Runaway

Sam's head kept replaying last night's events any time he closed his eyes. Sam promised himself he would never love another woman like Jess, but had allowed himself a one night stand every once in a while. Were these nights a mistake though? Sam's thoughts were interrupted by Dean tossing the car keys into his lap.

"Me?" Sam asked shocked he was given the change to drive Dean's pride and joy. Dean was already walking around to the passenger side of the car "yeah, the little growth in back didn't sleep much last night and she finally passed out" Dean said nodding to their little sister in the back seat.

"Right" Sam said standing up, allowing his height to hunch forward ever so slightly towards Dean, craving some comforting touch from his brother. Dean recognized this move, Sam only did this as a kid when he heeded his older brother and it always tugged at his last few hear strings. "You mind?" Dean asked about driving.

"No, happy to do it" Sam said starting to walk around the car, but that's when he felt Dean clasp his hand on his right shoulder. Sam's heart instantly felt a tad bit lighter, but should he seek Dean's advice on this subject or wait until Ashley was up? After a quick pro and con list in his head, Sam decided to ask Dean.

"Hey Dean?" Sam choked out.

"Yeah?"

"Uh, I got a question I need advice on."

"Alright" Dean groaned, dreading the emotional road they were about to go down, but Sammy clearly was in anguish so those thoughts were quickly stowed.

"After Jess died, I swore I'd never love another like her. But am I wrong to well, ya know?"

Of course Sam would think that way, but Dean now understood what Sam felt because he had Lisa now.

"No Sammy, Jess is gone" Dean said as carefully as possible "but she wouldn't want you lounging around backed up."

"Yeah guess you're right. Thanks Dean."

Dean and Ashley were both asleep as Sam speed east back towards their make shift home base. Dean was right, Jess would want him to be happy even if he felt it wasn't fair.

"Hey wanna break?" Ashley had finally woken up I the back and gently asked Sam so as not to scare him.

"You were asleep for a while, everything alright?"

"I'm good, just had some thinking to do and it kinda took all night" she shrugged as she leaned forward to rest on the Impala's warm leather.

"Gotcha, thanks for offering Ash, but I'm good on driving" Sam said as he kicked both shoes off and nudged them under the seat.

"Well, has that been cloud gone away since Dean pulled you out?"

"Mostly yeah, but now I'm worried he will get trapped in his head" Ashley said looking at her eldest brother, who was leaning against the cool window.

"He's a hard ass Ash, Dean'll kick that cloud before it even settles."

"I hope you're right" Ashley said as Dean's phone let out a shrill.

"Yeah" he answered still half asleep.

Lisa had called Dean about Ben again, but it pissed Ashley off to see her brother so upset. Ben was acting out in his teenage years and needed a father figure back in his life. Ashley settled back into the corner of the Impala where she once stuffed her Barbie's head when she was a kid.

"Why do you keep jumping whenever she calls?" Ashley said with her arms folded across her chest.

"You wouldn't get it" Dean said, slightly irritated at Ashley's tone.

"Dean" Sam snapped at his brother "you don't know that! You weren't with her for a year, remember?"

Ashley just let her mouth hang open at the venom that was laced in Dean's words. "Pull the car over" Ashley said with a shaky yet stern voice.

"We don't have time for this, Ashley" Dean barked as he continued down the highway.

"Yet we have time to help Lisa out with parenting? Pull the damn car over" Ashley exploded as she opened up the door.

"Whoa, alright" Dean said steering the car into the shoulder. Ashley wasted no time climbing out of the car and taking her bags from the trunk. It wasn't until she started walking away from the car did her brothers get out to talk to her.

"Ash come on, let's talk about this" Dean pleaded as he folded his arms on top of the Impala's hood.

"No Dean, there's nothing to talk about! Go save your precious family, they need you more than you ever needed me" she spat over her shoulder without slowing her pace any. Ashley heard a set of footsteps run up behind her and was relieved to see it was only Sam.

"See you back home Little One?" he asked praying she would say yes. Ashley gave no answer, she only stopped walking to hug Sam goodbye, but as soon as it was over she continued on her merry way.

Watching her walk away made Sam realize just how his family felt when he walked out on them to go to Stanford.

AN: Oh no! What is Ashley going to do? Keep reading and you'll find out :) Tell me what you think in the mean time!