Wayward Winchesters

by theflash7

When tragedy strikes a seemingly normal family, a young hero by the name of Dottie Winchester moves in with her uncle and three cousins: Dean, Sam, and Eli. The newly assembled team will travel across the country doing what they do best: hunting things, saving people, you know, the family business.

8. Standford

Stanford

Sam had a secret.

Something he had been hiding from his entire family for almost a full year. Not something light that could be fixed with a slap on the head courtesy of John Winchester, but something colossal and so well-hidden from his family that it would feel like the world was collapsing if they found out now; at least to Dottie, who valued the togetherness of family and sticking together more than anyone else is the family.

Sam was leaving for college, and he wasn't coming back.

Feathers and Blood

A heavy and certainly unexpected weight landed on top of the youngest son's magenta flower bedspread, causing him to emit an oof at the impact.

"Rise and Shine, Sammy!" Dean's voice boomed, making him shoot out of bed.

"Ugh, Dean," Sam answered, now fully awake and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Dude, why'd you do that?" He asked angrily, hitting his brother with the stuffed pillow. In response, Dean picked up the other pillow and whacked it across his brother's head.

"Don't go starting something you can't finish, Sam." Dean jokingly threatened with his pillow cocked and ready to strike again.

"Are you teenage girls done with your pillow fight?" Dottie asked loudly from the motel kitchen.

"Hey! I'm a teenager, and I don't do things like that." Eli pouted quietly from the table, where she was busy finishing her undone math assignment from the previous night.

"Are you asking me to hit you with a pillow, E?" Dean asked, slowly raising his pillow over his head.

"Dean, don't even think about it," Eli warned, holding up her blue mechanical pencil. Dean took another step forward, and Eli slowly got out of her chair. "I swear, Dean, I will get my knife and cut that pillow in half."

He smiled, "You know," Dean began with a smug voice, "I would be scared if this were even my pillow." He said the last part quietly and looked over to Dottie, who was currently playing 'Mrs. Mom' in the kitchen.

"Dean, bringing Dottie into this?" Eli smiled towards her older sister, taking a few steps towards the wall, so Dean had his back towards the food. "That was a BIG mistake." She said ominously, waiting for Dean to charge. But, before he took two steps, a sharp THWACK echoed throughout the small motel room.

Dean turned his head to see Sammy and his younger sister Dottie standing with Dean's pillow firmly held in her hands.

"Drop it, Dean. You're outnumbered." Dottie warned with a smirk.

"Woah, okay, okay," He started holding his hands up in surrender, "Alright, let me just put it down," Dean slowly started to lower his weapon to the ground, but before it was unusable, he flung it up towards Dottie's face, launching her back into Sammy, who also promptly fell onto the floor. Dean smiled, watching the two of them, before turning around to face his other sister, who now had a look of terror on her face.

"Wow," Dean stated resolutely, swinging his pillow back and forth mockingly. "Trying to play this three v one, are we?" He asked as Eli dropped her pencil onto the ground, silently praying that it wouldn't break despite the chaos, cause it was her only one. "That's fine," Dean said, now standing almost right in front of his sister, "I could take all three of you...with my eyes closed." He bragged, closing his eyes while stating the last part. Eli gulped. This is bad. This is very, very bad. She repeated to herself. If there was one thing she knew, it was that Dean was competitive, and while Winchester pillow fights were rare when they did happen, they were more or less wars; and, Dean, the reigning champion, had no mercy when it came to whacking his siblings.

"Can I at least have a pillow?" She asked quietly, looking at his face as he bent down to hear her.

"What was that?" He asked sarcastically, putting his hand up to his ear.

"Can I have a pillow please," She paused for a moment and exhaled, not wanting to say the words he desired to hear, "Pillow Fight Champion?" Eli finally said sulkily.

"That's better," Dean commented, standing up to his full height of six feet, which greatly towered over Eli's scanty height of five foot and three inches. "Well, I am a fair ruler of this title," He monologued, turning to see Dottie and Sam still stewing on the carpet. "But," Dean interrupted himself looking back at Eli. "My throne was almost overthrown today," He pointed, "by you, kiddo." She swallowed and stared at him nervously, "I don't think you deserve a weapon."

"Dean, come on," Sammy said from his spot on the floor, "don't be a jerk." He turned to face his little brother.

"Dean-" Dottie started but was abruptly interrupted.

"SILENCE!" Dean said jokingly, now fully embracing his role as the king of Winchester pillow fights. "Trying to overthrow the king is a crime, Samuel, you know that. As do you Dottie." Sam leaned back and dropped his head back on the ground while Dottie still attempted to regain her balance from the strike issued by king Dean.

He turned around once more to face his littlest sister; only she wasn't there. "Eli?" Dean asked, somewhat panicked. "Eli?" He questioned again, looking around the motel for her.

Moments later, the youngest Winchester appeared standing on the bed she and Dean shared the previous night, with her pillow in hand. "HE MAY TAKE OUR LIVES!" Eli shouted, quoting one of her and Dean's favorite movies, causing all the siblings to turn their heads, "BUT HE WILL NEVER TAKE," she pointed at Dean, with two pillows in arms, "OUR FREEDOM!!!" With that final word, Eli launched herself onto her brother's back, releasing a swarm of feathered pillows into his face.

Once Dean realized his throne was under siege, he plopped down on the bed, squishing his sister under his back.

"Dean, get off!" Eli yelled, trying to push her trapped arms out from her brother.

"FOR NARNIA!" Dottie shouted, running towards Dean and landing crippling blows near his neck; however, after the first dozen swings, he caught onto Dottie's pattern and managed to grab her pillow before it hit him, disabling Dottie's pillows within his grasp.

"FOR ASLAN!" Sammy shouted, charging at Dean with his half-drooled on pillow from less than twenty minutes ago.

"SAMMY, stop!" Dean warned as his younger brother was repeatedly hitting his head. Both of Dean's arms were occupied with keeping Dottie's pillows unarmed or stopping the raining swats from Eli's hands.

"Say it, Dean." Sam challenged, pausing his onslaught and smirking at his older brother while holding the 'weapon' up to his throat.

"No," Dean grounded out through gritted teeth, "Never."

"You've already lost, dorkous, just. Say. It." Dottie chimed in, each word emphasized by a pull on her captive pillows.

Dean's grip on her cushions increased as a plan formulated in his head. Eli slapped the top of his head as she was still trapped under his body, snapping him back into reality. Smirking, he mockingly held up his hands in surrender.

"Okay, alright. Fine, you win." Dean acted, pretending to be out of breath.

"You know what happens next, Dean." Sammy boasted, holding his pillow up over his black curly hair.

Dean rolled his eyes and nodded his noggin, "Yes, Sam, geese, just do it already." He stated exasperatedly.

All Winchester pillow fights ended one way—the final blow. This one hit occurred when the last person had surrendered the battle, and a new champion would be named. Since Dottie was still unable to pull out her pillows, and Eli was practically suffocating under the weight of her big brother, Sammy would be the last person able to be named as the victor.

Almost as if in slow motion, Sam smiled and, wanting to make his brother remember the pain of his pillow, aimed directly for the top of Dean's head. However, Dean released Dottie's pillow with unknown speed and agility, causing her to stumble back onto the other bed as he swiftly rolled off of the bed, landing on the floor with all fours.

Sam's face changed from success to horror as Eli's eyes grew about ten sizes, watching Sam's weapon of mass destruction coming right at her nose. Then, as if someone decided to unfreeze time, Sammy's pillow connected with her face, instantly causing a red stream of blood to launch up in the air.

