Chapter 8

With the two attackers dealt with, the remaining recruits began working as a team and supporting each other, looking out for each other, and things moved a lot smoother. The drill sergeants were impressed with the team and felt a big part had to do recruit Winchester. He was their leader but didn't flaunt it or try to act better than anyone else.

"How many have shot a rifle?" DS Hardin asked as the recruits stood at attention at the firing range. He watched as half the group raised their hands. "Good, we're going to see if you are trained or can be trained with a firearm use. Now, I want each of you to take a rifle and move to a firing position. Now!"

Sam chose a rifle and moved to a spot. He looked the gun over, checking to be sure it wasn't loaded, that the parts moved easily, and it had been properly cleaned. He would have liked to have broken it down but knew that wasn't what they were supposed to do. This didn't get by the drill sergeant.

"Alright ladies, I want extreme caution taken now because I don't want anyone getting accidentally shot. Is everyone listening to me?" he shouted making a couple guys jump and almost drop their rifles.

"Yes DS," they yelled back.

"Guns should always be pointed downward, even if they're not loaded. You will be given five rounds and I want you to load, aim, and fire at the targets that are in front of you. Gunny, if you will hand out the ammo and headsets."

Five rounds were given to each recruit, who then stretched out on the mats and waited for the order to be given. They placed the headsets over their ears ready to begin.

"Recruits! Load, aim, and fire!" DS Hardin ordered. He used a pair of binoculars to watch the targets and see if any knew what they were doing.

Sam carefully set the bullets on the mat beside him and took one loading it into the chamber. He raised the gun to his shoulder and sited the target down the barrel. Taking a deep breath, he fired the first round, reloaded, and fired again, doing this a total of five times. When he was done, Sam stood and placed the rifle back on the table.

"DS, somethings wrong with my gun," a recruit complained as he turned toward him and jiggled the lever.

"Watch out!" Sam yelled as he tackled the DS just before the gun discharged.

"Did you not listen?" Gunny screamed at the recruit as he jerked the rifle from his hands. "You almost shot your DS."

"DS, are you okay?" Sam asked, helping him to his feet.

"Winchester, you're surprising me every time I turn around," DS Hardin grunted before stomping to the trembling recruit. "You are lucky Winchester is quick on his feet dumbass. Drop and give me thirty pushups right now!"

The recruit fell to the ground and began to do the pushups, counting off after each one. His voice was trembling, and tears spilled from his eyes. He didn't dare look at anything but the ground. His arms began to get weak after twelve and he slowed his movements as it got harder to do them.

"Winchester, who taught you to shoot?"

"My father, DS. I'm good but my brother is much better."

"Too bad he didn't enlist. We could use skilled marksmen. You scored 96% which is very good for your first time."

"Thank you DS," Sam replied feeling a little self-conscious.

"When you are finished, replace your rifle and line up," DS Hardin yelled to the other recruits.

Once everyone was lined up, he sent two to retrieve the targets and give them to him. He looked at each one carefully and then looked up at the recruits.

"Well ladies, looks like we've got work to do."

Spn

Sam knocked on the office door and waited for admittance.

"Enter," a voice called to him.

"You wanted to see me DS?" Sam greeted him as he stood at attention in front of his desk.

"At ease recruit."

Sam placed his hands behind his back and waited for the DS to talk. He wasn't sure why he wanted to see him and hoped someone hadn't screwed up and he was getting the blame.

"Winchester, I wanted to thank you for what you did on the firing range," DS Hardin started. "I've had my eye on you since you got here, and I am impressed. You're the perfect recruit. You listen, do as you're told, you're a quick learner, and already know quite a bit about being a Marine from your father."

"Thank you DS," Sam answered, blown away with the praise.

"If you continue to excel like this, I think you have a good future ahead of you. I was told by higher up to pick four of the best from this group, if there were that many, for a special assignment. Would you be interested if you meet the requirements?"

"Yes DS, I would be."

"Good, I'll let you know if you are chosen. Now, keep up the good work. Your fellow grunts have accepted you as their leader and respect you. I'm sure I picked well. Dismissed."

"Yes DS." Sam stood at attention for a moment before turning to leave. He let out a sigh of relief once outside and decided to use some free time to make a call to Bobby to let him know how he was doing and to give him his address.

The line for the two phones that they were allowed to use was short, so he didn't have to wait but fifteen minutes for his turn. He anxiously dialed the number and trembled with the anticipation of hearing a familiar voice. He so wished it could have been his big brother, but knew he couldn't call him, not yet.

Spn

Bobby looked around on the desk for his ringing cell phone as he grumbled to himself. He looked at the number but didn't recognize it and almost didn't answer it.

"Who is this?" Bobby snapped a greeting.

"Hey Bobby, it's Sam," Sam warmly greeted him, smiling to hear a familiar voice. "Sam Winchester."

"Sam, son, it's good to hear your voice," Bobby softened as he pictured the young man in his head. "How are things going? Have you settled in yet? Are you still happy with the decision you made?"

"It's okay, I guess. I was assigned team leader by the DS. He seems to be impressed by my performances so far."

"I didn't have any doubt about that. You've always been a smart kid with a good head on his shoulders."

"Thanks," he shyly replied. "I have to thank Dad for the training he gave us growing up. I didn't like it at the time, but it has come in handy now. I knew a little of what to expect and quickly adapted to my environment."

"I'm glad to hear that. At least it's coming in handy for something."

"Have you heard from Dad or Dean?" he cautiously asked.

"Not lately, but I have my feelers out and I haven't heard anything bad. I guess that's a good thing."

"I hope so. Oh, let me give you my address so you can keep in touch. I'll send you a letter when I know what's happening with me."

"Hold on, let me get a pen," Bobby grumbled as he moved papers until he found one. "Okay, go ahead."

Sam rattled off the address and Bobby read it back to him to be sure he had it correct. They talked a few more minutes before Sam had to go with a promise that he would call him again before basic training was over.

Bobby closed his cell and sat back in his desk chair thinking about the youngest Winchester and hoping he took care of himself. He looked at the address for a moment before slipping into his address book for safe keeping. He wondered if John knew what Sam had done, would he be proud of him or angry that he wasn't following in his footsteps. With a heavy sigh, Bobby went back to work finishing the books and paying bills.

A/N: Sam seems to be doing well in basic training thanks to his dad. Who would have guessed? Thank you for coming on this journey. Thank you to any guests who left reviews and to Kathy for reviewing each chapter. Reviews/Comments would be great. NC