*This is the last chpt. and everyone has been amazing! Thank you so much to everyone who commented/liked/favorited/ and put me on alerts. Your support and comments means the world to me, and always brightens up my day!*

Big Thanks to:

M.J Ellsworth

babyreaper

double-0-nothing

Sylwinka 1991

talknerdy2meh

lenail125

Ruby

Arya Scarlett 14

PriWinchester

souless666

brtstph

And of course thank you to the 'Guests.'

~*SPN*~

John was correct in his assumptions that Dean wasn't going to let Sam out of his sight. He even had to stand between his oldest and a doctor when Dean deemed the doctor to be 'inappropriately touching Sam,' yet John was in the room and knew it was a standard physical, but he still had to tame his oldest before fists went flying and they got arrested.

Once they were ready to leave Dean doubled checked Sam over himself, even after the doctor did it, and even put on and tied Sam's shoes for him. John knew Dean was going too far and Sam was going to protest sooner rather than later, but right now Dean was taking comfort in taking care of his brother, and Sam will tell him when enough is enough.

Dean pushed Sam in the wheel chair to the car and helped Sam in the back, demanding he lay down.

"Deeeaaannn! I didn't actually get hurt and I'm fine now!"

"Just humor me and lay down?"

John was already in the driver's seat. He heard Sam let out a sigh as he laid down and Dean draped a blanket over him before getting in the passenger seat. Sam getting annoyed was finally starting, and John knew the end result might be ugly, but it was nothing his boys couldn't handle.

The drive back to the rented house was uneventful, but once they got there Dean was trying to actually carry Sam inside the house, but that's where he put his foot down and walked into the house with Dean trailing behind him. There was still damage done from the first attack when Sam was initially taken by Troy, and when Sam saw it he froze. Both Dean and John were too concerned with finding Sam they didn't clean up the mess from the fight. There was glass and broken chairs and eating utensils and blood everywhere. Dean came up behind Sam and put his hand on the kid's shoulder for reassurance, but once he did Sam flipped out, and actually managed to punch Dean in the jaw. John quickly grabbed his youngest as he was screaming and pinned his arms so he couldn't hurt himself by accident. Dean recovered quickly and ran over to his family.

"Dad what's going on?"

John had a good grasp on Sam, but he was still fighting and yelling.

"Get off of me! I won't let you take me again!" Sam yelled.

Dean saw that Sam's eyes were closed. Dam it, he was re-living it.

Dean bent down and took Sam's face into his hands.

"Sam! Sam! Look at me Sammy!"

Dean tried to use a calm voice, and it seemed to do the trick. Sam went lax in John's arms and opened his eyes, which were blood shot and filled with tears.

"Dean?"

"Yeah kiddo it's just me."

Dean looked up at his dad and nodded. John let go of Sam and watched as Dean did his magic. He was always able to get through to Sam when he was scared or in the throes of a nightmare.

"Dean what happened?"

"Ssshhh it's ok. It's going to be ok."

Sam threw his arms around Dean and sobbed uncontrollably. Seeing the kitchen brought him back to the night when Troy and his partner successfully took him against his will. Then memories of Rob coming along and taking him made him cry even harder.

Dean looked up at his dad and the gesture was clear. Dean was going to take Sam upstairs and John was going to clean the mess in the house.

Dean had no problem once again lifting Sam in his arms and carrying him upstairs. He laid him on his bed, and just let him cry it out while holding him. Dean knew Sam has been through a lot, more than any other 14 year old should, so this outburst was a long time coming.

It took 45 minutes for Sam to calm down. Once he did Dean held him tighter.

"You wanna talk about it?"

Sam shook his head 'no'. Dean was just happy about the outburst. It's not healthy to keep all that bottled up, but it paved the road for Sam to start talking when he was ready.

The next week was slow. John continued to work and Dean was in charge of taking care of Sam, and he was great at it.

John had given him a talk about being there for Sam, but not hovering over him every 10 seconds. The kid needed to know someone there, but he was old enough to where he needed some space to think.

It was killing Dean knowing Sam was in his bedroom, by himself, because he had to think. Dean knew Sam was a big thinker, but it was taking all his self-control to sit in the living room and 'watch' tv.