"Eli!" Sam yelled, dropping the nose slightly blood-splattered pillow and pinching the bridge of her nose to alleviate some pressure from the broken blood vessel. Dottie quickly ran to the bathroom, grabbing a box of tissues, a trash can, and a small green plastic unknown object. Sitting down next to her sister, Dot pulled out many tissues and pressed them up against her nose.

"I'm sorry, kiddo, that was meant for Dean, not you," Sam said, kissing the top of her head. Dottie reached over and slapped the back of his head.

"Wow, Samantha, look at what you did." Dot's hand motioned towards the now ever-growing pile of bloody tissues in the trash can.

"Yes, Sam, look at what you did." Dean ominously spoke up from the far corner of the motel room, where he had stolen a great majority of the pillows.

"Dean, knock it off, man. She's bleeding, the war's over." Sam replied, still pinching the bridge of his sister's nose.

"Actually, Sammy, it's not over until you surrender," Dean answered, looking slyly at his brother and sisters.

"No," Eli's voice broke through the tension, causing all heads to snap in her direction. "He's right. It's not over." She leaned her head forward and pushed Sam's hand away. Dottie rolled her eyes, already planning for Hurricane Eli to make her reappearance. Letting out a chuckle, she reached down onto the mattress and opened the small package revealing a tampon.

"What the hell..." Dean trailed off, surprised by this turn of events.

Reading her sister's mind, Eli put the device in her nose and tossed the excess plastic on the floor. Sam looked on with absolute horror, and Dottie was smiling mischievously. Eli rose to her feet and grabbed the red-stained pillow from the ground, pointing it in Dean's direction.

"Eli..." Dean started looking at the blood covering the lower part of her face.

"No, Dean," She began, wiping some of the excess plasma away from her face. "This is between you and me." She paused, hoping to make him just as fearful as she felt earlier, "Because now -- it's personal."

With that, Eli charged towards Dean, anticipating to catch her brother off guard. The pillow came down over and over until Eli was out of breath and bleeding heavily onto the motel's horrible carpet.

Dottie leaned over to Sam, who watched the interaction with wide eyes, "Should I make some popcorn?" She asked, nudging his arm.

"H-how did you know to bring," he motioned to the discarded piece of plastic on the floor, "that out here?" Sam asked.

"Please," Dottie scoffed, "have you met our little sister? It was never going to be over without some blood. She's too competitive." The conversation was interrupted by the sound of Dean's loud voice.

"ALRIGHT, Eli!" He yelled, hands cloaked in blood from trying to protect his head. "Look, I'm sorry I hit you, but-"

"Say it, Dean," she warned, cutting off his sentence.

"Say what?" He questioned somewhat sarcastically.

Eli's hand rose back, ready to strike again, when Dean's voice broke through, "OKAY, fine," He surrendered, "Eli Winchester, you are the new and reigning," Dean paused, but when Eli raised her eyebrow back at him, he was able to mutter, "Pillow Fight Champion."

"Sorry, Dean, what was that?" Eli questioned, holding her hand up to her ear like he had done moments before.

"Really?" He asked, scoffing. Elizabeth nodded her head and smirked. "You are the Pillow Fight Champion," Dean repeated, very bitter he'd lost his throne.

Eli patted his cheek with a somewhat bloody hand and leaned in close to his ear, "Damn straight I am, Dean." She whispered before standing up and slamming her pillow into his face delivering the final blow.

"LET'S GO!" Dottie shouted, running over and high-fiving her sister. "That. Was. AWESOME!" She exclaimed, raising her fits in the air with each word.

"Not for me!" Dean shouted, holding the side of his face, "That hurt!"

"Good job, kiddo," Sam added, placing another kiss on the crown of her head. "Thanks for beating him up for me." He winked at her before looking over at the defeated Dean.

Eli took a deep breath and walked over to her older brother. She extended her hand, helping him off the ground, and wrapped an arm around his waist.

"I think you broke my nose Dean," She muttered, looking up at him.

"I didn't do anything." He emphasized, smiling back down at her, "That was all Sammy."

"Hey-" Sam tried to chime in but was cut off by Dean.

"You know," He began with another devious smirk, "Maybe next time we should team up and take them both down." Dean more or less whispered.

Eli let out a laugh and rammed her elbow into his gut, "You're only saying that because I beat your ass." She winked, bending down to pick up her only mechanical pencil from the ground, which was thankfully not harmed during the battle.

"LANGUAGE," both brother's chastised as Eli rolled her eyes.

"Whatever, Dean," Dottie began with her hands on her hips, "You just can't win alone anymore," She mocked, clicking her tongue. "You must be too old."

"I'll give you too old," he muttered, getting ready to attack again.

"Woah, woah, hold it, Dean. Don't you want to help get the new champion cleaned up since you're the one who almost broke her nose?" Sam asked, smiling.

Dean looked down at his sister and noticed how absolutely bloody she really was. He tucked his hand under her chin to see the damage and grimaced.

"Really that bad, huh?" She questioned, wiping her bloodied palm against her forehead.

"Yeah, it's gross," He joked, letting go of her face. "Come on, kiddo, let's get you sorted out." Eli smiled and started walking towards the bathroom with both of Dean's hands on her shoulders.

Suddenly, an odd smell began to fill the room, almost as if something was burning.

"Oh no!" Dottie exclaimed, causing Sam's head to shoot up at her, "My eggs!" Dot took off towards the kitchen to find the once uncooked yellow scrambled eggs, smoking an ugly black color. "My eggs." She repeated defeatedly as Sam rested his hand on her slumped shoulder, letting out a little laugh.

"Hey!" She said, ramming her elbow into his torso. Sam held up his hands in defense.

"I never said it was funny!" He replied with a smile. "Hey, come on, I'll help you make some more," Sam offered, retrieving the egg carton from the counter. "But first," He grabbed the pan and held it over the trash can.

"Yeah, probably for the best. Those eggs smelled like three day old roadkill." She chuckled, spraying the pan once more with the oils.

"Dottie…" Sam mumbled, putting a hand to his forehead, hating the way she described things so vividly.

Meanwhile, Dean's hand was cupped underneath his little sister's face trying to hold her head high enough to stop the bleeding.

"Thanks, bubba." She whispered with a smile.

He let out a small laugh and continued to pinch the top of her nose. "Anytime, Sunshine," Dean responded.

After ten more excruciating minutes, the bleeding had finally been somewhat appeased. Dean threw the bloodied tissues into the garbage bin next to the toilet and grabbed a cloth from the chipped towel rack. Eli turned on the sink, and Dean soaked the rag under the warm water and began to ring it out.

"I can do this part, Dean," Eli informed, turning off the tap.

"Yeah, I know." He responded casually, shrugging his shoulders as he started wiping the dried blood from her face and neck.

There were a few minutes of comfortable silence as Dean repeated the pattern of damping the cloth and wiping the blood from her features.

"Hey, Dean?" Eli asked as her brother worked on a particularly stubborn part of plasma stuck to her jaw.

"What's up?" He questioned, still scrubbing the same spot.

"Is Sammy... is he leaving us?" Her small voice questioned.

Dean froze at her inquisition and turned his focus onto her. "Where'd that question come from?" He asked, "That's a little out at left field, Kiddo."

She let out a short sad laugh and looked up to the double light fixture hanging above the bathroom mirror. "Yeah, I know it's just, I mean, he's so smart, and he'll be done with high school pretty soon." She shrugged, "I don't know, but it just seems like he doesn't wanna be in this life anymore. He fights with dad all the time, and, well, I don't know," she paused and met his gaze, "he just deserves better than us, Dean."

