FIRST OFF:

thank you to all reviewers & followers & favorites

it means a whole of a lot to me.

Without further delay:

Of Werewolves And Humans

Chapter 8 ~ Memories

THEN:

After a long time the man in his lap started to relax and his breaths evened out. His heartbeat slowed down again. It nearly looked like he was asleep, wouldn't it have been for his open eyes.

NOW:

They stayed like that for a long time. - Just like that. Sam laying under the comforter, curled up, his head resting in Dean's lap. Dean stroking over his hair ever so gently, mumbling reassuring things. Hoping that Sam would drift off to sleep sooner or later.

But he didn't. His eyes remained open, staring into nothingness.

„Sam. - I'm going to clean up the floor and get you another plate.", he whispered, resting his hand on Sam's head. „Okay?"

Sam didn't react. Didn't move.

The older Winchester slipped out under the man's head and placed it on a soft pillow. Then he got the paper-towels from the kitchen and cleaned up the floor. Stealing glances at the man on the bed every now and then. When he left the bedroom again, with the chunks of fruits wrapped up in a paper towel, he spotted his father in the kitchen.

„You boys alright in there?", John called out, turning around to see his son.

Dean nodded. „Just an accident. - He skipped the plate, have to get another one."

John watched his son tossing a bunch of paper-towels into the garbage. „You asked him? - If he remembers us?"

Dean nodded again. „I don't know if he does. - But i've the feeling that he remembers me. He held me back for a moment when i wanted to leave – but it didn't last long before he pulled back again." He frowned, biting his lower lip pensively.

John just smiled at his son, seeing the inner fight that was obviously going on. „I guess that's a win. - So … a new plate you said?" And John started to chop fruits, he took from a small basket on the kitchen-counter.

Dean stepped beside his father and started to strip down a banana and a tangerine. With the newly filled plate, he went back into the bedroom, crawling onto the bed beside Sam.

„Look.", Dean whispered. „Got a new one." He smiled as Sam looked up at him sleepily.

Maybe it was truly THE Dean Winchester. Maybe they had really known his mom … then they also knew his dad. And when they knew his father, they'd know what a worthless whore he was. What a bad deal they had made with the shifter who had him before.

Sam sat up slowly and leaned back against the headboard of the bed. He watched Dean warily as he placed the plate in his lap again and frowned at it. He looked at Dean and then at the lap again. Sam hesitantly took one of the roughly shaped banana-bits and took it into his mouth. Chewing it slowly, letting the taste caress his tongue and whole mouth.

„There you go." Dean gave him a bright smile and watched him eat, stealing some chunks in between from the tangerine (Sam didn't seem to like them anyway). „If you're eating these I could imagine that a peanutbutter-banana-sandwich wouldn't do you any bad tomorrow then."

Sam stole a glance at him, stuffing a bigger piece of a melon into his mouth.

Six days passed …

… and Sam did better – at least physically. The gashes on his back were healing good, the bruises were fading. He still didn't eat as much as he has been supposed to. He still didn't ask things. He still called Dean „sir". Sam still didn't leave the bedroom. He laid in bed or sat by the window, staring outside.

He was a shadow of himself.

Dean had to think about the thirteen year old a lot lately. He had to think about how bright and sparkling Samuel's eyes had been and about the world's cutest dimples when he had smiled. But this Sam. This Sam wouldn't smile. Not even a little bit.

On the bright side: He started to trust the younger Winchester. Seemed to understand that he would do nothing bad to him. That he wouldn't punish him for „failures".

And Dean told him some of their stories from these couple of months, when they had spent time together. And Sam would listen. - He always listened. But didn't ever say anything.

Sometimes during the nights, Sam curled up against Dean, holding onto his shirt like for dear life. Sometimes he'd bury his face in the younger Winchester's chest so hard, Dean was afraid he'd suffocate himself that way.

When Dean wasn't home and at the Salvage, John kept his eyes on the young human. When he slept he brought food and something to drink. When he was awake, he'd sit or lie beside him in his wolf-shape. John was sure that Sam knew what and who he was. Though he still handled it that way, since the human seemed to be way more comfortable around him like this.

