Chapter 15

Bobby was sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper and finishing his second cup of coffee when Dean stumbled into the room, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

"You look like crap," Bobby surmised, eyeing him thoughtfully as Dean made a beeline for the coffee pot.

"And good morning to you too," Dean grunted dropping into a seat across from him. He blew across the top of the mug before taking a tentative sip.

"Evidently something has happened son. Might as well get it out and not let it simmer inside of you."

"Dad and I had finished a case in California, and I decided to go check on Sammy. I mean, it's been over two years now and we've not heard anything from him. I wanted to be sure he was okay and try to make amends. I went to Standford, and he wasn't there." Dean paused long enough to sip his coffee before continuing.

Bobby remained quiet as he listened to the young man talk. He knew he couldn't say anything and break Sam's trust. He was going to let him talk and get it off his chest before commenting.

"He wasn't there," Dean sighed sadly. "Sometime during the first semester he left. I was frantic and called Dad for help. I searched every database I could and called his cell phone to find it wasn't in service. Dad contacted a friend who's a computer genius and he found out Sam enlisted in the Marines. All Ash could find out was he was sent overseas."

"Okay, so you know his general location now. Why are you so upset?"

"I had it out with Dad. I told him he was the reason Sammy did that and left him in California. I couldn't be around him any longer. I just can't believe Sammy would do that and not tell me."

"Maybe he wanted to prove something to himself," Bobby offered.

"I just wish I knew how to get in touch with him."

"Maybe he'll reach out to you."

"I hope so. Mind if I give my Baby a tune up?"

"You know you're welcome to use anything out there. There's no need to ask."

"Thanks, and if you have any cars I can work on it'll give me something to do to repay you."

"I'd appreciate the help. What about your daddy?"

"He can go to hell for all I care," Dean spat in annoyance.

"I think after you've calmed down, you might see things differently. He is your daddy."

"Yeah, well, it will be a while before I can do that." Dean finished his coffee and got up. "I'm going to the garage."

"Alright. I need to take some parts to the next town over and will be back after lunch. Help yourself to anything in the fridge."

"Okay. I'll run into town and grab some extra supplies for you."

"Alright, I'll see you later." Bobby pushed his chair back and got up to leave. He stopped by his office for some paperwork before heading out to his car to leave.

Dean looked in the fridge for a moment before grabbing a yogurt. He got a spoon and headed outside to move the Impala to the garage behind the house. He got out and went inside to open a bay door and drive it inside. His Baby needed the oil changed, fluids checked and topped off, maybe a radiator flush, and a general once over. If the weather warmed a little more, Dean thought he might even wash and wax his Baby. She deserved some TLC and he needed to work off some excess energy.

Spn

It was late afternoon when Dean pulled into the driveway of the salvage yard. He had finished taking care of his Baby and went into town for supplies and to check the thrift stores in town to pick up some clothes. He found thrift stores were much cheaper than buying new clothes all the time.

Dean stopped the car so he could grab the mail. He shuffled the letter together and got back into the car to drive around to the front of the house and park. He scooped up the stack of mail and then opened the trunk to grab bags to take inside. The bags went on the counter and the mail on the table.

Something caught his eye as the letters separated and he stopped. Pushing a couple from one particular letter, he frowned because he recognized the handwriting. Plus, it had a funny return address from Germany. It suddenly dawned on him that it was from his brother.

Bobby knew about Sam, and he didn't say a thing to him when he had talked to him. Dean couldn't understand why he would do that. He thought they were friends, family, and to let him babble on like that irked and confused him.

"I brought the rest of the bags in for you," Bobby said sitting them on the counter. He looked toward Dean when he didn't answer him.

"What's this?" Dean asked as his nostrils flared, and a darkness crossed his face.

"Looks like a letter to me," Bobby answered.

"It's from Sammy. I'd recognize this handwriting anywhere. You knew and you didn't say a thing," Dean accused him as his body stiffened. "Why would you do that? Why didn't you tell me?" he growled angrily.

"Watch that tone with me boy," Bobby replied. "Yes, I knew about your brother, and I didn't tell you because he made me promise not to. He didn't want you to know."

"But why? I mean, I could see not telling Dad, but why leave me in the dark?" Dean threw his hands up in confusion.

"Maybe he was afraid you'd try and stop him."

"And that would have been a bad thing?"

"Dean, your brother made a choice that he thought was right for him."

"Damnit! It was Dad," Dean snapped. "It was how he treated us after Mom died."

"I think that was part of the reason, but I think Sam needed to find his own way."

"So, he's in Germany? What is he doing?"

"From what Sam wrote me, he's in an elite special operation unit. He can't tell me anything about what he is doing because it's classified."

"Wow! When Sammy does something, he doesn't do it halfway. He's a badass," Dean proudly said. "Here open it and see how he's doing." Dean handed the letter to Bobby and waited anxiously for him to read it.

"I don't get many and they're usually delayed several weeks," Bobby explained. He quickly scanned the handwritten page, smiling warmly. "Sam says he's been given his own team, and they are working well together."

"His own team, way to go Sammy," Dean praised him. "Is he doing okay?"

"Sounds like it, here, read it yourself."

Dean took the letter and quickly read it twice, trying to imagine his little brother a badass Marine. He wished Sammy was in front of him so he could tell him how proud he was of him. But this also worried him too. Sammy was putting his life in danger fighting unknown enemies, god knows where. He knew enough to realize special forces usually took on the most dangerous missions.

"Do you think he'd mind if I wrote to him?" Dean asked looking up at Bobby with uncertainty.

"I think he'd like that, son. Being away from family and home does wear on a person."

"Sammy's defending this country and he needs to know how proud I am of him." He picked the envelope up and glanced at it for a moment before folding it and stuffing it in his pocket.

"Might be a good idea to get that food put away."

"Oh yeah, I should do that," Dean agreed laying the letter on the table and walking to the counter to begin unloading the bags and putting away his purchases. "I'll start some dinner when I finish. How does burgers with home fries sound?"

"Sounds good to me son. I need to do some paperwork, so I'll be in the office if you need me."

"I'm good. Oh, Bobby, I'm not telling Dad about Sammy. I think it should be Sam's choice to tell him or not when he comes home."

"That's your choice to make."

"Yeah, it is." Dean turned back to his work, leaving out what he would need to fix dinner. He couldn't stop thinking about Sammy and what he was doing overseas. The dangers were tremendous, and he knew how high the risk was for him. He decided to write to him after dinner and get it in the mail with the hope he would get a reply soon.

Dean let Bobby know when dinner was ready and was surprised when he brought a picture of Sammy in his dress blues when he graduated from basic. He couldn't believe it was Sammy and had to laugh when he saw he had no hair. This was probably the first time he had ever had his hair this short. Bobby chuckled along with him because he knew had fussy Sam was with his hair.

A/N: Dean learns that Bobby knew about Sammy and at first is upset but understands why he didn't tell him. He is going to write to Sammy and start building up a bond again. Reviews/Comments would be great. NC