Dean let a sad smile play at his lips before brushing a piece of hair out from her face. "Honestly, Eli, I don't know what geek boy is going to do." He let out a breath and watched her lips twitch in a small smile. "But," he continued, "you're wrong about one thing."

Eli turned her head to the side and looked at him perplexed, "What?"

"He doesn't deserve better than us; he, hell we all," he motioned his hand around the room, "deserve better than this life. But not each other. Does that make sense?"

She nodded her head and looked down at her hands that were currently resting in her lap. Dean rolled his eyes and slid his calloused hand underneath her chin, and seemingly read her thoughts.

"He's not going to abandon you, sunshine. He would never be able to do that to you. He's too," he paused for a moment, "feminine. Ow! Hey!"

Eli shook her hand out after ramming her fist into the brick wall of Dean's chest. "No, he's not Dean. You just have no heart." Dean shrugged his shoulders and released a small grin.

"Same thing." He smirked and watched as his sister was trying to shake the pain out of her hand. "What? Hurt your hand there, princess?" Dean said with a shit-eating grin.

"No," she huffed, releasing her hand and looking up angrily at him. "And I'm not a princess. I'm a hunter like you."

Once more, he rolled his eyes, but this time he felt a bit more affection swimming around his heart, "Yeah, yeah—whatever, sunshine. What do you say we get this cut patched up here, so we can eat and then head out." Eli nodded her head and waited for the inevitable sting of the water and alcohol to make contact with her skin.

"Hey, Dean?" She asked, resting her hand on top of his. He looked at her, awaiting an answer, "Thanks." In return, he smiled and continued the task.

The Decision

"Have a good day, nerds!" Dean's voice boomed outside of the rundown high school in a no-name town in Indiana. Eli rolled her eyes, closing the back seat door a little harder than necessary while pulling the backpack strap closer to her shoulder, trying to move the strap away from a bruise. If there was one thing Eli knew right at that moment, it was that she did not want to be in school. Sam caught up with her short stride and bumped her shoulder.

"It's okay. Dean's just jealous because you totally destroyed him during the fight this morning." He smiled smugly, turning back around to see the Impala rip out of the parking lot.

"I guess," She mumbled, not really in the mood to chat with Sam. Eli's nose was still swollen a deep purple, and while there were no more stray fragments of blood, it still felt like her nose was bleeding. "I'll see you later, Sammy," Eli said quietly to him before making a beeline to her locker.

"Bye!" He yelled somewhat loudly and also very confused by her lack of communication. At that moment, he felt a hand tap the top of his left shoulder; turning around, he saw none other than Dottie Winchester standing to the right of him. "Dot? What are you doing here?" Sam questioned. "You said you were going to stay home?"

"Yeah, I was planning on it." She began, "But we really need to talk." Dottie announced with finality.

"Now?" He asked again.

Dottie rolled her eyes, "No, Sam, tomorrow. Yes now! Why else would I have come if it wasn't important?"

"Okay, okay." He held up his hands in surrender. "Where do you want to chat?"

"Follow me." She grinned before leading him to a mildly abandoned back hallway obviously used as discrete corners for couples.

After a moment, Dottie found a corner illuminated only by the window light shining through from the ground floor. "Here, you may want to sit, Sammy."

Hesitantly, Sam took a seat on the ground and folded his long legs up in a more comfortable position. "Dottie, you're kinda scaring me. Is everything okay?" He asked, searching her no longer humorous blue eyes.

"I don't know, Sammy, is everything okay?" Dot responded, turning her head slightly to the side in question.

"I-I don't know what-"

Interrupting his statement without any words, Dottie very slyly laid an envelope down on the school tile. Everything seemed to freeze, not only sound and vision but the concept of time itself. Sam's mouth opened and closed as he looked at the white stock envelope with the words Stanford University written at the top. But perhaps the most frightening words were who it was the recipient--Sam Winchester. Dottie Winchester had just uncovered Sam's worst fear.

"Dottie, I can explain." enlarged hazel green eyes broke away from the evidence and met the easily identifiable eyes of his sister. He started speaking but was immediately cut off by the impact of her body weight slamming into his own; however, it wasn't a punch or a slap like he had been expecting; no, it was something much more unexpected--a hug.

"Sammy," Her voice was muffled into his flannel but nonetheless seemed clear as day. "I am so proud of you." Once again, Sam's entire body froze. His arms had not yet wrapped around his sister's body, but, hearing those seven little words, his heart melted. With all of the intensity of an erupting volcano, Sam wrapped his arms unwaveringly around her torso.

The pair seemed to be stuck in the moment. It was almost poetic. It was a picture of a family being separated yet united through a simple letter, a message that could change both their worlds, for the better or, the worse.

After a moment, Dottie pulled her body away from his and ruffled his ever-growing silky black hair. Her thumb maneuvered onto his face and wiped the single tear that had managed to escape his beautiful young eyes. "Why didn't you tell me, Sammy?" She asked, not angrily but almost hurt.

"Dot, I'm so sorry, I just didn't know, well I thought you'd be angry." He answered meekly, still making eye contact with her.

"What?" Her voice questioned unbelievingly, "Angry? With you for being smarter than all of us combined?" She joked a little, hoping to see him smile. "Sammy, I am so proud of you for this, and well, everything. But this is huge!" Dottie spoke softly, hoping that he would know deep down that she was truly happy for him. A small, sad smile made its way onto his face before looking down at the letter.

"Well," he began, "I don't even know if I got in yet, Dot." Sam fiddled with his hands now resting in his lap, "That's also why I didn't say anything, because if I didn't get in, then there'd be no point, ya know?" He asked, hoping and praying that she would understand.

"Sammy, it's okay. I promise I'm not mad at you." She said, bringing her hand to his, "I'm a little sad you didn't tell me, but never angry, okay?"

This time, Sam's smile met the corner of his eyes, "Thanks, cowgirl." He said quietly, still smiling.

"Anytime." She answered quickly, with a smile reaching her own eyes. Sammy's eyes nonchalantly made eye contact with the letter on the ground, and Dottie could tell that he was extremely nervous. "Hey," she began, waiting until he looked at her. "Come on, Sammy." Dottie handed the letter to him as he gulped, "Worst thing they can say is no." She grinned, watching him take the envelope with shaky hands. He took a deep breath and stared at the note. "If you want me to leave so you can have a moment; I can go for a while." She began.

"No! No, please stay, Dot." He responded promptly, reaching out to grab her wrist. She laughed as Sammy's hand was wrapped tightly around her wrist.

"Okay, well, come on, Sam! You're making me more nervous, and it's not even my letter!" Once more, he let out a shaky breath and a grin. A million thoughts raced through his mind as he saw Dottie watching him with wide eyes. He was so grateful to have an older sister like her, and what she had just done for him made Sam realize once more how incredibly lucky he was. Dottie didn't get angry or upset with him for keeping a secret, nor did she question the college choice.

But rather, she smiled and encouraged him.

Sam would always, always admire that about her. She never questioned the cost of most things, not because she wasn't worried about money, but because money isn't everything. Even though Sam had no proof, he was certain that if he did get into Stanford, Dottie would never once bring up the cost; she'd just smile and hustle some more pool to help pay for his books and probably make Dean do the same.

