Dean sat on the bench outside the hotel room. After they came home last night, Sam went straight to bed. Dean tried to get answers from him but Sam wasn't up for much talking. He was still out cold when Dean woke up this morning.

Dean took a sip of his coffee as John pulled up in his truck. He had no idea how he was going to react.

"So?" Dean asked. John slammed the driver door shut.

"I spent the night going back and forth between the hospital and the station. She got out of surgery around three this morning and is currently stable. Told the police it was an accident."

"And?"

"Sarah's not pressing charges so your brother should be fine. Fucking kid."

Dean took another sip of coffee. John sighed and sat down next to him on the bench.

"I called Bobby," John said, breaking the silence. He took the cup from Dean and took a long swig of the coffee.

"Why?"

"He's going to take the two of you in for a while."

"What?" Dean asked, thrown completely off guard.

"Look, Sam needs a little break and I think it would do you some good too."

"Why do I have to go?"

"Honestly?" John asked. Dean nodded. "Sam is thirteen. There's so much happening for him and he really needs someone right now. It'd really make me feel better knowing that that someone is you."

"I didn't have an older brother for me when I was thirteen!" Dean said, raising his voice. He clenched his hands into fists.

"You didn't have as many problems," John said, calmly. He hoped his tone might help Dean relax.

"Great," Dean spat. He shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Dean please-"

"And how long is this going to last?"

"I don't know. Probably until I can trust your brother again. "

Dean scoffed. He knew he didn't have a choice. John put his arm around his son and squeezed his shoulder. Dean quickly shook it off and went inside the hotel room.


Sam woke up and heard his dad's truck pull up. He rolled over and didn't see Dean lying next to him.

"So?" he heard Dean ask outside. Yay for thin hotel walls.

Sam sat up and his head started throbbing. Most likely from dehydration. He walked over to the bathroom and turned the light on. He winced from the brightness and immediately turned them off. In the dark, he washed his face, brushed his teeth, and rummaged through Dean's bag to find pain medication. When he walked out, Dean and his dad were still out front talking.

"I didn't have an older brother for me when I was thirteen!" he heard Dean say. Sam couldn't make out exactly what was happening, but he knew Dean was not happy.

Sam poured himself some coffee. It was cold now, but he didn't care. He needed the caffeine.

Sam sat down at the table and drank the coffee. He contemplated eating one of the bananas lying in front of him.

Suddenly the door to the room flew open and Dean stormed in. He immediately grabbed his bag and started throwing his stuff in it.

"What's happening?" Sam asked. Dean didn't answer. John slowly walked in and closed the door behind him.

"Hey buddy," he said when he saw Sam. "How are we doing?"

"I'm fine," Sam answered quietly, not looking at his father. "Sir."

"Good." John sat at the table next to his son.

"What's happening?" Sam asked again.

"Well like I told your brother, I am shipping you two off to Bobby's for a while."

"What? Why?" Sam asked, looking up. He made eye contact with John, who hesitated to answer.

"Listen, Sam-"

"SERIOUSLY!?" Dean exploded, turning around to face them. "Dad just tell him! Tell him you don't trust him after last night! That's what you told me!"

"DEAN!" John snapped, warning him.

"Wait, what?" Sam asked. His lip started to quiver from the hurt.

"Sam-"

"Dad I said I was sorry!" Sam pleaded.

"I know son," John said calmly. "And I know you still feel bad, which is why I called him, so you could take a little break."

Sam sighed. He lightly kicked one of the table legs.

"I thought you'd be happy about this Sammy," he continued. "You're always saying-"

"I know but… what about you?"

"I already called a friend. He'll be here tomorrow and help me finish the job. Then I'm going to stay to make sure Sarah is out of the woods."

The room got quiet. The only sound was Dean throwing things in his bag.

"So," John announced. "We leave in an hour?"

Both boys nodded. John went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Sam stood up from the table and walked over to his brother.

"Guess we better start packing," he said, breaking the awkward silence between them. Dean glared at him and left the hotel room.

Sam watched him leave. He considered following him but decided to let Dean have his moment.

Sam picked up his duffel and started neatly packing his things. Afterwards, he tidied Dean's bag to the best of his abilities. He wanted to be nice for him but didn't want Dean to know he had touched his stuff.

John came out of the bathroom and gave Sam the spare keys to the Impala. Sam went out and loaded up the cars while John finished getting ready. Sure enough, when the hour was up, Dean returned to the hotel. He was still a bit bummed about the situation.

"You alright?" John asked him.

"Yeah, whatever," Dean mumbled. He got in the Impala. Sam was already in the passenger seat, waiting to leave. John got into his truck and led them away to meet Bobby.


someones-big-sister