A little bit later Dean heard Sam start coming down the stairs. He stood up out of nervousness, and the two boys looked at each other.

"Hey Sammy. You hungry?"

Sam nodded his head 'no'

"Is there anything I can get for you?"

"Dean…I need to talk to you." Sammy said it in a whisper almost, but Dean heard it, and his heart jumped for joy. He knew his brother needed to talk, and finally the healing process could continue.

"Yeah of course."

Sam came over and both boys sat on the couch. Sam was nervously fiddling with his hands while staring at them and Dean was holding his breath.

Since they lied about what happened to Sam the doctor didn't do a full examination or questions. One because the doctor was a bit afraid Dean would deck him and two because it was a 'house fire accident' that didn't spread past the kitchen and didn't cause a lot of damage. But Dean had a lot of questions. Questions that hopefully Sam could answer now.

"Take your time Sam."

Sam sighed and looked up at Dean.

"It's all my fault."

That's not what Dean was expecting to hear.

"What was your fault?"

"If I was bigger, or stronger then I could have fought them off."

"Sam…"

"You were able to take down guys their size at my age! You would have never let happen to you what happened to me!"

Dean sighed.

"Sammy listen." Dean took his thumb and wiped away Sam's tears from his cheeks. "We aren't the same person Sammy. Yeah I was taller and stronger at your age, and I was able to take down creatures twice my size, but it's also ok that you are not able to yet. One day, you will be taller and stronger, and I pity the creature that tries to take you on. Until then, you have me and dad to protect you. And from what I understand you CAN actually take care of yourself. I mean you beat the shit out of Rob every chance you got, and if it wasn't for you me and dad wouldn't know to even start looking. You're stronger than you think."

"He also killed Troy. He killed him and his partner in their sleep." Tears started to come down his face again. "He killed them to get to me. To USE me."

"Don't blame yourself for Rob's actions. He chose to do the things he did and none of it falls on you."

"They used me. They all used me. What happens if other hunters want my help? Will they even give you a warning like Troy did or will they just come and grab me? I don't want other hunters to think they can just grab me and take me away."

The look in Sam's face was tearing Dean's heart apart. The hunters treated Sam like he has no say in anything that was going on, and Sam was such a strong independent spirit that it crushed him.

"Dean…Troy said he was going to take me on the road with him and I would never see you again. Then Rob…he was just insane."

"You do know that if he tried to take you around the country I'd find you right? No matter how long it took I would find you. And if ANY hunter or anything for that matter tried to grab you again they would be sorely mistaken."

Dean took his brother and crushed him into his chest, resting his chin on his brother's hair. A few tears started coming down his own face that he didn't want Sam to see, and he knew Sam was sobbing into his chest.

"I'm sorry Sam."

Sam pulled back and looked at Dean.

"Sorry for what?"

"You're always blaming yourself for not being bigger or stronger, but I wasn't able to protect you from simple hunters. What kind of a brother does that make me?"

"Dean you're amazing and you tried your best. It's not your fault they were psychotic."

Dean gave a half smile.

"It's as much my fault as it is your Sam. You can't go blaming yourself for someone else's actions."

Sam got the point and nodded.

"Now this, really is my fault. I was supposed to protect you, and I'm making you a promise right here and now, that I'm not letting any other hunter come near you, except ones we trust with our lives. As of right now that's Uncle Bobby, Caleb, and Pastor Jim, you got that? Any other person has to get through the great wall of Dean first before getting to you."

Sam shook his head yes. There was no arguing with Dean, and he knew this was definitely not one of those times to start.

"Alright how about you go take a long hot shower and I'll start to make you food ok?"

Sam went to protest but got cut off by Dean.

"You need to eat real food Sam. Well as real as it gets around here."

Sam wiped the tears away from his face and got up. He slowly walked upstairs to take a shower.

Dean meant what he said. Sam might have been 14, but he was small for 14. Dean was 18, strong and tall, what the hell was his excuse for not being able to protect Sam from a couple of hunters? Sure they both were bigger than Dean, but he was trained to take down multiple guys, or even creatures their size. He failed Sam and he would never let anything like that happen again. Even when Sam did become bigger and stronger, Dean would always have the instinct to protect him, he was still his little brother. He was brought out of his thoughts by John coughing and leaning against the door frame.

