Sam swallowed hard as the second ring echoed in his mind, his gut twisting with anxiety and his palms beginning to dampen with sweat. He heard a click and a soft shuffling, a rough voice, gruff and worn with age, spoke sternly.

"Hello?"

Sam sucked in, every emotion coursing through his mind as Bobby Singer's voice rang in his ears. He stood for a moment, unsure what to say.

"Hello?" The voice repeated, more annoyed this time.

Sam gulped and took a breath, desperately trying to find words.

"…Bobby?" The voice was a whisper, Sam felt hot tears prick his eyes and his throat tighten.

There was a pause, a quietness that made Sam think Bobby may have hung up, been then the soft sound of a deep breath made him know his old friend was still there.

"Sam? That you son?" Bobby asked quietly, almost afraid he may loose Sam if he spoke to loud.

"Yeah…I…I need your help, Bobby. Please." Sam finally managed, the image of Dean flashing for an instant, aiding him in pulling the words together.

"Where you at Sam?" Bobby spoke softly again.

Sam thought, a quick flash of the sign he had seen coming in showing in his mind.

"Montville." Sam said simply, not knowing the state or what else to say.

"I'll be there as soon as I can Sam, you just sit tight, alright?" Bobby asked, Sam already hearing a shuffling in the background as he seemed to grabbing things.

"Okay." Sam said, unsure of what else to do.

He slowly closed the phone, staring at it as his mind rolled over the thoughts on what to do next. He had no idea where the courage to call Bobby had come from, or they strength to finally ask for help, but he silently thanked God for it.

"Get a hold of your friend?" The friendly voice made him jump in surprise, he had forgotten Amy was standing there.

He handed her the phone, only chancing a look into her eyes befor returning his gaze back to the ground. Nodding he bit his lip nervously, unsure of how to thank the kind girl for all her help.

"My parents own the diner just around the corner, you want to come wait for your friend there?" Amy asked with eyebrows furrowed in concerned.

It had been a long time since Sam had interacted with anyone so kind, and he truly didn't know how to react beside staring at the ground and shrugging. The truth was, he'd love to come to the diner, get some food and try and once again become normal.

"You look like your hungry, and I dunno if you want it, but my dad's about your height, he wouldn't mind sparing a few clothes." She looked at him with warm, welcoming eyes that he could no longer refuse.

He looked at her with hurt eyes, tears brimming the lids as he choked out two words.

"Thank you."

With a nod and warm smile, she led him out of the ally and into the light of a new world

xXx

Sam had never tasted anything so delicious in his life. Ketchup smeared his now clean face, grease dripping off his chin as Amy watched him with a wide grin.

"Glad ya like the burger, they're my favorite too." She laughed lightly, picking at her own fries.

Sam nodded slightly, unsure of how to really react once again. Amy had kindly led him to the apartment above the restaurant, it wasn't used by anyone but was in tip top shape and at the ready for any guests.

She had given him clothes that a tad to big, but clean and soft and smelled of detergent with lilac fabric softener. He had followed her around like a zombie, not saying a word or making eye contact, just nodding and watching with eyes shadowed by long bangs.

He couldn't remember the last time he had taken a real shower, but once the hot water his flesh and streamed down in warm drops he wondered why he had ever refused. He lavished in the comfort of the water and its relaxing persuasive ways for a half hour, bubbles that smelled of spring cleaned away the sweat, dirt and blood. He closed his eyes and let the liquid run over tired eyes, softening the muscles tightened by stress and anxiety. Once the bubbles swirled down the drain and he was clean for the first time in months, Sam stepped out and dried himself off with a equally wonderful fluffy, soft white towel.

Clean and dry he pulled on the clothes, new boxers straight from the package, almost new jeans that sagged on his thin waist and a shirt that hung on a frail frame. He glanced around the tiny bathroom, the white slightly reminding him of the hospital, but the mood relaxing him with its hominess. He caught sight of the foggy mirror, the realization that he hadn't seen himself in moths making him take a step forward in curiosity.

He raised a hand toward it, scared to wipe away the fog that covered it and reveal what he looked like to the world. Eyes flashing once more around the room out of habit he quickly swiped it clean, shocked to see such sunken dark eyes staring back, a haggard and round face surrounding those, all with much to long hair falling around his face and to his shoulders.

He looked away, ashamed of what he had become and imagining what Dean would think of this. He brushed away the thoughts though and grabbed the new tooth brush Amy had gotten him, squeezing the strong smelling toothpaste on it he got to work on his teeth.

"You want anything else?" Amy's voice brought Sam back from his thoughts, nearly making him jump.

"No…thank you." He said softly, his eyes only glancing up quickly before returning to the nearly empty plate.

She nodded and got up, saying she'd be right back as she headed over to her brother who had just walked in. Sam watched them beneath his bangs, feeling a smile tug at his lips as they argued in the same manner Dean and him had always done.

He faintly heard the rumble of an engine, one so familiar he couldn't ever forget it. The image of a shining black beast of a car flashed in his mind, the Impala in it's prime as it roared down the highway with Dean and Sam tucked inside.

Sam's eyes went wide and he turned his glance to the window, seeing the car he had thought of only moments ago, crawling down the main street. His heart leapt with joy, because everything that was that car, represented Dean, and maybe, just maybe, since the car was alive so was Dean.

He'd pull up in the evening light, the sun setting behind him as he got out with a cocky grin and popped his collar, he'd come up to the diner and order some apple pie, wave to Sam and say he was sorry for being gone so long. He and Sam would have a laugh, would get back to business and they'd carry on like nothing happened, get back in that old car and eat up the miles, happy to just be side by side once again.

The dream shattered though as an older man got out of the car, only his silhouette visible in the twilight that settled around the small town. He was shorter then Dean, a gruff beard visible and a baseball cap fit on tight with longer hair peeking ou from beneath it. He started toward the diner, a slight gimp as he went until he came to the door and opened it, the light hit him and Sam straightened in realization and fear, his eyes widening and nostrils flaring. A long scar ran up Bobby's arm and a crescent moon shape decorated his cheek, he looked up and his eyes met Sam's, pain and relief both shining on them as he started toward him.

They paused and looked at one another, Sam's glance quickly tearing away, a heavy hand fell on his shoulder and Sam could feel the tears welling as it did.

"Good to see ya again, son."