Short A/N (the longer one is at the end)- I changed the font, so instead of the italics being the flashback, it's now the other way round.

Three Times

Chapter 2

Palo Alto, 2005

The second time Dean had to save Sam was just after the two had parted after they had completed their first hunt together in over 4 years. For Dean, it was the second time he had to save his brother from a fire, and in truth, it filled him with just as much fear as the first time.

Sam got out of the car, closing the door behind him. He leaned into the car, facing Dean.

"You'll call me when you find him?"

Dean nodded, not able to speak yet. Here he was, once again being separated from his brother. It seemed fate just didn't want the Winchesters to be together.

"Maybe I can meet up with you later, huh?" Sam asked.

"Yeah, alright."

It was a lie, and they both knew it. Hunting took them far and wide; the chances of him coming back to Stanford were very low. And even then, Sam probably didn't want his big brother hanging around him anymore. Sam had moved on with his life. He was happy, with a hot girlfriend (who Dean thought was way out of his geeky brother's league), and his life ahead of him. Why would he want a big brother to ruin all that?

Sam smiled rather sadly at Dean before turning around and started to walk up the footpath. Dean started the car.

"Sam!"

Sam turned back around.

Dean hesitated for a second before continuing.

"You know, we made a hell of a team back there."

Just like the old days, Dean wanted to say. You should come with me, Sam. Being a hunter is in your blood. But he didn't say it, because he wanted Sam to be happy. No matter what it cost him.

Sam grinned.

"Yeah."

And with one last look at his brother, Dean drove off.

He only drove a little way before parking again. To lose his little brother again hurt more than he had expected, and he needed a little time to recover. Dean glanced at his watch, wondering what the time was. Should I camp in here, or go to a motel, he wondered idly. It was then he noticed his watch had stopped. Dean frowned before shaking his wrist a little, wondering what had happened. He had only changed the batteries recently. The time on his watch didn't change, so he turned the radio on instead. However, all that came out was static. Dean tried changing the channel, but nothing worked. Suddenly, he had a gut feeling that something was wrong. He turned off the car engine, jumped out, and ran back to Sam's apartment. Something wasn't right, and even is Sam didn't need his older brother anymore, Dean needed to know that Sam was okay.

About a minute later, Dean was running down the corridor to the door of Sam's apartment. He could feel something was wrong, and as he neared the apartment, he started to feel warmer than usual. He reached the door and wrenched it open. Smoke billowed out straight away, engulfing him. Coughing at the sudden disturbance, Dean moved further into the apartment, looking for his brother.

Where's Sam? He thought frantically. He suddenly heard a cry. He moved towards the noise, which seemed to be originating from the same place as the fire. Oh God, please let Sam be okay, Dean thought. He reached the door to the bedroom only to see Sam lying on the bed, gazing up in horror at the ceiling.

"No," Sam moaned, still looking up.

"Sam! SAM!" Dean yelled. He followed Sam's gaze, his own eyes widening at the sight of a burning woman- Jess?- on the ceiling before pushing the thought out of his mind. He had to get Sam out. NOW.

Dean rushed over to Sam, yanking him off the bed.

"We gotta get out of here," he yelled, pushing Sam away from the bedroom.

"No! Jess! No!" Sam kept crying as he was pushed further and further away from the woman he loved. Finally, they got out of the apartment, and began running down the corridor. Sam wasn't protesting as much, but Dean still had to drag him. Dean was reminded of the last time he had saved Sam from a fire, so many years previously. As they emerged from the entrance to the building, each gripping the other, Dean recalled what he had said all those years ago, to comfort Sam.

"It's okay, Sammy," he said softly, echoing the words in his memory. Sam gazed at him with those soulful eyes, tears pooling. And Dean knew that Sam was hurting, that once again a woman that he loved had been ripped away from him by a fire- no, not just a fire. Because how could a fire put mum and Jess up on the ceiling? It didn't make sense, no goddam sense at all. For now, however, Dean was content. His brother was safe, and right now, that was all he cared about. The nightmares, questions and fears would come later.

After about five minutes, the fire brigade was already stopping the fire. Dean, who was standing and watching, turned around to see Sam sitting on the impala. Dean moved to join him, and once he was seated beside Sam, he had a startling flashback to another time, another place, where the remnants of his family had crowded onto the hood of the impala. He gripped Sam's shoulder and turned him around to face Dean.

Sam was crying, tears running down his cheeks, making tracks in the soot that covered his face. He gazed imploringly at Dean, as though begging him to take away the pain. But Dean couldn't think of a way how. And, despite Sam's despair at losing his girlfriend, Dean couldn't help but be slightly happy. He felt utterly wretched for it, but he couldn't help it. Sam would be back on the road with him. His family would once again start to mend. A part of him, a large part of him, was hurting because his little brother was hurting. Dean could never stand to see Sam upset. But there was still that small part of his that was rejoicing at the outlook of their future.

"You alright, Sammy?" Dean voiced gruffly. Sam sniffed.

"I loved her, Dean." His voice sounded so young and innocent, it nearly broke Dean's heart.

"I know man. I know." And that was all he could say.

The two brothers sat side by side on the beloved impala watching the fire being put out. Dean's hand was still resting on Sam's shoulder; Sam was leaning in slightly towards Dean, seeking comfort and protection in his time of weakness.

About twenty minutes later, when the last of the fire was being put out, Sam stood up. He moved towards the back of the impala, footsteps heavy. Dean also rose, but instead of following Sam, he headed towards an officer to ask if there was anything left of the apartment. He understood that Sam needed a bit of time to himself.

After asking an officer what the outcome was (nothing remained, everything had been burnt to a crisp), Dean began heading back to the impala, but stopped to once again look at the remnants of the apartment. He stood at the back of a crowd of people who had gathered, gazing thoughtfully at said apartment. As he gazed up, his mind wandered. Once again a fire had ripped through the lives of the Winchesters, threatening to end the life of them, and changing their course of destiny. It seemed it was the duty of fire to set the path the Winchesters were to take.

Dean turned his head towards Sam, who was doing something in the trunk of the impala. Once Dean had walked over, he saw that Sam was loading their guns, and adjusting their weapons. Dean stared at Sam, and Sam raised his head to look at Dean. In Sam's eyes, Dean saw sadness and vulnerability. But he also saw determination and resolve. Sam raised his chin.

"We've got work to do."

That was the second time Dean saved Sam from a fire. Once again, a life was lost. However, that wasn't the end. There was one more fire that Dean would have to save Sam from, and that time shook Dean up the most.

A/N: So, this was a lot longer than I expected. I'm not sure how happy I am about it, so I would really appreciate it if you would drop in a review and tell me how it is. Seriously, I would be content with a 'good' or 'bad', although longer reviews are more helpful. Anyway, please review. And I hope you enjoyed it!