"Hey dad."

"Hey Dean. Listen I think we need to have a talk of our own."

Dean nodded and followed his dad into the now cleaned kitchen. A few of the windows were still broken, but John wasn't intending to be staying any longer in this town than he had to.

Both exhausted men sat at the table, neither one wanting to look at each other.

"You know Dean. You were way out of line."

Dean sighed and looked at John.

"I'm sorry sir, but I couldn't sit around while Sam was in danger."

"Not that, but yes that's part of it. The part I'm talking about is when you said you were going to take Sam. I don't like it when people threaten to take my children away from me, and it didn't sound to good coming from you either. I know you feel you have more of a responsible role for him than you do, but I'm still his father."

"Sam doesn't deserve this. This driving around the country, getting targeted by things that want to hurt him, he deserves stability. Now maybe I was out of line when I said what I said, but I really wish you would work with me on this. Sam is still healing mentally. I don't think he will be able to go on another hunt so soon, maybe not in the next 6 months at least without seeing blood and freaking out like he did in the kitchen. And what happens if we're on a hunt and the creature decides to take him to hurt us, you think he's going to recover so quickly by being taken again? No way. All I'm asking for, is to let us stay in one place, so he could heal and go to school. You saw him in the kitchen, building him up is going to take a while."

John took in his oldest son's words. He was right. Sam was still healing mentally and he couldn't have Sam freak out or get taken while on a hunt. The kid wouldn't survive.

John rubbed a hand down his face and looked back at Dean.

"As much as I would hate to admit it. You're right. Sam isn't like you or me. He's just Sam. We would be able to bounce back but he needs a little bit of time."

Dean didn't think his dad would actually agree with him! He was beaming.

"Now listen, I don't think we can still stay here. I think we should move again so Sam doesn't have any worse freak outs. What he went through wasn't easy and you're right about that. Now I'll stay wherever we end up with you guys for as long as I can. If a job comes up that can't be helped then I'll have to do it. But Dean, do you think you'll be able to hold down a job and take care of Sam's well-being if I'm not there?"

Dean gave John his most serious expression before answering.

"You know I can." Dean answered confidently.

John had no thought that Dean couldn't be able to do it. He just had to hear it from him.

"Ok then. Tomorrow morning we'll talk to Sam. I'll start looking around for places to live in quiet towns, and we'll get going."

John got up and started walking away before looking back at Dean.

"Oh and Dean, same rules apply. Training is a must, and if Sam is going to end up staying in the same school I want him to keep having good grades."

"Of course."

John walked out of the room. He was hesitant on letting Dean take on the father role as an even more serious position. He was Sam's father, but because of the hunt it was always Dean's job to look after Sam. He knew their bond was strong, a part of him just wished that wasn't the reason why.

That night Sam and Dean ate their dinner, and sat on the couch to watch a movie. By the end of it Sam was practically curled up by Dean's side sleeping s if Dean were a huge pillow.

Dean turned the t.v off, and without disturbing his brother laid his head back on the couch and also fell asleep. Yup, they were going to move, Sam was going to heal, and no one was going to hurt his brother again.

~*SPN*~

The next morning Dean woke up stiff and a little uncomfortable, but they didn't really care. John and Dean were going to tell Sammy their great plan, and Dean knew Sam was going to be ecstatic to be able to stay in one place.

Without waking Sam he eased himself from under his sibling, and quickly replaced a pillow under his head. When Sam didn't wake up he proudly compared himself the Indiana Jones, and got to work on breakfast.

Dean was in the kitchen starting to make pancakes when he heard a scream coming from the living room. He ran as fast as he could expecting a threat, but he noticed Sam was thrashing around. It was a nightmare. He quickly sat down beside Sam and gripped him in his arms.

"Ssshhh Sammy its ok I'm here. No one's going to hurt you."

John's footsteps could be heard running downstairs at full speed, once he got downstairs he had a gun in his hand and looked around for a threat.

"Dean what's wrong?!"

"Sammy just had a bad dream."