He didn't realize it, but by the time his thought process had concluded, the letter was out of the envelope and folded neatly in his palms. He looked back up at his older sister, who seemed to be watching in slow motion, and just looked at her for a moment. Not the terrible hall red tile flooring, the spiderwebs lining the dark ceiling corners or even the letter to determine his future; he just looked at his beautiful, amazing, and never-ending supportive sister and smiled.

"Thank you, Dottie." He acknowledged her with finality as her eyes snapped up to his. Almost as if moving on autopilot, the letter opened in his hands. Sam couldn't think straight enough to read more than a select few words on the paper.

Sam Winchester,

We are pleased ... fall semester at Stanford University ... President's full-ride ... look forward to meeting you ...

Congratulations.

His heart froze once more as his eyes slowly moved off the coffee-stained colored paper to meet the eyes of his sister.

"WELL?!" She questioned, waving her arms. When she was met with unbelieving silence, she raised her voice once more, "SAM, you're killing me! Come on!"

Sam cleared his throat and, with a small and happy voice, answered, "I got in."

Bullies

Growing up a Winchester sometimes seemed like the world's greatest curse. Sure there were good days spent driving around in Baby with the family, and yes, even mornings filled with violent pillow fights were fun. But like everything in life, the bad eventually catches up with you.

Eli felt her back slam into the tall red locker located conveniently behind her. Her torn green hand-me-down backpack was on its last legs, and she was praying that it wouldn't choose this moment to give out, revealing her butterfly knife and various lore books shoved into the bottom. She brushed a piece of long blonde hair out of her face and met the eyes of someone she wished was a stranger. Micheal Spencer. Not only was Micheal a senior, but he was also just as old as her brother Sam, and nearly the same towering height. Why he chose to pick on her will always be a mystery to Eli.

"Hey Winchester, watch where you're going next time," Micheal warned, putting his face in proximity too close for comfort. There was no doubt in her mind that she could take this idiot down to the ground in the blink of an eye; she'd done it before in her last school. But something in her mind told her no. It wasn't because she was afraid of them, but, rather, because she didn't want to be labeled as a freak -- again. Eli also knew that if she told anyone in her family that the kid would be sporting a very beaten face, or maybe he'd just be dead -- it depended on who found out first. And no matter how much she might have hated the kid, she didn't dislike anyone enough to have to face the wrath of her siblings.

Although keeping her daily misery a secret was becoming more and more challenging. Not because her tormentor was hurting her mentally, but because bruises from getting punched and pushed often don't tend to go away overnight. Hiding the ones from being shoved into the lockers was easier because no one in her family ever looked at her back. But, hiding the bruises on her stomach and arms was becoming exceedingly difficult. Eli was brought back into reality when a cold hand tapped the side of her cheek twice as she remembered where she was.

"Get off, Micheal, I don't have time for this today," She spat, looking into his dark brown eyes that seemed to yearn for violence.

"Well, yeah, I mean, look at your face," He began laughing and looking back towards his friends, "Looks like someone already got to you before I could," Micheal questioned with a smug grin on his face that made Eli boil with a rage she hadn't felt in quite some time. He snorted, looking back at her very swollen nose, "What, is your daddy beating you?"

Instead of becoming too riled, she remembered what Sam used to do when he fought off his tormentors -- stay calm. "You're not worth my time, Micheal," She responded, pushing his hand away from her face.

Rather than pity her clearly swollen appearance, he grabbed the back of her long blonde hair bun and swung her body back around, just in time to make contact with his fist. "I didn't say you could leave." He growled, adjusting his grip to the front of her shirt. Eli felt a stinging in her eye and did her best not to grow fearful of him. Sure, she had been trained to hunt the supernatural; hell, at fourteen, she had even killed her first werewolf! But fighting off real people, and more importantly, ones that she couldn't kill, made her quite anxious, and more often than she would like to admit, she froze.

Even though it was a second later than she'd hoped for, the bell rang throughout the hallways, informing students to head to their next classes. Micheal's face formed into a mischievous smile as he leaned his mouth close to Eli's ear. "We'll finish this conversation later, blondie." He informed, dropping the grip he had on her and letting her body stumble back a few steps. Eli was left alone in the hallway, stomach-turning with anger and anticipation. She shoved her hand into her pocket and felt the small pocket knife that Dean had given to her for her thirteenth birthday. Oddly enough, feeling the engravings on the wooden handle calmed Eli down immensely. Even with the weapon just in her pocket, she could feel the engraved flower encompassing her initials. Letting out a deep breath, she remembered just how badly her eye hurt, and deciding that it would be better to be a few minutes late to class than look like a complete wreck, she escaped to the only place she could think of that offered her comfort -- the abandoned back hallway.

Ice Cream and Indecision

"Don't you think that I'm a little too old for this, Dottie?" Sam's voice questioned as he stood outside of the diner with his college acceptance letter in one hand and a vanilla ice cream cone in the other. Dottie smiled and rolled her eyes at the clearly very embarrassed look on her younger brother's face.

"Yeah, yeah, just smile, gigantor." She requested, pulling out the flip phone from her back pocket to capture this moment for Sammy. "Say Dottie is your favorite!" Dot entertained, waiting to see a genuine smile appear on his face.

"Dot is your favorite," He laughed, almost dropping the cone in the process. She smiled once more and walked back over to Sammy, ruffling his hair, seeing as he could not defend himself because both of his hands were full. "I see, prey on the defenseless," He joked, elbowing her arm.

"I take those moments when I can get 'em." She retorted, walking over to one of the many picnic tables adjacent to the rundown and well-loved diner. After a few moments of content silence, Dottie looked up to see Sam's nose painted white from his ice cream. "Nice sunscreen, Haselhoff," She joked, pointing at his nose. Sam rolled his eyes and used the side of his sleeve to wipe off the mess.

"Whatever." He mumbled, still enjoying his cone.

"Hey Sammy," Dottie's voice began to grow more serious in nature as she waited for his hopeful big hazel eyes to meet hers. "You know, I know it's been hard for you not having the apple pie life or whatever you and Dean call it, but I just hope that maybe today you felt like a normal kid, with his family celebrating his college acceptance letter." She paused and saw the side of his mouth twitch into a smile for a brief moment, "And, well, truthfully, I have no idea what real families do, but my Pa always used to take me out for ice cream in celebration of things, and I guess I just thought that maybe I could do that for you now." Dottie hadn't realized she'd been rambling until she saw the full smirk that appeared on her brother's lips. "What?" She asked only a little defensively.

"Nothing, Dot," He grinned as her shoulders relaxed. "You are just never emotional, I guess, so it's kinda funny to see you anxious about it." He concluded, shrugging his shoulders and taking a bite of the cone.

"Asshole," She mumbled, focusing back on her own desserts.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever, cowgirl." He grinned, seeing her smile despite his words. "But really, Dottie, thank you. I mean, I guess I wish that our parents could have taken us to do stuff like this with us, but then I remember that they've never really been there for any of that stuff; it's always just been the four of us. So, to have mom and dad here, instead of you, Dean and Eli, well, it just wouldn't feel right." He concluded, looking sheepish.

"Who's rambling now," Dottie mumbled, but blushing slightly at his words, thankful that she had chosen to bail him out of school early. "You should definitely apply to more colleges so that the diner will keep giving us free ice cream, Sam. I mean, that is why you applied, right? For the free desserts?"

"Ha. ha. ha." Sam mock laughed. But then, a moment of fearful realization hit Sam. "You know that I didn't apply to get away from you guys, right."

