A/N: Hello dear readers and welcome back to another case fic short story. The idea was given to me by Dargur. I expanded on it and came up with this. I want to thank VegasGranny for all her help and support. This is more a Sam centered story. I hope you enjoy the read. Reviews/Comments would be great. NC

Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of SPN, and this is my own creation. Any errors are my own.

Chapter 1

Sam Winchester glared at his father in anger. He was the youngest of the Winchester brothers and nothing like his older brother, who in his eyes was the 'Golden Child' to their father.

"Why do we have to do it your way?" Sam complained to his father in a huff.

"Because I know what's best," John Winchester snipped back looking to his son as he tried to control the irritation and frustration building inside of him. He didn't know what it was about his youngest son that seemed always to put them at odds with each other.

"How do you know that? What's the logical reasoning behind it."

"I don't like your tone with me Sam."

"You don't like anything about me," Sam snapped. "I've never been good enough at anything I've done. You don't listen to any of my ideas or thoughts. You're always pushing me, telling me I'm not meeting your high standards like Dean. My brother, he can do no wrong in your eyes. He's the good little soldier that always follows every order and command. Well, I'm not like him," Sam stated getting louder as he talked. "I have a mind of my own and can think for myself. I'm not obsessed with finding what killed Mom like you are. If there weren't photos, I wouldn't even know what she looked like. You and Dean won't even talk about her. Killing this demon is not going to bring Mom back…" Sam stopped talking as his chest heaved hard and watched John turn to look at him with rage filled eyes.

The slap came so quickly Sam didn't have time to react except to let his head jerk sideways and then stare in disbelief at his father. There wasn't the full force behind the slap because John wasn't aiming at hurting his son. He regretted it as soon as he did it seeing his handprint begin to form on Sam's cheek.

"I think this conversation is over," John growled out as he balled his hands into fists making himself control his anger.

"I agree," Sam answered holding back the tears that threatened to fall. He moved around the room grabbing his things and stepped into the bathroom for his bag, not once looking at his father.

"Where do you think you're going?" John demanded grabbing his arm in a strong grip.

"Anywhere but here," Sam replied pulling free from John's grip as he shouldered his bags and stomped for the door to the motel room. He opened it and ignored his father's terse words that followed him. Sam stepped into the parking lot and looked both ways, glad Dean hadn't got back with their food yet. He was sure Dean would try and stop him from leaving and he needed to get away for a while and let his head clear.

Sam walked to the office to see where the nearest bus station was and after getting directions, he started walking down the street. His mind was muddled, and he wasn't thinking straight. All Sam knew was he needed to get away from hunting, from his father, from this life. He was waiting for a letter that hopefully was his way out for him.

It suddenly occurred to him what he was leaving behind and faltered in his steps. He was leaving Dean behind, his big brother. An ache started building inside of him that had him almost doubling over from the anxiety and pain. What was Dean going to think when he got back and found him gone? What was he going to think of him? Would he be mad at him? He didn't want to hurt Dean like this and almost turned around to go back but something stopped him.

Dean had always been the referee when Sam and John went at each other, sometimes coming to blows before he could stop them. He tried to keep their arguments to a minimum and if it got heated got Sam out of the situation by separating him from their father. Dean had gone as far as taking Sam to Bobby's for a brief time and hunted with their father alone for a spell.

Sam blinked back the tears that brimmed in his eyes and squared his shoulders deciding he couldn't back down now. He had made a choice and had to stand by it. Sam continued toward the bus station and went inside to get a ticket on the next bus leaving. He didn't care where it was going, just that it would take him away from here. Sam was in luck there was a bus leaving in ten minutes and he bought a ticket. With that done, he headed outside and boarded the bus, slipping down the aisle until he found two empty seats and took them. He put his bags in the seat beside him and didn't worry about anyone needing the seat since the bus was only half full. Sam watched out the window and waited for the bus to pull away from the station as a tightness built in his chest. He was leaving his family behind and the only life he knew.

Spn

Dean unlocked the door and let himself into the motel room. He juggled the bags of food and drinks as he got the key from the lock.

"Foods here," Dean announced looking around the room and not seeing anyone. "Dad? Sammy?" he called again cautiously as he stepped further into the middle of the room.

"Good you're back," John told him stepping from the bathroom. "We should eat."

"Where's Sammy?" Dean questioned frowning at their father when he looked away.

"He's gone," John replied as he opened a bag of food.

"What do you mean gone?" Dean asked in a cautious voice took on an edge to it.

"He decided to leave."

"Leave? Why would he do that?" Dean paused for a moment as he worked out the situation in his head. "Did you have a fight again? Did you do something to Sammy?" he accused his father.

"We had a fight," John finally admitted. He rubbed his hand for a moment and didn't notice Dean studying him closely.

"There's more to it that you're not telling me. Isn't there Dad?" Dean got up and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" John asked him in a deep growl.

"To find my brother." Dean left and went to the Impala to go find the nearest bus station because he knew that is where Sammy would go. He knew his brother better than anyone, hell, even better than Sam knew himself. He was fuming that his father was being unreasonable with Sam and treated him the way he did. Dean just hoped he would find his brother waiting at the bus station and would be able to convince him to come back with him.