Dean continued to card his fingers threw Sam's hair and say comforting words. After a couple minutes Sam collapsed into Dean's arms and whimpered a little. He lowered Sam back down onto the couch, got up, put the blanket on Sam, and walked back into the kitchen to make breakfast.

John looked between Sam and Dean and marveled at the way Dean handled the situation. He knew he made the right decision in letting Dean take care of Sam, and then another thought came to his mind. He had to get ready to head out.

When breakfast was ready Dean gently woke up a groggy Sam.

"Hey Sammy breakfast."

Sam smelling the pancakes and bacon woke up immediately and headed towards the kitchen with Dean. They sat down and started eating.

"Where's dad?" Sam asked.

"I don't know. He left a little while ago. Didn't tell me where he was going, but he should be back shortly."

After the boys finished breakfast they were talking and laughing at the table when John walked in.

"Hey boys,"

"Hello Sir." Both boys said at the same time.

John sat down and put a manila envelope in front of Dean.

"Dad what's this?"

"Just open it and find out."

Dean opened up the package, and when he saw the papers his eyes went wide.

"Dean what is it?" Sam asked.

"These papers are for co-guardianship…Dad?"

Both boys looked at John confused.

"Dean you're 18 now. I want you to have co-guardianship for Sam. This way if something were to happen to me on a hunt they can't take Sammy away from you, or if I'm to leave you two alone and DCF came knocking at least Dean has some rights, or if you need to take Sam to the hospital for any reason they can't deny you. I believe you're ready for the responsibility. Now all we have to do is fill out the paperwork, and come before a judge. Then it's done."

Dean couldn't believe it. He was officially going to be able to say he was Sam's legal guardian. Of course co-guardian since their dad was still Sam's guardian, but now Dean had the official title, and he couldn't have been more thrilled.

"Dad is that true?" Sam asked smiling.

John ruffled Sam's hair and smiled.

"It's true son. It's just safer this way."

Dean's eyes were still wide as he looked from the papers to John.

"Dad this is great. I don't know what to say but, thank you."

It was a huge gesture on John's part, but a smart one. Dean was 18 and more than capable of taking care of Sam. He has been doing it his whole life after all.

"No need Dean. I should have done it on your birthday. Now! Let's get down to other business. Sammy, I know this whole experience has been rough on you, so I'm going to find us a place to live in a different state, and we're just going to relax for a little bit. You can start school there, and recuperate for as long as it takes. How does that sound son?"

Sam got a huge smile on his face again.

"Sounds awesome! Thanks."

Without warning both boys attacked their dad in a huge hug making John grunt and laugh.

After everything was said and done, they packed up the truck and impala, and started to get going. John was already in the truck, and Dean noticed Sam looking back at the old house.

"Sammy, you ok?"

Sam stayed silent for a little while before turning back towards Dean.

"Yeah. Yeah I'm ok."

Dean got into the driver's seat and Sam got into the passenger seat. John was in front In the truck as Dean trailed behind in the impala. He kept looking over at a silent Sam.

"Excited? You get to stay in one school for longer than a month, and your geek brain gets to study all you want."

Sam looked over at Dean, who was currently watching his brother and the road.

"Yeah. I think we all need a little downtime."

"You're going to be ok. You know that right? We'll work through this together."

"I know."

Dean looked back towards the road. He was going to make sure Sam was safe and healing like he should be.

The End

*I have to warn you though, once I'm done with a few more stories I have in mind I will start doing sequels to about 95% of the stories I have already written, including this one. So keep and eye out.*

*Again thank you to everyone who read and commented and put me on alerts! I have a couple more stories headed your way pretty soon, so keep a look out! Here are the synopsis's:

"After John's death, Dean pushes Sam away and they both continue to hunt. On one hunt Sam gets rescued by a real life super hero. How will the new friendship put a strain on the brother's already broken one?"

I'll think of a better synopsis for the top one, but it's a start.

"WINCEST / After a hunt gone bad Dean promises Sam a safe life. But when the safe life becomes to boring for Dean and it puts a strain on his and Sam's relationship, can he save it before it's to late? Also who is after Sam while Dean is not there for him?"

Again rough synopsis, but it's the gist of it.