Sheriff Mills had been at the Salvage again, getting her car checked. She had told Bobby that they got the guy that had spied on her – a shifter. He had killed one of the deputies a couple of weeks ago and had taken his place.

That was probably why they had known that there'd be a razzia. - The bad thing about this was, that the shifter knew about the Winchesters. Not about Sam – since it was just Jody who knew about the survivor – but though … it still left an unpleassant feeling behind.

In case that there was still their boss out there, he'd know about them. Knew about the Werewolves that protected the town. Knew where he had to go if he seeked revenge for blowing up their business.

Sam nestled into the other male's embrace. Warm puffs of air warming the tiny space between him and Dean. He slung an arm around the werewolf's middle and groaned uncomfortably. One of the many signs that his dreams weren't as peaceful as they should've been.

Dean tugged him closer, tightened his hold gently and buried his nose in the dark mop of hair. Drawing in a deep breath thru his nose, taking in the scent of cheep shampoo and Sam.

„You're with me, Sammy.", he muttered hoarsely, not opening his eyes. „You're safe." The younger Winchester brushed upwards on Sam's spine, over his neck and buried his fingers in the younger man's hair, cupping his head's back protectively.

Sam shifted, laying the right side of his head against Dean's chest, feeling the calming rise and fall of his ribcage, the gentle thumps of his heart. Dean pulled the comforter up, over Sam's shoulders and neck, so that just a roughed up mop of hair was visible anymore. Shielding him from the clinging cold.

The youngest among the werewolves glanced at the watch on his wrist with one eye open and growled silently. It was short past six in the morning and still dark. Very soon it'd be snowing like crazy. Soon they'd have to get settled on the Salvage – He had already talked to Bobby.

John had agreed to go with them, since it seemed like he didn't want to stroll around on his own anymore. - At least not like he had loved to years ago.

Now was the only thing they had to get cleared up was HOW they were supposed to go there. Sam hardly left the room. Except he had to visit the toilet. Other than that he started to panic every time, Dean tried to lure him outside.

Dean heard the human's heartbeat quicken a little and felt him stir. „We don't have to get up yet.", he muttered silently. „I don't have to be anywhere today."

Sam rubbed his nose against Dean's chest and sniffed. His throat was tingly and he couldn't hold back a cough. The younger Winchester kept his eyes closed but frowned as he heard the raspy sound Sam made as he cleared his throat. - The last thing they needed that he'd get sick.

A shiver tore down Sam's spine and let him shake for a moment. Then he inched even close (if possible) and pressed himself into the other man, making a happy noise.

As Sam had fallen asleep again (what haven't last long), Dean got up from the bed, pulling two blankets over the comforter to keep Sam warm. He got a bile of logs from the porch and made fire in the fireplace in the living room and started to prepare everything for breakfast, since Bobby said he'd come by this morning … to have a look at their mental case.

Dean prepared the batter for pancakes and chopped some strawberries, since Sam seemed to like them a lot. Then he took an extra long shower and got himself fresh clothes. While getting dressed, he switched the coffee machine on.

And when he was done with all of this he went back into the bedroom, crawling under the covers again and gathered the humans in his arms with exquisite tenderness. Sam nestled immediately into his chest, giving a low purring noise of comfort.

Dean smiled satisfied and placed a gentle kiss on Sam's head, brushing long bangs back behind his ear. Sam high likely didn't trust him yet – at least not enough. But he obviously wasn't that afraid of Dean anymore. What had to count as a win.

The delicious scent of bacon lured Dean out of his light slumber. Slowly he blinked his eyes open, tightening his hold around Sam for a moment, as if his mind needed the reassurance that he was where he belonged. Right beside him.

Sam blew out a long-drawn breath and yawned, rubbing the side of his face on Dean's chest. He sniffed – again.

The younger Winchester frowned. Ellen had said he would have to give him the antibiotics if he started to cough. - Probably today it'd be time for, since Sam still didn't inhale deep enough because of his cracked ribs. Pneumonia was the last thing the human needed right now. - Not on top of everything else.

„You feelin' okay?", he asked hoarsely and fondled Sam's hair.

„Yes, sir.", he answered and blinked up at the other man with big eyes. His voice was slightly raspy.

„Fine." … well he didn't believe him anyway. „Figured we should get some fresh air after the breakfast, huh?"

