Warnings and disclaimers: See chapter 1

Many thanks to CorieHall for the beta on this story.

Chapter 10 Chasing their tails

Sam's eyes bored into the back of his father's neck as they strode through the back blocks of factories in the industrial area which Dean had gone missing. He and John had argued at length that morning because John had wanted Sam at school where he deemed it to be 'safe' rather that looking for his missing brother. Bobby had finally showed up in the afternoon and they had gone over the area Dean had been taken again with no more results than they already had. Bobby agreed with their assessment of what had happened to the younger hunter and suggested they separate to cover more ground but made sure John understood he was not to leave Sam alone under any circumstance.

Sam was able to search on the Tuesday with Bobby rather than John. They had gone over the area again then headed south along the northern edge of the river bank. They stopped at lunchtime and sat on the bank eating sandwiches Bobby had the foresight to bring with him.
"Sam did John or Dean search the southern side of the river? I notice there are a few factory buildings over there as well."
"Dean actually wanted to search there but dad said no. You think there might be something over there?"
"Just by looking at the maps makes sense to me. I wonder if John looked there without Dean knowing."
"Maybe. He seems to keep things on a need to know basis these days."

Bobby could hear the hostility behind Sam's words. He knew John and his youngest were not getting on that well these days so it didn't surprise him that Sam was venting to him. Maybe that was why he wanted to go with him that day. That and the fact Bobby was keen to spread the search out after so long with no sign and John wanted to keep the search to the area Dean was taken.
"Do you think Dean is alright Bobby?"

It didn't escape Bobby how Sam sounded all of five when he voice the words he had been wondering for four days.
"If anyone has a hope of getting out of this it's Dean, Sam. Remember all the training you have done with your dad?"
Sam nodded.
"What's the rule when separated from the rest of the family?"
"Do whatever it takes to survive," Sam answered confidently. Dean had been the one to drum that into his head. Dean: survival techniques. John: battle techniques.
"And what is the rule for the other members?"
"Never give up looking until we find a body." Sam's lip quivered a little but he kept his resolve.
"So we keep looking and Dean does what he can and you know Dean will do whatever it takes to get back to you Sam. He loves you and he knows you will kick his ass if he doesn't."

Sam laughed softly despite the circumstances. "Right. I kick Dean's ass. Dean kicks everyone's ass."
"Yeah he does. Always remember that Sam. Dean has become a fine man and a hunter in his own right."
"Dad doesn't think that." Sam said sullenly.
"He does think that even if he doesn't say it. John was never one to read the writing on the wall. Dean has surpassed him in a lot of ways and it worries John how good Dean is because he thinks he may want to go off on his own. It terrifies him to have you boys where he can't keep an eye on you."
"It didn't stop him leaving us alone to hunt."
"Because he knew he had Dean to look after you. I don't condone the way John bought you up at all Sam but he does love you and worry about you both. That alone is the reason why he can't leave that area that Dean was taken in. He lingers there in case he has missed something important. Something he knows Dean would never miss."
"I guess." Sam could see Bobby's point but it didn't bring them any closer to finding Dean.
Bobby sighed at Sam's unhappy face. "Let's keep looking kid."
They went back to work.

The next day Sam was sent back to school so social services didn't come calling. He hated every minute of it. Joe found him soon after he arrived and Sam gave his books back with an apology for the late couple of days. Joe didn't seem to mind but wanted to know why he wasn't at school. Sam was fairly short with him telling him Dean was missing without thinking. Joe was sympathetic and wanted to know if he or his family could help. Sam was so used to having to work things for themselves that the surprise showed on his face. Joe told Sam he would talk to his parents and let him know if they had heard anything.

Joe came to see Sam several times that day asking him a few times if he was okay. Sam was grateful for a friends understanding the first couple of times but it came so often it started to sound a bit fake to Sam's ears. He was reminded strongly what Dean had told him about hunters not offering themselves easy and how he had an uneasy feeling about Joe the moment he laid eyes on him. Sam tried to be more observant of Joe for the rest of the day without him knowing and found the boy looking at him closely when he thought Sam wasn't looking. Sam decided to talk to Bobby about it that night.

TBC