Hello everyone, sorry for the ridiculous delay on updating. I had a lot going on but hopefully I can start updating sooner now. I hope you guys like it. Oh, and if the text in this chapter is too small I apologize. I blame it on my new computer. Hopefully i'll have it fixed by the time I post the next chapter.

She awoke slowly, and for the first time it was peaceful. No nightmares, no screaming…no memories. All that could be heard was music in the background. It was something vaguely familiar, but she couldn't quite place from where. Opening her eyes slightly she could see a window, and the scenery outside was just flying by. Normally, she would be extremely worried about waking up in a place she knew nothing about, but…the way the sun was shining down on her face, and the overwhelming sense of nostalgia she was experiencing, every part of her was just…content.

"Morning sleepyhead."

She jumped slightly at the unexpected voice and whipped her head around to find its source. Sitting there, in what appeared to be the driver's seat of a car, was Dean. He looked kind of tense and she briefly wondered if that was her fault.

Of course it's your fault. Ever since meeting him you've been one big ball of crazy. The guy probably thinks you're going to stab him. You already tried to once…

She flinched slightly at the memory before plastering on the most sincere fake smile she could muster. She didn't really know why she was pretending to be okay…she barely even knew Dean, but…she felt like she'd put him through a lot in the past few days, and she liked him enough to want to give him a break from her issues. The fact that he hadn't yet run screaming from her…was very strange.

"Hello Dean."

After a brief searching look, Dean smiled back at her. She was glad she could put him at ease, even if just a little.

"Uhh, so how did you sleep?" He asked awkwardly.

Thinking back, she was surprised to realize that she'd slept…well. In fact, for the first time, it wasn't only the absence of nightmares but the fact that she'd slept at all. For the past twelve years there'd always been so much noise.

The scratching…the screaming…the voices in the dark…

"Sam?"

She shook herself out of the memories and smiled again. "I slept great Dean."

He looked skeptical but, thankfully, he didn't comment on it.

"That's good Sam. I'm glad." He said as he turned back to stare out the windshield. She decided to take some time to check him out while he wasn't paying attention to her. Not in a sexual kind of way of course. She wasn't attracted to him…in any sense of the word…which was definitely a good thing considering they were, apparently, siblings. She smiled slightly at the thought. Wouldn't that be just perfect? Being attracted to your brother…yuck.

Instead, she looked deeper, at the person underneath the green eyes and stubble. The person who had lost his sister at a young age, who hadn't spoken a word to her about his parents, who knew about things he shouldn't know about…the creatures that went bump in the night.

Dean was an enigma. All her years in hell, she had never seen such fierce loyalty before. He was willing to risk so much for her even though he couldn't be sure she was who he thought she was. And the way he had looked at her after she'd revealed a part of the monster within…she had been certain that he'd either try to kill her or run away but…he still hadn't abandoned her…

He's just manipulating you into a false sense of security. He knows what you're capable of now…he just needs you to let your guard down…

Manipulation was a main staple of Azazel's school for gifted children. That was his name…her yellow eyed creator. He taught her many things…things she wished she could forget. If he ever caught her…

She shuddered at the thought and tried to focus. Manipulation was her game, not Dean's.

Realizing that she would need more information to really get a solid read on Dean, she turned her attention to her surroundings.

They were in a car, a black Chevy Impala, if she remembered correctly. Dean seemed very proud of it for some reason and she figured it had something to do with sentiment. People tended to get attached to inanimate objects. Why that was, was something she didn't understand. Maybe it was because she'd never had anything to become attached to. Everything she'd ever cared about was taken from her bit by bit…

"So Sammy, you hungry at all? Or have to use the bathroom? We've been driving for a few hours now so if you need a break just let me know okay?" Dean asked suddenly.

"It's Sam." She said, before realizing what he'd just asked her. She turned to face him with a disbelieving look. "You're asking me when to stop?" Nobody had ever asked her what she wanted before. It was always do this, or do that. Always on his time table…she had no choice.

He looked at her like she'd suddenly grew another head. "Well, yeah. I mean, if you need to stop just tell me. I don't want you having an accident in my car after all."

"Accident?"

He raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Seriously? I mean, I don't want you taking a piss in the vehicle."

