A/n: Hello everyone! Thank you for your patience as my time in my current location draws to a close. I've had my little vacations, been sick, and have been making my rounds of goodbyes so this has been a busy and emotional week for me. But for you guys that's not really what matters, this is what matters. I got the chance to do some more writing and I'm now a couple of chapters ahead. I believe there shouldn't be a problem, but I do want to warn you that I'm still in the process of trying to get WiFi set up for my new house with my roommate. We are hoping to have it ready to go by Tues, but if it doesn't work out that way, then I may not be able to post. However I don't think that's going to be a problem so I do plan on posting. I'm just giving you a heads up in case I can't.

Thank you very much to all of those who read, review, follow, and/or favorite this story. Special thank you to hecatess, Guest, SparksFlyAngel, jojospn, LilyBolt, and 14fox for all your recent reviews.

Chapter 18

"I'm not fillin' you in on squat. What do I look like to you? Wikipiki?"

Dean quirked an eyebrow while Sam stifled a laugh. "It's uh, it's Wikipedia...sir," he corrected him.

"Whatever, I don't give a damn what the hell it's called. Point is I ain't it. But, I'll tell you what you need to know about ghosts."

"Here you are. Sandwich for you and clogged arteries for you," Meg replied tossing Dean's plate a bit more forcefully than was necessary at the elder brother before turning to Sam with a kind smile. "Are you sure you don't want anything Sam? Not even some French fries or something?"

"I'm good, thanks," he said with a polite smile.

"Alright, well if you need anything, just ask." With that she turned and walked away from the table.

"You're a regular Casanova in California," Dean commented as he reached over his brother and snatched up the ketchup bottle.

"I'd rather be able to just tell you the basics, but yer case ain't basic." The hunter said taking up half of his club sandwich.

"Meaning what?"

"Usually it's pretty cut and dry. You find out where the deceased is buried, dig'em up, and salt 'n burn their bones. End of ghost problem. But yer case is a bit more complicated. Yer wife died in a fire, so she's more or less cremated which means there's no body to salt 'n burn. So, only thing I've found that works, is to find out what's keepin' them linked to earth, and salt 'n burn that."

"Did you say dig them up?" Dean asked with a disgusted look on his face. His hamburger only inches from his mouth while the man had been talking, now being slowly lowered back to his plate.

"But she's not a problem," Sam reassured him, "I don't want to get rid of her."

The hunter sighed heavily. "I know kid, but it's what's best fer everyone. Yer wife included. Ghosts are...well, not all ghosts start off evil or dangerous. Some're just confused. Don't even know that they're dead. But a ghost that's been wronged, like a murder victim, they don't tend to stay friendly no matter how much they were in life. They're what hunters call vengeful spirits. They can't let go of their anger and they seek justice for their untimely demise. Sam, if yer wife was murdered like you and I believe, the chances of her turnin' into a vengeful spirit are pretty damn high." After noticing the weary look on the young man's face he added, "'m sorry son."

"No," Sam whispered. "No," his voice was stronger this time. "I appreciate everything you've done for me, but I can't. I won't."

The hunter sighed, "I know it's hard Sam, believe me I know. But yer making a mistake," he explained.

"Thanks again...um..."

"Robert."

"Right. Thanks again Robert." The younger man held out his hand for him to shake, then turned to face his brother. "I'll wait for you by the car."

"Uh-uh," Dean responded not moving from his spot. He nudged his plate towards his sibling. "You're not going anywhere until you've eaten something."

"Dean-"

"Burger, fries, or both. Dealer's choice." The brothers locked gazes, neither of them moving. Finally Sam rolled his eyes and huffed as he reached over to grab one of the fries off of Dean's plate.

"There, happy?" He asked as he chewed.

"Gettin there. Take another."

The twenty-two year old obeyed.

"There."

"Take a whole hand full."

"I don't want-"

"Take a handful and I'll leave you alone," the elder sibling promised. Sam gave Dean a sour look, but did as he was told, shoving the handful into his mouth.

"'Ere, n'w c'n I go?" He asked through a mouthful.

Dean eyed his brother's water.

"Have a drink. Ah! after you swallow." The younger man avoided eye contact as he chewed then gulped before taking up his water and nearly draining it.

The elder Winchester moved from his seat while his sibling slid out. Sam nodded at Robert then stuffed his hands in his pockets and headed for the front door. Dean watched until he was out of sight, then leaned over to peer out the window where he found his brother leaning against the Impala. His head down, eyes fixed on the ground and his hands still in his jean pockets.

Dean returned to his burger with a sigh.

"I know he's hurtin', but he's gonna be hurtin' a lot more if he doesn't do somethin' about that ghost," the hunter warned. "I know you think this is all a buncha horse shit, but yer brother needs help. He's more likely to listen to family than he is a stranger," Robert informed him.

"Look, uh, Robert. In case you haven't noticed, my brother is stubborn. I can't make Sammy do anything he doesn't want to. Besides, he and I have some bad water under the bridge." Realizing he had been a bit more open then he had meant to be, Dean quickly added, "not that that's any of your business."

"Bull. I just sat here and watched ya Mother-Hen him into eating. He didn't want to do that either, but he did it."

Dean scoffed. "Yeah well, he's too big to crawl under the table and with me blocking him, he kinda didn't have a choice."

The hunter shook his head and the twenty-six year old took a large bite out of his burger then turned his attention back to check on his sibling. Within seconds he was up out of his seat and dashing out the front door without a word. Sam was sitting on his knees with his hands pressed against his head and his eyes closed as he yelled in agony.

"Sam! What's wrong? Talk to me!"'Dean demanded kneeling next to his brother with his left hand placed on Sam's shoulder. The younger man's only response was more hollering as he lowered his head further with his hands still glued to either side. "Sam!"

A few seconds later his screaming turned into gasps and pants and Dean was met with a pair of large hazel eyes. Slowly he removed his hands and instead grasped at the Impala's bumper.

"Hey. You ok? What happened?"

"I...dunno. A bad headache," Sam managed to answer as he rose slowly to his feet. Dean moved with him.

"More like a migraine," the elder brother corrected him. "Alright, c'mon. Let's get you back to the motel." Dean gave Sam a reassuring pat on the shoulder before making a B line for the driver's side of the muscle car. Before he could step in however, Robert approached them.

"What's goin' on?"

"I'm taking my little brother back to the motel to rest."

The hunter nodded and gave Sam one last hopeful look.

"Sam, think about what I said."

"I hear you Robert, but I just can't. Thanks again, for everything."

"Well if you ever change yer mind, you know how to reach me," he said with a wave his hand. Sam waved back with a small grin while Dean simply watched the man get into his beat up Roadrunner and drive off.

A/n: Alright everyone, things are starting to get interesting for the boys and the story is starting to pick up, sorry if anyone has found it slow so far.

Guest: Haha yes. Robert is good at putting him in his place I'd have to agree with you. It would be weird to see Dean not be protective over his brother one way or another. They may not have the relationship they have in the show in this AU, but he's trying. Yes Meg showing up is no coincidence, you'll be seeing her again some time in the future. Thank you so much again! I hope you liked this chapter too.

SparksFlyAngel: Hahahaha that was awesome, thank you for that. Dean doesn't yet know that he'd be better off watching how he speaks to Bobby. Well...maybe now he does. I'm glad you liked last chapter! They're...coming along to the truth. They know about ghosts now at least and the rest will follow. Thank you so much for your review and interest.