For the first time since talking about this, Dot let out a truly sad yet relieved grin. "I know, Sam." She responded, "I mean, I would do anything to get away from Dean and his insane movie references too, but I mean there are easier ways to do that than getting a full ride to Stanford." She joked, watching Sam relax a bit at her words. "No, really, Sam, I do understand," Dottie answered resolutely. "I know you don't want this life, and I know you and dad haven't been on the best of terms in, well, forever." Dot paused and closed her eyes momentarily, "Sammy, I love you to death, but you deserve better than the hunter's life. Why do you think I'd jam your backpack full of fiction books before you left for school or before Dean, dad, and I all left on hunts? To give you a break!" Sam looked down at his lap, remembering all of the books Dottie either purchased or 'borrowed' from local libraries. "Look, Sammy, I'm not going to question you or your decisions to leave. I'm just so damn proud of you that I could cry." Dottie held up a hand alongside a grave expression, "I'm not going to cry, but still, you get my point."

Sam let out a chuckle and looked back up at her. "You know, Dottie, you're one of the main reasons I love to read so much, and I'm so thankful for all that you've done. It's going to be hard leaving you all and not seeing those books stuffed into my bag anymore."

"Eh," She brushed her hand, "You probably won't have time for them anymore, Mr. lawyer college boy." She grinned, seeing his dimpled smile.

Another brief silence took over the table. "Hey, can I ask you another question, Dot?" Sam asked, looking up at her from underneath his black curly bangs.

"Nah, I'm pretty worn out with all these questions." She quipped, biting the end of her cone. Dot rolled her eyes, "Yes, Samantha, what do you want to ask?"

Rolling his own eyes at the nickname, Sam looked down at the acceptance letter. "How am I supposed to tell them?" His voice was so soft that she almost didn't hear him.

Dottie let out a deep breath and looked at him intently, "Honestly, Sam," She paused, "I have no clue." He nodded his head and looked discouraged at her. "But," she began, "I can tell you that Dean will most likely be pissed at first, but don't worry, I'll have a chat with him." She winked, watching Sam's face grimace. "And," she continued, "Eli, well, Eli probably won't take it very well either. I mean, it's hard to blame her. Remember when Dean and I would leave with dad on a hunt, you were always the one to stay with her. You're not only her big brother but also one of her best friends, Sammy," She paused to lighten the mood, "well besides me." Dot winked as Sammy rolled his eyes. "And well, dad-"

"Don't even start Dot." Sam held up a hand

"Hey, you asked for my help!" Dottie defended.

"I know, I know," He mumbled, dropping his head onto the table.

"It's alright. Chin up, pup." She joked, rubbing the top of his head.

"No, Dot, it's not!" He responded, shooting up. "He's gonna KILL me. Wait, no," he amended, "He's going to MURDER me and then salt and burn my bones so I don't come back to haunt him."

Dottie rolled her eyes at his antics, "No, Sam, he's not going to kill or murder you," she amended after Sam's unbelieving look, "he is going to be pissed, though. Not rightfully so, but that doesn't change the facts."

"Maybe I just won't tell him," Sam suggested shrugging his shoulders.

Dottie gave Sam her first discouraging look of the day, "No." Sam looked up into her eyes and saw nothing but seriousness for a split second before her gaze softened again. "No, Sammy. You can't do that, not to him." She reflected before speaking again, "I am not trying to play the pity card here, but I would do anything to tell my dad that I got accepted into Stanford University. And I can't do that because, well, you know,"

Sam gave her a sad smile before interrupting her, "I know, Dot, you don't have to say it."

"Either way, you understand what I'm saying, don't you?" She asked, fighting back a couple of emotions threatening to spill over.

Sammy reached out and grabbed her hand into his, "Yeah, Dot. I understand."

"Good. Dork." She commented. Sam reached over and wiped the two single tears that just fell out of her eyes, with the pad of his thumb, much like she did for him earlier in the day.

"You know, your Pa may not still be here, but we will always be here for your Dot. college or not, you can't get rid of us." He smiled as his hand found the top of hers once more.

"Thanks, Sammy." Dot grinned, squeezing his palm.

"No, Dottie, thank you." A dimpled smile took over his features.

The Office

Sitting in the abandoned back hallway, Eli was heavily intrigued by the lore book currently in her possession. It was unusual for Eli to have the time to read an actual book, but she didn't really mind, in all honesty. Reading about Greek Mythology was just as fascinating as reading any other fiction book the library had on the shelves. She was so engrossed in the reading about Icarus and the burning off of his wings that she didn't hear the angry footsteps of black wing toe shoes heading in her direction. It wasn't until she felt Mr. Wright's hand wrapping around her upper arm that she was even aware of someone else's presence.

"Skipping class are we, Winchester?" He affirmed gruffly, barely giving her any time to put her book back into her bag. After being not so kindly hauled to the office, Eli was placed in one of the traditional 'hot seats' located outside the principal's office. You know, the ones that they keep there just to put the fear of God into kids. Mr. Wright knocked on the door to Mr. Anderson, or the principal's office, and made his way into the room.

Well crap. Eli thought, staring at the oak door to her left. She looked down at the cheap used watch on her wrist and couldn't help but let out a little groan. Not only had she missed one, but three of her classes. Shit! She thought. So much for staying under the radar. Just then, the door to his office opened, revealing an uncharacteristically upset mathematics teacher.

"I will see you in class tomorrow, won't I, Ms. Winchester?" Mr. Wright asked, raising an eyebrow underneath his black-rimmed glasses.

"Yes, sir." She responded quietly, looking at his maroon sweater vest and trying to keep her freshly almost black eye out of view from his gaze.

"Good. You can head on in." He motioned towards the door to Mr. Anderson's office.

"Thank you," She responded, ducking her head under his arm and going to stand in front of the large black stained desk in the back part of the room.

"Eli!" Mr. Anderson said warmly.

She smiled and looked at the hefty man sitting in the chair behind the desk. Eli hadn't been at this school for very long, but she already loved Mr. Anderson. He had the general presence of Santa. With his thick white beard and love of Christmas, and his miscellaneous random socks – Eli was convinced that this man was too kind to be a real human.

"Hi, Mr. Anderson." She responded, now looking down at her feet.

He gave a worried smile, trying to look at her face, which was studying the carpeting. "Is everything alright, Eli?" He questioned.

"Yes, sir. Just a long day." She shrugged her shoulders.

"Could you do me a favor?" Eli nodded her head, "Will you look at me, please?" He asked with just enough kindness in his voice to make her trust him.

Slowly but surely, her gaze switched from the ground and up into the warm blue eyes of the man sitting in front of her. He let out an involuntary sound at the state of her face. "What happened?" He questioned, standing up and guiding her to sit on his desk.

"I don't know if you'd believe me." She responded, smiling.

"I promise, I will." He humored, sitting next to her on the desk.

"My siblings and I got into a pillow fight this morning," Eli said, looking up to gauge his reaction.

Mr. Anderson raised his eyebrow and looked down at the child smiling up at him. "Must have been some pillow fight. I'd hate to see the other guy."

"Yeah, he is really a dork." She said seriously.

Mr. Anderson let out a hearty laugh before moving around his desk to sit back in his chair. He let out an oof.

"Alright, kid, why don't you have a seat, and we can talk about skipping class," He raised an eyebrow as Eli looked over her shoulder. She let out a breath and moved to sit in the much smaller yet available chair. "So, what were you reading?"

She looked up at him, surprised, "Aren't you mad at me for skipping class?"