Oh, she thought, feeling utterly stupid.

"Oh." She said out loud before realizing that she did indeed have to stop. "I have to stop."

Dean looked at her again before bursting out laughing. She stared at him as he laughed and couldn't help but feel even more nostalgic. Something about the sound of it…was very familiar.

Sammy I need you to hold this okay?

Okay Dean.

Don't drop it okay?

Okay.

Now just wait right here for a second while I go give this to dad. I'll be right back.

Okay.

Thump! Splash!

Sam are you okay?!

I'm sorry Dean, I dropped it…

You…dropped…it…ha…haha…hahahahahaha!

Hey! Dean! You're mean!

I'm…sorry but, hahaha, you look so funny!

Dean!

How'd you manage to dump an entire bottle of sparkle paint on yourself anyway?

…A bug flew by and I tried to splash it…

…A bug? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Dean!

"Dean…" She mumbled as Dean finally seemed to calm down a bit. He looked over at her with a smile and seeing it…nearly brought her to tears for some reason. Quickly choking them back, she plastered her fake smile back on and tried to pretend like she knew what he was laughing about.

"Sorry for laughing." He said with one last chuckle. "I just, kinda…never mind…" He said, letting the conversation die. A moment of awkward silence enveloped the car and she realized that he didn't seem to be stopping.

"Well, are we going to stop? Cause I really don't want to piss in your car."

Dean stared at her for a moment before bursting out laughing again.

She figured that this was definitely going to be a thing with him…and strangely…she kind of liked it.

Watching Dean devour a piece of pie was like watching a car accident, in the sense that she just could not look away. She'd never seen someone so happy. She didn't really understand his love for the dessert. Sure it tasted good, but so what? Figuring she was never going to get it, she looked down at her tiny bowl of ice cream and smiled. It was chocolate. She hadn't had chocolate ice cream in…longer than she could remember. Why would anyone choose pie over ice cream?

They had stopped at a small diner called Sally's and it was a nice quiet place with really delicious food. Dean had eaten a burger that was bigger than his head and she'd had a salad. Dean had made fun of her for it but she'd eaten enough animal flesh to last a lifetime.

"You just gonna stare at it, or are you gonna eat it?" Asked Dean around a mouthful of pie. She stared at him for a moment before snickering slightly. Dean was a funny guy.

"What?" He said, finally swallowing his food.

"Oh, nothing." She said as she slowly lifted her spoon to her mouth. The ice cream tasted as delicious as it looked. She was just about to take another bite when it suddenly started melting. She stared down at it as the ice cream slowly became soup in the bowl. Then it started boiling rapidly, and she could only watch in fascination as it started swirling around in clockwise circles.

"Sam?"

Dean's voice didn't even register as a face suddenly appeared in the liquid. Her eyes widened in horror before she screamed, swiped the whole thing off the table, and jumped up out of their booth.

"Sam?!"

She was running again. Always running. This time though, she only made it to the bathroom. Once there she locked the door and ran into one of the stalls before throwing up the ice cream she'd just consumed.

Aww, did I just ruin your happy little dessert moment with your long lost big brother? Soooo sorry…

"Go away…" She mumbled while hovering over the toilet in case anything else had to come up. "Please…just go away…"

But why would I want to do that? We were best buds for twelve years beautiful girl, and I don't intent to let you go now.

"Sam! Open the door!"

Dean's voice was yelling from outside the bathroom door. She could picture the worry on his face and see the people swarming around him, probably wondering what was going on. Pulling herself out of the stall, she made her way over to the mirror above the sink. Staring into it, she suddenly found herself trying to find a resemblance to the man who, apparently, felt so strongly toward her. A part of her was desperate for it. Just that little thing that proved Dean was her brother…that she'd finally found her true family.

Was she really Samantha Winchester? Their hair color was similar. They had the same shaped eyes…maybe. It could just be wishful thinking. All alone in that room…the name carved into her skin…was Dean really the family that she'd always hoped she had? Or was this entire thing a huge mistake? It could all be just another one of his tricks. Sending some Good Samaritan to her in order to trick her into believing she'd gotten away. Her mind was always tormenting her…she couldn't even eat ice cream in peace.

