caught. With a family history like this boy's in front of her, his mother's death in a house fire when he was four, his father's death in a car accident the boy was involved in, his emotional responses were too normal. His eyes, however, are more expressive than most sociopaths – at least at this young age. Sociopaths who become con-men do learn to mimic emotional responses, so there is no absolute.
"What do you have to say for yourself," Doctor Davis demands, her voice insistent of truth. "Did you attempt to manipulate the test?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Dean's voice is trembling.
"Why?"
His face is flushed and his eyes are darting around trying not to meet any of the other pairs of eyes trained on him, but he takes a deep breath and sits up straighter, squaring shoulders still boyishly narrow and lifting his chin. "All I've got left is Sammy and Cas, Ma'am. I was afraid that CPS was going to try to take me away. And that's not right because they'd never hurt me – all either one of them wants to do is help. And, and, it's not their fault if I don't wanta talk about stuff." He runs out of steam and bites his lower lip to stop it from quivering. Damn these kid emotions, he thinks.
Cas puts his hand on Dean's shoulder, squeezes where it meets his neck gently. Dean ducks his head, but he doesn't pull away, accepting the silent show of support. The doctor makes a mental note that their godfather seems to be protective.
Doctor Davis studies the red-faced boy. "Why don't you want to talk about it? It could help."
The look he gives the doctor is one that speaks of old pain, too old for a face so young, but the doctor assumes it comes from losing his mother at so young an age, but when he was old enough to remember the difference it caused in his life. "Ma'am, talking doesn't change anything." His voice cracks a little and he shrugs off Cas's hand to straighten in his chair. He pauses to get his face and voice under control, swallowing down the emotion. "No amount of talking brought back my mom, and it won't work with my dad. I've just … I just can't lose anybody else. Not if I can help it."
So, not a sociopath, and not as well-adjusted as he wants the world to believe, she thinks. "You can't hide all your feelings and pretend to be okay, Dean. It's not a healthy way to cope." Doctor Davis is interrupted by a sound that's somewhere between a sob and a snort.
"That's what Sammy's always saying." Dean betrays himself with a sharp snuffle and manages to turn redder.
Doctor Davis turns her eyes to the taller brother, putting him on the spot. "How are you coping?"
Sam considers the question for a moment. "It's been a big adjustment, and, well, I've been more concerned about Dean than me. And than this stuff came up with Child Protective Services … I don't want to lose my brother. I'm trying to do the right thing." He gives a soft huff and a wry smile. "I guess as well as can be expected is my answer."
"You're pretty young to take on the responsibility of raising a child, especially a bright, somewhat manipulative one like your brother. What about your own life? Your own plans for the future, for finishing college?" She's surprised by how red Sam turns. "If you are going to do this, you will have to put your brother's needs before your own."
Sam answers her softly but with underlying steel in his tone. "I had a great role model for how you have to put the needs of the younger person first." He clears his throat before continuing to talk – the doctor assumes about their father. "I may never be as good or unselfish, but I want the chance to try."
Doctor Davis shuffles her paperwork. She calls Dean's name and waits until he makes eye contact, noticing his eyes have dark circles beneath them. "Are you sleeping okay?" He shakes his head and admits that he has nightmares. She jots a prescription for sleeping pills, hands it to Sam.
Sam asks about any other findings, and Doctor Davis says his brother's physical exam was fine except for the injuries from the car accident. She says the doctor was surprised at the tattoo, but she accepts the pre-arranged story. "He also said your brother has a strange birthmark, but no indication of abuse. He's a little bit underweight, and I expect to see that change."
Handing Sam a file with copies of various test results, she continues. "Well, then. I will complete my report to Child Protective Services. I am going to recommend that your brother attend school – upper level high school at most. He needs to be around people closer to his own age." She gives Dean a stern glance when he makes a soft protest. "I've sent copies of these education and IQ test results with you."
Sam nods his head, worrying his bottom lip, knowing that Dean would not go quietly. She gives him a stern look. "We will be expecting a call from a school before Friday. He is recovered enough to be enrolled." Cas murmurs that he'll make sure of it.
"I'm also recommending that he attend grief counseling – a group setting would be fine. It would hurt for you to attend either, Sam." Doctor Davis hands Sam a list of agencies with times and places of group meetings. She turns to Cas. "I'm glad they have a caring older man in their life, Mr. Moore, and I gather, as their godfather you will take care of their spiritual needs. Please, don't hesitate to call if you have any questions." Cas takes her proffered card with a low thanks.