„Yes sir.", Sam answered.

Since Sam wouldn't show any need to leave the room, he probably had to push him a little. - Sam was doing better physically and maybe some fresh air would do him some good in the end too. Getting in contact with his father in his human form was another thing Dean wanted him to get used to. He wanted him to get used to so many thing and had to remember himself all the time to take it slow. To not push too much.

Sam snuggled closer, soaking in the warmth and comfort he gained from the body next to his. He knew he couldn't trust the man. He knew it. And though there was nothing more he wanted to. Trusting someone. Being loved no matter who he was. He wanted to trust Dean all the more, since this Dean was THE Dean.

Dean sighed and stroke over Sam's forehead and temple down over his yaw until he reached his chin. He guided his face up, until their looks met. The younger Winchester smiled softly at him. „Told you I want you to call me Dean.", he whispered and rose both of his eyebrows.

Sam nodded, big hazel-green eyes staring up in his. He remembered those eyes. He remembered the deep green sea bound in circles ever since. Sam hadn't thought he'd see them ever again. See Dean ever again. But the both of them were different now. They weren't teenagers anymore. Hell, Sam didn't even know what exactly he was now. But Dean Winchester sure as hell grew up pretty handsome and still seemed to be the nice male he had learned to value.

„You think you can call me by my name?", Dean asked gently.

Sam just nodded.

„Okay. - Tell you what: You're gonna take a shower and I'll prepare breakfast. Then we'll have breakfast in the kitchen with Bobby and John.", Dean explained, trying to keep himself as impassive as possible. „And later that morning we're going to take a walk outside."

Sam froze and looked aside, trying to fix onto something else but Dean. Trying to not let him see his distress. Sure he knew that the big black-grey dog was the man who brought him food when Dean wasn't around. At least somehow he thought it was that way, even when he didn't quite know how this was even possible.

„Sammy.", Dean whispered gently and tugged him closer. „You'll see nothing will happen. - The both of them are harmless." He grinned. „We're a pack. We're taking care of each other. - And you're part of our pack now, you understand?"

Sam glanced up at him and frowned. Sure he understood – at least he knew what Dean wanted to tell him, but his mind wouldn't allow him to believe the man's words – yet. He couldn't believe, that someone would like to have him around as a normal human and not as what he had been used for in the past.

Dean frowned back at him, a whide grin forming on his lips. „You go and take a shower. - I'll get you a fresh set of clothes."

Sam nodded. AGAIN. Not breaking eye contact.

„Say it.", the other male insisted silently. „I want you to say my name." … he wouldn't let him shut down. Let him become mute just because he wouldn't call Dean by his name.

The human just looked at him, his lips quivered.

„C'mon. - Say my name, Sam.", he whispered, laying his hand on the human's cheek. „I want you to call me by my name and not sir. So say it. - I wanna hear you sayin' my name."

Sam swallowed hard and wanted to turn away, but the younger Winchester wouldn't let him. „Say it.", he repeated softly.

He didn't know exactly what he was afraid of. That he would get punished if he did so? That DEAN would become real, or rather that – even when he was kind of scared of the men – that he'd wake up from this dream. Being pulled back into the room … his cage …

„Dean.", it wasn't more than a whisper carried away on a breath – ever so silently.

And Dean smiled. Dimples formed around his eyes, as he beamed down at the man whose eyes were glistening with unshed tears.

„That was good. - Real good, Sammy." He brushed with his thump along Sam's cheekbone. „How're your ribs?"

„They're good, sir." The words were hardly over his lips, as he bit his tongue, squeezing his eyes shut. „Dean.", he corrected himself.

Whatever Sam was waiting for – it didn't happen. Dean just tugged the comforter and blankets down, exposing a lean body dressed in plaid flannels. The wolf bit his lower lip and shook his head, like he tried to shake off the pity he felt for the human. Or the feelings that rose inside him, as his look swept over Sam's form.

He still couldn't believe that this was the kid from thirteen years ago. The kid that had been way more than a friend to him. Even when they had been so very different – Sam had been the geek and Dean the total badass (he still was a total badass) – there had been this affection between the both of them since day one. At least the Dean had felt that way.