He folded his hands on top of his stomach and met her gaze, "Well, this isn't the first time this has happened, is it? It's the fourth time," He stated, emphasizing the word 'fourth' to Eli. "So, I can only be so mad. Besides, all I asked was what you were reading."

She looked down for a moment before pulling the Mythology book out of her bag. "It's all about Greek Mythology. It's kinda a ... well, a family tradition to know all about things like this." Eli lied not very smoothly.

"I see," he responded, noticing her sudden uncomfortable behavior. "Well, I hate to do this, I mean, we have kinda become friends, but I'm going to have to call your guardian to come and pick you up for the day."

"Yes, sir," Eli sighed. He was expecting maybe a 'please don't!' or perhaps even a 'but, please!' and so Eli's reaction took him somewhat by surprise. She nodded her head and looked down at her lap.

He paused and put his hand's palm down on his desk. "Is everything okay?" Mr. Anderson asked with full sincerity.

She nodded her head and looked back up towards him, "Yes, I'm okay. I just, I guess that I understand, and you've been very nice to me, it would just be unfair of me to give you a hard time about doing your job." Eli answered, shrugging her shoulders.

He wasn't necessarily surprised by her respect but definitely somewhat amazed by her answer. "Thanks, Eli." He smiled warmly, "Let's just have you be in class from now on, okay, kid?"

She nodded her head, "Yes, sir, I'm sorry."

Once more, he smiled warmer than the fire on a cold Christmas day, "It's okay." Mr. Anderson pulled up a document on his computer and dialed the contact for Elizabeth Winchester. After four rings, Dean picked up the phone. "Hello, is this Dean Winchester?" Eli heard a mumble over the phone, and before she knew it, the phone call had ended. "He said that he'll be here in a couple minutes. You can read again if you would like, or we could chat." He suggested.

"No, thank you," Eli smiled, closing her eyes in hopes of the dull pain behind her eye going away. Mr. Anderson let out a small chuckle before turning his attention back to his laptop. Seven minutes later, a not very happy Dean Winchester was brought into the principal's office, only to find the most chill interaction between teacher and student played out before his eyes.

"Ah, Mr. Winchester, I presume." Mr. Anderson stated in his booming voice, waking up Eli and standing up and extending his hand.

"Uh, yes, hi, Mr. Anderson." He responded, looking at the top of his sister's head. After releasing the man's hand, Dean rested his palm on his sister, squeezing her shoulder harder than necessary.

"Well, I hate to have to do this to one of my favorite students, but Eli is going to be suspended for the rest of the day," he began. Dean felt a tinge of pride in his seemingly innocent little sister. She actually got into trouble. He thought with a small, small smile forming on his mouth. But, as the principal continued, Dean's pride diminished a little. "This is the fourth time this month that she has skipped class to read in one of our less used hallways."

"Wait a second," he cut in, holding up his hand, "You skipped class ... to read?" Dean asked unbelievingly while simultaneously giving Eli the side-eye.

"Truthfully, I'm not sure either," Mr. Anderson stated exasperatedly, "I mean, she could just read in class," he emphasized, looking at the youngest Winchester. "But, nonetheless, she'll be sent home for the day and is allowed to return tomorrow." The principal smiled at Dean's confused look before turning back to Eli, "Just don't skip class anymore, okay?" He questioned not unkindly.

"Yes, sir." She said with some clarity.

"And no more violent pillow fights," he added in raising a comical eyebrow, "Wouldn't want to see you with another black eye." Mr. Anderson grinned. At that moment, Eli's face dropped.

Crap! She could feel Dean's hand tense tighter on her shoulder for a brief second before he spoke.

"Come on, Eli," Dean said while leading her to stand up by guiding her shoulder. "And thank you, sir." He added in reaching out to grab the principal's hand with his non captive one. He gave a warm smile as the pair exited his office with Eli's worn bag in tow. As soon as the door closed behind the Winchester pair, the room suddenly grew very cold, dropping in temperature from the comfortable seventy-two to a low thirty degrees. Without warning, Mr. Anderson closed his warm blue eyes, releasing a small shallow breath. But, when his eyelids came back open, they were dark black. An evil grin was radiating from his face, and his eerie presence grew around the office. Then, as if nothing had happened, his eyes were back to the beautiful ocean blue, and the temperature returned to normal, except for the very mild smell of sulfur. Opening his mouth, he let out a whistle, alongside a very ominous warning.

"See you soon, Winchesters."

Black Eyes and Apple Pies

The Impala door slammed as Dean looked at his sister incredulously. After feeling his gaze burn into the side of her head, Eli risked a glance over at her brother.

"De-"

"How'd you get the black eye?" He asked in a tone so similar to John Winchester that it took the youngest by surprise.

"It's nothing." She mumbled, looking down at her lap and biting the bottom of her lip. It was her only known tell, but it certainly was a damning one, especially for Dean to see.

"Really? Nothing?" He asked as she looked up at him from underneath her out-of-place blonde hair. "Because I cleaned your bloody face this morning, and I sure as hell know that you didn't have a black eye when we left the motel. SO, I'm going to ask you again, Elizabeth," He emphasized, making Eli involuntarily flinch at the tone of his voice, and the use of her full name, "Where did you get the black eye?"

No matter how much she didn't want to tell him the truth, there was no way that Eli would lie to her brother again, especially while sitting in Baby. All so suddenly, she didn't feel like a fourteen-year-old who just got beat up in a fight; she felt like that anxious little girl that lied to her big brother when she was planning on running away to flagstaff with Sam.

"Are you even mad at me for skipping class?" She asked, trying desperately to change the subject.

Dean raised his eyebrow and turned to face the front of the car. "You know, I wasn't because I thought that you were actually rebelling, but reading?" He paused and turned his head towards her, "I mean skipping class to read? Why? Isn't that the whole point of school?" He questioned.

"Well, I was reading some Greek lore, just trying to build up some more knowledge for hunts." Eli tried to explain her reasoning. "I'm so tired of being here, Dean. I just want to hunt, like you and Dot! Why do I even have to go to school." She huffed, crossing her arms and staring out the front window.

"You used to love school, kiddo. What changed?" Dean asked, once more turning towards her.

Crap. Eli thought, hoping that she didn't give away too much. "Nothing, Dean. I just want to hunt." She said with some finality.

"Well," he began, "I think that you were so caught up in the next hunt that you forgot dad's biggest rule." Eli closed her eyes and let out a sigh. "Why don't you tell me what it is, Eli."

"To stay under the radar," She repeated almost instinctively. "I know Dean, but it's only one day! It could have been worse!"

"Yeah! It could have been! You could have drawn attention to yourself or Sammy by some supernatural creature and gotten killed, Eli! So yeah, it could have been way worse!"

"But I didn't, Dean!" She argued back. "I know his rules are important; trust me, I know. I'm just so sick of being benched because of fucking school!" Eli yelled, letting an angry tear fall from her eye. Dean let out a breath and rubbed his hand across his face exasperatedly.

"I'm sorry, Dean." Eli's voice was quiet, so soft that Dean almost couldn't hear her. "I'm not mad at you, and I shouldn't have yelled. I just -" She paused, took a deep breath, and finally met the emerald green eyes of her brother with full sincerity. "I'm sorry."

Dean let out a small relieved grin before he remembered the entire reason for their arguing was staring at him in the face.

"It's okay, kiddo." She smiled and wiped the angry tear that had fallen from her non damaged eye. But, as quickly as the mood shift had developed, it relapsed. "Now, are you going to tell me about your eye?"