Her eyes drifted slightly, over toward the tiny window on the far side of the room.

You can make it…now's the time beautiful girl…I taught you to sever ties, never let anyone weigh you down…he won't even know you're gone until your states away…

Pushing his voice away, she tried to think. Before the fear, and the pain. Before the blood, and the screaming…before she became a monster…was there a boy who took care of her? A boy who loved her and who she loved in return?

Don't be scared Sammy. It's okay. I'm right here.

But…but what if it comes back?

It won't. Remember what I told you?

That as long as you're here, no monsters will get me?

That's right Sammy. Besides, I checked under the bed five times.

Okay…

…Still scared?

Yeah…

Okay, shove over.

What?

I said shove over. I'll sleep with you tonight to make sure you're safe.

Really Dean?

Really Sammy.

…I love you Dean.

I love you too Sammy.

"Sammy…" She looked back into the mirror. "Samantha Winchester." She thought about everything that had happened the last few days. The strange memories, the fact that Dean hadn't given up yet…and she'd given him plenty of reasons to do so. He genuinely believed that she was his sister…there had to be a reason…right?

"Sam, please open the door! Get a freakin manager over here already and get this damn door open!"

"Maybe I really am Samantha Winchester…" A tear fell down her cheek as she stared at herself. She was slightly shocked by the strange reaction. She hadn't cried…since the day she'd awoken in hell…

That's a lie! You stopped being that worthless child when I rescued you! You are mine! And you always will be!

"Shut up!" She screamed at the empty room, her voice reverberating off the walls. As if reacting to her words, his face appeared in the mirror. The same thin features…the same yellow eyes that had appeared in her ice cream bowl…the same face that had been her devil for too long. Without a second's hesitation, her fist connected with the glass with all the force she could muster. She didn't feel the sting of the glass cutting her skin. All she felt was…utter satisfaction.

"Sam!" Dean yelled again as the bathroom door was suddenly wrenched open. He was at her side in moments looking from the broken mirror, to the glass all over the floor, before finally resting on her mutilated hand.

She wasn't quite sure what he was going to say and figured she should probably apologize, again, for freaking him out. But before she could say a word…Dean blew up.

"What the hell is the matter with you?! Look at what you did to your hand! I swear to God Sam, if you ever do anything like that again I'm gonna kick your ass!"

She stared at him, slightly shocked, and then a moment later the same look of disbelief appeared on his face as well. It would appear that Dean couldn't quite believe he'd just yelled at her.

They both stared at each other, not quite knowing what to do, before suddenly…she lost it completely.

"Haha…Hahahahahaha!"

Dean's eyes widened even more in surprise, and it only fueled her laughter. It was so bad in fact, that tears started streaming down her face and she clutched at her stomach with her cast covered hand. It felt so good though…to finally laugh. It was like some sort of release for her. And it wasn't just his face that had her losing it. The whole exchange was just so…familiar. That was the sort of thing normal siblings did. One screwed up and the other threatened violence, but deep down it was just out of worry.

"Sam, are you…okay?" Dean said hesitantly as he watched her continue to lose it. She couldn't help it, his expression was just too funny, and she was just feeling so…happy.

"I…I'm…sorry…" She finally managed to stutter out between giggles. Dean shook his head and ran a hand through his hair.

"It's…fine, I guess. You really had me worried though…"

She started to sober up immediately. Scaring Dean was something she was going to have to try to do less of. Giving him a heart attack wouldn't be good for either of them.

"Well, whatever. Let me check out your hand." He said as he held out his own hand toward her. She slowly placed her hand in his and watched as he gently examined it. Now that she was actually looking closer at him, it was pretty apparent that Dean needed a break. He looked exhausted.

"You look tired Dean."

He laughed mirthlessly as he continued looking down at her hand. "Yeah, well, it's been a rough couple of days."

He means you are literally stressing him into an early grave…

"I know what he means!" She yelled, startling Dean into squeezing her wounded appendage. "Oww!"

"Ah, Jesus! Sorry!" Dean let go immediately and took a step back.

Things seemed to be going from bad to worse…and then she saw all the people standing in the doorway…including a very pissed off looking manager.