„Do you remember – the one time at the lake? When I lost my swimming trunks?" Dean chuckled. - No clue how he had come to this. „You gave me yours – they hardly fit. - Wouldn't it have been for you, i would've had to run home naked." He sighed. „From that time on I always carried my duffel with me, you remember? - The dark brown one. I still have it in the trunk. I've a second set of clothes with me ever since."

„You threw me into the lake … with all my clothes.", Sam muttered impassive. „Because I didn't want to come in ..." … because I didn't want you to see.

Dean smiled, speechless for a moment or two. „When you wouldn't come out the next day I thought you got sick because of me. Because I pulled you from the plank." His smile faded sadly. „I was worried. - And when you wouldn't come out the second day I was even more worried … It was pretty cool back then and you had to walk home in your water-soaked clothes – Because of me."

Silence for a while … Dean waited, waited for Sam to add something … anything.

„Back there … I knew you were different.", Sam mumbled and stole a glance at Dean's face, checking if he was still on the safe side. „You watched out for me ..."

The younger Winchester buried his fingers in Sam's soft hair and drew his head closer to his chest, holding him there. „I did. - And I loved to do it … wathcing out for you."

The sigh that fell from Sam's lips was filled with sadness. What Dean didn't know was that it had been because of him, that Sam didn't go to school for a whole week. His father had followed them to the lake after he had noticed that Samuel hung around with an older boy a lot after school. He had watched them – and designated for himself that this wasn't okay. William hadn't watched them the whole time of course. Instead he went back home, emptied a full bottle of bourbon and waited. - Waited for his son to come back home. And when he did – his clothes soaking wet – it had been just enough.

… That was the first time his father had truly beaten the shit out of him, had called him names.

Sam shook the bad memories off, when Dean pulled away and got up from the bed, going streight to the closet, where he got out another set of clothes for the young man. Either they had to go and buy some new stuff, or they had to do their laundry some time soon.

Sam was very silent the rest of the day. He didn't even say „yes sir" or „no sir". He just nodded or shook his head. - Always seeming like he was somewhere else in his mind – at least more than usual.

They had breakfast together in the morning, like Dean had said. Bobby had come by too. While the three of them fell over the bacon like starving dogs, Sam chewed on a chunk of pancakes. Then they went for a walk. All four of them. The two older man in front of them, while Dean stayed on Sam's side, one arm around his waist, since the human seemed to be caught by vertigo sometimes.

When they got home, he brought Sam back into the bedroom, letting him get some rest, but woke him for lunchtime, since Sam had to eat something. Had to get stronger.

While the three men ate grilled (bloody) beef with loads of barbecue sauce and gravy and mashed potatoes. Sam just tasted from the potatoe-mash. Sam's serving of beef was soft from being boiled for hours. Though he didn't touch it. He didn't even finish the mashed potatoes.

The three men shared concerned looks but didn't say anything.

Bobby and Dean cleaned the dishes afterwards and John brewed coffee for all of them – including Sam. He made a special one for the youngster. With a lot of milk and sugar and poured some of the vanilla syrup (wich he had bought specially for the human) in it. It wasn't the older Winchester's thing to treat grown up men like he'd treat children. Hell, he wasn't even sure if he had treated Dean like a child when he was little. But he figured – even after over a week – that a fresh brewed strong coffee with just a shot of milk would be too much for the human's abused stomach to take in.

While the others were still busy with the dishes, John placed a mug in front of Sam and held his in his hands, taking a sip.

„Check it out, kiddo." John tugged the mug closer towards the man on the other side of the table.

Sam glanced up, stealing a look at John and then at the mug.

„I think it's time to get you used to grown up food. - Not the stuff Dean's giving you all the damn time." A cocky grin formed on the older man's face, lighting up his eyes.

„Dad!", Dean called out and turned around to glare at his father. „Did you just give him COFFEE?"

John shrugged. „With a lot of milk and sugar. - Don't you worry, he'll be fine."

A low rumble tore from Dean's throat to show his disapproval.

John cocked both eyebrows and took another sip from his coffee before he put it back down, eying the human male closely. „It's yours, Sam. - Try it."