"No?" She questioned, shrugging her shoulders and looking towards him with a 'please don't make me' face.

"Oh, I'm sorry, my bad," he amended, waving his hands, "Did I phrase that as a question? I meant, tell me about your eye, Eli!" She let out an exasperated breath before turning away from Dean.

Eli tucked her hands underneath her legs and started biting her lip once again. There were a few tears that threatened but never spilled over her eyes. It wasn't that she didn't want to tell him; she was just so afraid he'd be angry with her. She's a Winchester, for goodness sake! Winchester's don't cry about bullies. Eli must have been thinking quietly for too long because the next thing she knew, the Impala had started on the road back to the motel. Why didn't he ask me again? She wondered somewhat anxiously. Within ten minutes, Baby rolled into a parking spot close to the red motel door. Why is it all red? Everything is just red! Eli thought angrily, remembering the red locker she was thrown against today. Dean was out of the car and in the motel room as Eli sauntered in moments after him. She slumped down in the wobbly chair at the kitchen table and threw her bag onto the surface. Opening her backpack, she pulled out the book on Greek Mythology in hopes of resuming the tales of Icarus; however, Dean Winchester had other plans. Walking over to his sister, he pulled the book out from her grasp and hid it behind his back.

"Hey! I was reading-" She started to exclaim before looking up and seeing an unusual unhappy look plastered upon his features.

"Not anymore, kiddo." He said with finality and a small mischievous grin. "Yes, you may have beat my ass in the pillow fight this morning, but," he began bending down to meet her eyes, "I'm still the oldest and still in charge of your scrawny ass." Dean stood straight back up and walked over to the fridge, placing the lore book on the top of the refrigerator, effectively out of reach from his sister. Eli was unresponsive watching his movements. Dean walked back over and pulled a matching wobbly chair from underneath the table's lip. He rested his elbows on the table and leaned forward, looking at her in the naturally lit motel room.

Eli, on her part, was trying to make herself seem as small as she possibly could. Her legs were squished together, hands balled in her lap, and head tucked close to her chest with her eyes blue gaze pointed down.

Dean could tell that there was something greater gnawing at her, which is why he didn't push it on the way home; but, now it was either time to get down to business or make her wish that she'd just spoken already.

"Hey," he started reaching out to encompass the side of her face with his hand. "I'm not angry, Eli. I just want to know what happened." Dean spoke softly, rubbing his thumb on the side of her face.

She was quiet for a few moments, leaning into the side of his hand, before only lifting her baby blue eyes to meet his surprisingly concerned ones. "I don't wanna tell you, bubba." She whispered. He stiffened up at the nickname, now knowing with absolute certainty that something was amiss, but continued to listen for another moment. "I promise that I can handle it myself, okay? If I couldn't, I would ask for help."

He let out a deep sigh and dropped his hand from her face, rubbing it across his face once more. Without warning, he clapped his hands together and stood up from the table, "Alright, get your running shoes on." When her only response was a confused look, he waved his hand towards her shoes. "Come on, kid. You don't wanna talk, I get it,'" He held up his hands in surrender, "But that doesn't mean I get to let you off the hook with that answer. So get your shoes on, and let's go. Unless you want to chat."

Eli's head fell back in defeat as she grumbled a few incoherent words under her breath. Slowly, she moved over to the bed she and Dean had shared last night and slipped on the worn white tennis shoes. She raised both her hands, displaying her 'success,' and looked at her brother. "Happy?" She asked, sassier than intended.

He gave a faux smile, "Peachy," he replied.

As Dean made his way to the front door, Eli noticed that he was still wearing his boots. "What, are you running in your hunting boots?"

"Nope," Dean replied casually, shrugging his shoulders and leading her out of the door. "I'm not the one who needs to sweat out the truth, sunshine." He added in, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.

"Deeeeeaaan," She complained, dropping her shoulders. "Running is bad enough on its own, but running alone? That's worse than ... I don't know, hell!"

He smiled, very aware that he and his sister shared the same opinion about running. "That's kinda the point, but it'll all stop when you decide you want to talk."

"Fine." she huffed. "Where am I running to?" Eli asked, looking around the motel.

"The motel is small enough to run around. It shouldn't take you more than a couple of minutes to go around the building."

Eli nodded her head defeatedly and looked up at her brother, who still had a disappointed look on his face. She couldn't help but silently curse herself for hiding this from him. In all truth, it would break her heart if Dean thought that his sister was weak, which is why she couldn't say anything. Winchester's weren't feeble.

Eli took off rounding the corner of the motel for the seventh time. Running was not difficult for any of the Winchester kids; John had made sure of it. They could all run at least three miles without the thought of getting winded. But today, Eli didn't feel like running. Reaching the spot where her brother was standing for the tenth time, she took a break and stood in front of him.

"Dean, can I stop, please? That was probably like three miles." She asked, out of breath. Maybe it was her nose or the pain in her eye that made her not want to run but either way; she was exhausted.

"I don't know. Are you ready to talk?" He asked once more, sounding too much like John Winchester for Eli's comfort.

"No, Dean..." She mumbled, still trying to catch her breath.

"Well, then, no, sunshine." He smirked, feeling proud of himself for being such a creative older brother.

"Dean, please. Anything else, my eye really hurts from Mi-" Eli froze and cut her sentence short, "From my escapades today." She amended almost seamlessly, throwing in a smile for good measure.

"Uh-huh." Dean started examining her facial expressions. He took a step closer to her and gently took her chin in his palm. "You know, you are a great liar." Eli's eyes widened in surprise as this was not at all what she had expected him to say. "But," he emphasized, letting go of her face, "You've never been good at lying to me, kiddo. I can even tell when you are thinking about lying to me. You know how?" Eli shook her head as Dean bent his knees into a squat to reach her height. "Well, besides the obvious things like biting your bottom lip or bowing your head, your smile is how I can always tell." He concluded, speaking quietly as one would do to a little kid.

"How can you tell by my smile," She asked curiously, turning her head to the side.

He smiled and grabbed both her hands, "Eli, you always smile like you're about to cry." Dean stated, watching her blue eyes seem to dance with embarrassment. "But, you only ever seem to do that with me." He added in, seemingly more gentle than before. "Is it because I'm your favorite brother?" He asked with a smirk.

Eli let out a little laugh as she watched his eyes bore into her own. Without any warning, she launched herself into his arms, effectively throwing off his balance and knocking him down onto the cold motel concrete.

Oof. He exclaimed, wrapping his arms around her body. "I told you," Dean whispered, feeling her nuzzle deeper into his flannel shirt.

In truth, she didn't even feel like coming up with a retort; all she wanted to do was smell the familiar scents of home that existed within his worn flannel; the combination of whisky, leather, cheap old spice cologne, and her personal favorite--the faint smell of apple pie.

"Dean, I really don't want Sammy to leave." She whispered into his shirt. He pulled away for a brief moment before putting his rough hands on her shoulders.

"This is the second time you've brought this up today, kiddo," He paused, searching her eyes, "Is there something you know that I don't that's bothering you so much about Sam?" Dean questioned. Eli nodded her head, seeing no point in lying to him if he would find out anyway. "What is it, Eli?" He asked, concerned.

"Well, the other day, when I was skipp-" She paused to see his reaction.

Dean rolled his eyes, "Yeah, skipping class to read, what a badass." He joked.