Circus freak…

Clenching her wounded hand into a fist, she glared at them. "What the hell are you all looking at?"

Most of the people immediately scurried away but the manager stayed.

"Excuse me, but who is going to pay for this mess?! And you've scared away all our customers!"

Dean sighed in annoyance. "Sam, can you go and sit in the car while I take care of this."

"But-"

"Please Sam?"

Figuring she'd caused Dean enough stress for the day, she nodded and then started heading for the door.

"Oh! Wait Sam!"

She stopped and turned to look at him, only to have a wad of paper towels thrown in her face. "Hey!"

"Just put them on your hand until I can take care of it."

She looked down at them before gently placing them on her still bleeding hand. Without another word she headed out to the car.

Do you think Dean is going to drop you off at the next rest stop now? After all, you just made a total fool of yourself. Plus you left him to clean up your mess.

"He won't."

How do you know that? Are you suddenly a Dean expert? You just met the moron a few days ago.

"He's not a moron. And…I just know."

You can't seriously be believing that crap about being his sister are you? Grasping at straws my dear…

"I'm not grasping anymore…"

It was strange. The moment she started to believe…everything just felt…easier somehow. His words didn't seem to have the same effect as before. Sam wasn't entirely sure why, but it didn't really matter. She smiled a little as she realized that she was now thinking of herself as Sam.

"What are you smiling about?"

Sam smiled even wider when Dean approached from behind. "I don't know."

Dean gave her an odd look and then headed for the back of the car. "Okay…"

"What are you doing?"

"I'm grabbing the first aid kit to take care of your hand. Does anything feel broken?"

Sam flexed her hand a little. She knew from many past experiences that it wasn't broken. All she needed was a…bandage…

Sammy, I need you to do something for me okay?

She tore her eyes away from her big brother lying on the sofa…bleeding. "Daddy?"

He looked down at her with comforting eyes. "It's okay sweetheart. Dean is gonna be fine. I promise. But we're out of bandages and I need you to run down to the store to grab some more. Do you think you can do that?

She glanced back over at Dean who looked like he was in a lot of pain. "I-I think so…"

That a girl. There's some money in daddy's wallet. Do you remember how to get there?

It's at the end of the street on the left hand side…right daddy?

That's right sweetheart. And remember don't talk to strangers and come straight back. Dean is counting on you.

Okay daddy. I'll be right back Dean.

Hello honey, how can I help you today?

She looked up at the scary man at the counter and held up her box of bandages. "I-I need these for Dean."

He stared down at her like he thought she was lying and she grew afraid that he wouldn't let her buy them even though her big brother needed them.

…Okay then. That's three dollars and fourteen cents.

She smiled a little and carefully counted out the money daddy had given her. She even had a little left over. "Thank you." She said, remembering her manners. The scary man smiled down at her and she realized that he wasn't as scary as she thought.

She tried to hurry. Dean needed her to hurry. She was almost home.

And then he appeared…

"Dean?" She whispered as the memories continued to bombard her mind.

"What?" He asked after he'd closed the trunk and made his way over to where she was seated in the passenger seat. "Is it broken?"

She looked up at him as if seeing him for the first time. Tears started rolling down her cheeks and Dean looked extremely worried.

"Sam? What's wrong?"

Without saying a word she launched herself up and into his arms. The first aid kit fell to the ground as she practically jumped on him.

"Whoa! What…what are you doing?!"

"I remember you…I…remember you…"

Dean froze and for a moment Sam believed she'd done something wrong. But then…

"You remember?" He whispered into her hair and the hope in his voice was hard to miss.

"I remember you were hurt…I was…supposed to get you some bandages…right?"

She could feel Dean start to shake and she was about to pull away, when his arms suddenly wrapped around her tightly.

"Do you really remember me?" He said quietly, voice shaking as much as he was.

Sam was about to answer when she suddenly felt lightheaded. It was a feeling she knew well and she knew what was coming next. Her vision started to darken and her legs gave out.

"Whoa! Sam?!" Dean yelled as he barely caught her as she fell to the ground. He looked down at her in concern…but she could only smile.

"I remember you…" She whispered as her vision darkened completely and she lost consciousness. The last thing she saw was the worried eyes of her big brother.