Sam glanced up again thru his long bangs and blinked. The older man was smiling at him. He knew who he was – he was the wolf. He saw it in his brown eyes. He was the one that was on his side when Dean wouldn't be in the cabin. - When he went to the salvage … He knew it. He KNEW it wasn't a trap, nor that he'd be punished. But his mind wouldn't let him do what he wanted to. Wouldn't allow to believe that these people wouldn't hurt him.

Sam reached for the mug hesitantly – with both hands. His long bony fingers wrapped around it, feeling the warmth of the fluid inside penetrating the crockery. Slowly he lifted it – without looking up – and guided it to his lips. And ever so carefully he took a small sip, tasting the liquid on his tongue. Sweet and … amazing.

„Good, huh?", John asked.

Sam glanced over the seam of his mug. „Yeah. Thank you, sir.", he answered silently.

The nights were still the same. Plastered with nightmares. Haunted of images of men and women whose faces he haven't seen. Voices and high-pitched laughter that were burnt into his mind. The feelings of sharp leather tearing thru his skin and deep into his flesh. Blows into his face.

Sam's eyes snapped open. His clothes were soaked with sweat, he was trembling, his breaths came in harsh short puffs.

„It's okay, Sam.", he heard a familiar voice say. „I'm here." Dean tightened his hold on the human, and brought the human's back flush against his chest. „Just a dream. It's just a dream."

A desperate gasp fell from Sam's lips and a tear ran down his cheek. He grasped the other man's hand and squeezed it tightly, proofing that he was with Dean. That there was truly someone holding him, talking to him.

„It's over, Sammy. - It's all over.", the younger Winchester muttered in his sleep. „You're with the pack now. - We're gonna keep ya' safe."

Sam cradled the older man's hand in his and brought it up to his chest, holding it tight against it, right where his heart was thumping like crazy.

This night he didn't fall asleep again. He stared into the darkness with wide eyes, holding onto the man that promised safety.

Another week passed and Sam seemed to improve. He didn't talk a lot. - At least less as he had before. Instead of his yes, sir and no, sir he just nodded or shook his head, avoiding to call Dean's name. Avoiding to call anyone by his name – even when John and Bobby wanted him to do so.

Even Ellen had stopped by and had checked on her patient. She seemed genuinely happy about his improvement. - At least the physical one.

Sam had started to move around in the house when Dean was there – but he always stayed close to the younger Winchester. Dean also had gotten Sam to spend some time in front of the TV, even when he didn't seem to like that very much.

Sam had started to visit the bathroom all by himself when he needed to. Dean didn't have to tell him anymore to do his business. The human had also done the laundry all by himself. Had washed the clothes of the three of them and had put them into the dryer. - Sadly poppa Winchester's woolen pullovers too …

He also seemed more comfortable around John in his human form now.

This afternoon it was Jody's turn to come around. She had to ask Sam a couple of things – since the shifter wouldn't talk. She said she needed something to put the jimmy on before she'd go back into the basement to interrogate the bastard properly.

Dean had tried to prepare Sam for it. He told him who and why the sheriff would come by and that she had some questions for him only he could answer.

Sam had just nodded and sniffed.

Dean sat on the couch yawning. Sam sat – curled up – beside him, snuggled into his side under a blanket. His eyes remained closed, but the younger Winchester knew that he wasn't asleep, that he was high awake and alert to everything that was going on around him.

It felt good to know that Sam was comfortable with him by now. - At least mostly. There were these times where he eyed Dean warily – specially when he brought him into the bathroom, since Sam wasn't very stable on his feet yet. And those times, when Sam tensed, when Dean crawled under the covers. It seemed as if he was afraid the younger Winchester would do something bad to him. But after some time his discomfort eased and he cuddled into the older male's side and let himself being wrapped up in strong arms.

Dean put his hand on Sam's shoulder, tugging his head into his lap gently. A low comfortable growl leaving the wolf's throat, as he buried his hands in soft hair, caressing Sam's scalp gently.

Thin fingers found their way around the wolf's thigh and held onto it in a loose grip.

But the peace shouldn't last long. Dean heard the machine of the sheriff's car before any human's ear was able to, and as if to comfort Sam before she even arrived, he rested his hand on the human's head.

A knock vaulted them out of their comfort roughly. Dean felt Sam tense and his hold on him tightened. His eyes snapped open and towards the door as he heard John's heavy footfalls. The older Winchester emerged from the kitchen and went to the front door, opening it slowly.

„Hey, Jody.", John greeted her with a faint smile and nodded into the room.

The Sheriff nodded back and entered, pulling her cap from her head, revealing a short pony-tale. „Hey John.", she said and then looked at the couch. „Hey, Dean. - Sam." She wore a stressed smile as she went further into the room.

Sheriff Mills tried to hold eye-contact with the young human, but Sam wouldn't bite. He just stole a glimpse at her before he continued to stare motionless on the TV. Dean waved her over and tugged Sam into a sitting position to make space for the Sheriff.

The human male tugged the blanket tighter around his shoulders and inched back as Dean made an attempt to get on the other side so he wouldn't be in the way and between Sam and the sheriff. But Sam obviously had his own plans: Keeping Dean between himself and her.

Dean decided to play along. Even when he had tried to prepare Sam, had explained how it would go down with the sheriff … Sam seemed to have forgotten about it. Or had just changed their plans because he had decided that it was a bad idea to talk to someone else but Dean.

„Hey, Samuel.", she greeted him with a friendly smile.

Sam glanced at her thru long chestnut-brown bangs with a curious expression, pushing his back into the corner of the couch. No one beside his father had called him Samuel.

What a bad start of a conversation …

„Hello, ma'am.", but he greeted her back anyway – how he was supposed to do.

„I've a couple of questions. - About the men you were with." Jody leaned forward a little to get a better look at the man. „It's important to us. - We want to make sure that what happened to you won't happen to anyone else too … so … I'd start at the beginning if that's alright?"

Sam nodded.

Dean reached for Sam's hand that was hidden under the blanket and squeezed it gently, trying to show him that he wasn't alone.

„People were looking for you, you know? When you vanished.", she began visibly hesitantly, „I want you to know that."

Sam stole another glance at her and gave her a short nod.

„They found William – your father – two states over. About two weeks after you stopped visiting the school.", she continued calmly, „They arrested him, thought he killed you." She watched the younger man closely. „What happened? … Haven't you been with him?"

Sam sniffed. „No, ma'am."

Dean eyed the human male closely, felt as his hand started to tremble in his. Sam visibly paled at the question. He looked so vulnerable and unsure as if he was thirteen again.

„Why haven't you been with him?", she asked then.

„Because he was mad at me, ma'am.", he answered, shooting Dean a pleading look. „He gave me away ..." … he sold me.

Dean KNEW they had to do this, that they had to know. So he let her go on and would only stop her if he had the feeling that Sam wasn't able to take it anymore.

„To the men in the club?", She asked frowning. „Did he gave you to them?"

Sam shook his head. „To others … They sold me to an older couple." … for way too much money.

John stood in the doorway of the kitchen, listening cautiously.

Jody Mills nodded and clashed her hands together. „Why don't you just tell … and if i've questions, I'll ask them, huh?"

Dean glanced at her. He knew this technique. This way she'd probably learn more about Sam's past and the owner or owners of the club.

Sam nodded again. „Where am I supposed to start, ma'am?", he asked, his voice calm – mechanic.

„When your dad gave you to these people. - Just start off … We'll listen.", she said after a moment of thinking.

Sam nodded – like always, blowing out a shuddering breath. He tried to concentrate, tried to recall his past. After a long while he cleared his throat gingerly and his head sunk further down, his look glued to the dark stains on the couch between him and Dean.

„My dad sold me … to these men.", he started from the beginning, since he wasn't sure where she wanted him to start exactly. „They braught me into a house with a lot of other kids. - Sometimes there came people and checked us out. After some days there came this couple. They took me with them." Sam paused, blinking at the stains. „I got a room in the basement where they locked me. - I don't know how long I've been there. Could've been years or months … or just weeks." He paused again. „But I got too old and they wanted to get rid of me soon. - Some night they got me out of my room and into a van. We drove what seemed for hours, told me they had found someone better … another boy who'd be more confident than me." He sounded so sad – even if it was weird. Actually Sam should've been happy, shouldn't he? To get away from these people.

Sam sniffed, shaking his head. „I shouldn't have rebelled against them. - They told me from the beginning. They said they'd give me somewhere where I'd learn to follow orders. Where they'd teach me how I am supposed to behave around my masters. - But I didn't believe them. I thought they're just threatening. But I was wrong … so wrong ..." Sam's voice broke.

John Winchester's guts twisted and rebelled. So did Dean's. He sat there beside Sam, holding onto him tightly, giving him reassuring looks when ever the human glanced at him.

„They braught me to this man. - Who wasn't a man. I mean … he definitely was male, but he was different. I don't know WHAT he was, but he wasn't human. Not at all … and his wife wasn't human either." Sam glanced up at the sheriff and sniffed again, his voice trembled. „She was the worst of all of them. - She was supposed to train me. - And she did … She trained all of us."

„Did these two have a name? - Were they married?", the sheriff asked.

Sam shook his head. „I don't know ma'am. - I am not supposed to remember faces or names. But … I can see their faces – sometimes they come back to me … in my dreams."

She nodded and sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

„Did her or his eyes had a different colour? You know … sometimes? Like they were changing?", Dean asked curiously.

Sam looked up at him and frowned. „His didn't. - But her's … When she was real mad at me … her blue eyes morphed into a dark orange and red …"

Dean and Jody shared a knowing look. - Sam was talking about a turned werewolf. While the eyes of the ones - like the Winchester's who were born that way – remained in their true colour, the turned ones changed into a dark orange, golden yellow or dark red.

„Sometimes … at first … the men were just men, you know, ma'am?", Sam asked, drawing the woman's attention back at him.

„What do you mean?", Jody asked, her eyebrows furrowed.

John pushed away from the door frame and crossed his arms in front of his chest, listening closely. His forehead creased into a deep frown.

„They were just men. - And then … then they were gone for a couple of days. - And when they came back again, they had changed. They were different. - Their eyes were different." Sam frowned, rubbing his nose with the back of his hand. „They were like her then ..."

„What about the club, Samuel?", Jody asked quietly.

Sam cocked his head to the side, his lips quivering.

„How long have you been there?", she went on asking.

Sam sniffed, tears started to drop from his eyes, hitting the blanket and couch. He swallowed a sob, the muscles in his yaw and his neck started to work. The human tried to keep control, tried to hold it together.

„I think it's enough, Sheriff.", Dean's voice was hoarse, his gaze moving over to Sam. - It was enough. Sam was done and so was he. Whatever she wanted to know, she could come by in another couple of days, continue her interrogation then. The wolf's heart sank, hearing the heart-tearing sobs and hiccups. He inched closer and pulled Sam into his arms.

And Sam let him. He buried his face in Dean's shoulder, crying shamelessly now.

„Hey, Sammy. - It's okay.", Dean whispered into his ear. „You don't have to tell us any more. - You did good. Real good, Sam. I'm proud of you." He tugged him closer, „So proud." he closed his eyes for a brief moment.

Wouldn't they have left, Sam wouldn't have been thru all of this. Would they've thought about the possibility that William had been an ass. Maybe, if Dean would've kept his eyes open in the first place, would've had at least checked on Sam after he had left, this wouldn't have happened. If he would've recognized the human's calls for him as what they were, he could've saved him.

„I'll take care of you, Sammy. I swear.", Dean whispered, holding the desperately weeping human in his arms. So close … and still … so far apart. Dean wanted to pull him inside his own form, to protect him, to envelope him completely so that nothing would ever be able to hurt him again. „I swear, I'll take care of you. - They won't hurt you anymore." He stared at Jody, while he whispered these things softly, rocking him gently.

Sam clung to him desperately, held onto him for dear life.

Jody frowned, sharing a questioning look with John. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something as she looked back at Sam and Dean. But she closed it again. Instead of saying anything she rose from the couch, giving Dean a short nod and followed his father into the kitchen. - Leaving Sam and Dean on their own.

Dean closed his eyes again, feeling the body in his arms wrecked by sobs, shaking with hiccups – the bitter desperation and hurt flaring thru the human male's body. And the younger Winchester continued to whisper gentle words and soothing phrases into his ear until Sam's crying subsided, until he was too spent to shed tears anymore. Until his body gave into exhaustion …

…. to be continued

am i doing well so far? ^^ I've the plot, you've the reviews – so what about some BACON?