"Yeah, reading..." She trailed off, earning a confused look from her brother. "Well, the guidance counselor stopped me in the office. It was kinda confusing, but she basically told me that I must be proud of my brother for applying to Stanford. I think that was the college; I don't remember, but I just looked at her and nodded my head and went back to class." She shrugged. "I haven't really been able to focus on much else since then." she paused, sitting next to her brother on the ground, "Well, besides Micheal," Eli mumbled.

"Micheal?" Dean questioned, turning to face her, "Don't tell me you were ..." He trailed off, earning a slap on the arm from Eli.

"No, Dean, gross. He's a jerk." Came her reply and Dean's relieved sigh. "But yeah, I don't know. I mean, it's just been on my mind all week. That's why I've been skipping some classes to read," she shrugged, "it just helps me relax."

"And what about your eye?" Dean asked again gently, motioning towards her face.

Eli groaned and leaned into his shoulder, looking up at him from her spot on the ground, "Do I have to tell you, Deanie?" She proposed.

"What do you think, kiddo," He smiled. "Unless you want to keep running, I'd be more than happy to-"

"No, please, no more running!" Eli begged exaggeratedly. "I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to get mad at me, okay? I didn't lie to you, so there's nothing wrong." She urged.

"I'll be the judge of that," Dean supplicated, sending a wink in her direction.

Eli took a deep and rattling breath. No crying, Eli Winchester. She reminded herself. "Well, there's this boy named Micheal. He's a senior, and I think maybe Sammy's age." Dean looked down at her, hoping that this wasn't going where he thought it was. "Well, he's sorta been giving me a rough time." She looked up quickly, "Nothing that I can't handle! But, today I don't know, I guess I just froze, and, and then he..." Eli's voice trailed off, praying that Dean wasn't mad.

"Eli," He started seriously, "Did he hit you?"

Unable to admit to it, she nodded her head in confirmation before leaning harder against his arm. "I'm so sorry, Dean. I shouldn't have frozen, and I shouldn't have been so scared! He was just so tall, and I panicked and -"

Dean cut her off by pulling her back into his chest. Dean's hand completely encompassed the back of his sister's head as he held her there for a moment, trying to reign in his anger. He found that for a brief moment, words had eluded him; never before had he been so angry with a teenage boy-except for maybe the one who did the same thing to Sam when he was in middle school.

"What was his full name, Eli?" He asked, silently plotting his death.

Eli pulled away just enough to see his face before speaking. "I'm not going to tell you that, Dean." Both of his eyebrows seemed to be lost as they shot up high in surprise. "I know that I acted weak, but I need to handle this one myself." She concluded, still with the absence of tears.

"Eli-" he began.

"No, Dean." Elizabeth shook her head. "Dad will be back in a week tops, and then I'll never have to see him again. Please," she pleaded, "Just let me handle it."

Dean looked into her eyes for what seemed to be an eternity. Perhaps searching for some newfound confidence. "I wanna say no, Eli. But, I know you're too stubborn to let me help you, little smart ass." He held up a finger with as small smile, "But, if this asshole lays ONE more finger on you, it will no longer just be your problem, clear?"

"Yes, Dean." She grinned subtly.

"And, you, Eli Winchester, aren't weak. He's an ass. There's a difference." Dean concluded, ruffling her hair.

"Thanks, Dean." This time her smile met her eyes.

"Well, come on, running sucks. Let's go get some dinner and PIE." He smiled, and said with emphasis, taking the silver 'gm' Impala keys out of his pocket.

Eli rolled her eyes while jumping up to her feet, "You weren't even running!" She said exasperatedly.

"Yeah, but I had to watch you. That's even harder!" He stated, mimicking her tone.

"Whatever," she mumbled, jumping up to punch his shoulder. Dean feigned injury before sending her a smile. While their conversation seemed to cover the bases, an ugly and angry thought still plagued Dean's mind.

Why didn't Sam tell me about Stanford?

Discoveries

"You think Dean went to go pick up Eli from school?" Sam questioned, looking up from his bowl of Lucky Charms cereal.

"Yeah, I think so," She began, stuffing another bite of her cereal into her face.

"Shouldn't they be back now?" Sam asked again, looking at Dottie intently.

"Don't get your panties up in a bunch, Samantha. They probably just went to grab some pie." Dot joked, a smile playing at her lips.

Rolling his eyes, Sam couldn't help but look nervously out the window in preparation for their arrival. Sure, he had been nervous about anyone in his family finding out about college, but, for some reason, he was less optimistic about how Dean would react to the news. Finishing off the little milk left in her bowl, Dottie glanced up to see all of Sam's nervousness from earlier in the day return.

"Hey," she snapped her fingers in front of his face, "None of that, Sammy." He looked over and slowly nodded his head, causing the almost too long curls to bounce up and down. "Just remember what we talked about, okay? I'll be wherever you need me, doing whatever you need me to." Dot smiled and gestured towards his still half-full bowl of children's cereal, "You gonna finish it, or need to think?" She questioned kindly.

Sam pushed the bowl towards his sister and cleared his throat, "No, I mean yes, I'm done. Just want to think about some things." A sad smile overwhelmed his face as Dot returned it equally morose.

"Alright, Sam." Dottie walked over to the sink and deposited the dishes. "Sam," she began looking at him, as she sat back down at the table, "just tell him tonight, okay? I can talk to Eli, but you have to tell dorko tonight, or else he is going to find out, and it won't end pretty."

"Okay," he nodded and focused his attention back on the faintly red interior of the motel door.

Within a couple of minutes of contemplative silence, the low and steady rumble of the Impala could be heard throughout the small motel room. "Alright, now or never, I guess," Sam exhaled.

Dottie sent him a grin accompanied by an eye roll, "It'll be okay soon-to-be college boy." The door steadily opened, revealing a full-handed Eli carrying in dinner to-go bags.

"-an ou help me -ammy?" She asked muffled with one of the bags stuffed into her mouth, so she could have enough hands to open the door. Laughing, he got up and took the bags out of her hands, and set them up on the kitchen table. "Ugh," she complained, pulling the wet paper bag out of her mouth, "gross."

"Whaddya get us to eat, partner?" Dottie asked, peeking inside one of the dryer bags on the table.

"Welllll," Eli began looking over her shoulder to see where Dean was, "I don't know if I can say yet," She turned her full attention towards Dottie and motioned towards Sam with her eyes. Dottie narrowed her eyes in confusion before realization hit her.

"You know about Stanford?" Sam questioned, panicked before Dottie had the chance to.

"What?" Eli asked, turning her attention to her older brother, "Stanford? The college, Stanford?" She questioned once more, looking in between both of her older siblings. A very uncomfortable silence overtook the room, then, as if on cue, Dean entered the room with a large apple pie in his hands.

"Who's ready for some pie ... " he trailed off, seeing the different faces on his sibling's faces. "What's going on in here?" When no one answered, he asked again, raising his shoulders in question, "Guys?"

Eli turned around to face her second oldest brother with red-rimmed eyes and unshed tears, "You're leaving us, aren't you." She began in a quiet voice, "T-that lady in the office said you got into Stanford, and ... and you're going to leave,"

"Eli," Sam tried to interject, putting a hand on her shoulder, and Eli immediately backed away.

"No, no, Sam, you promised me." She began again, backing up farther away from him, looking down at her hands and back up at her floppy-haired brother. "Y-you promised me, Flagstaff, Sammy, that you'd never leave me behind," Eli started to trail off, staring at him with wide hurt eyes, "You promised."

Dean and Dottie met eyes with one another for just a moment before turning their attention back on the youngest Winchester.

"Rugrat," Sam began trying to move closer to his sister.

"NO!" She barked at him, finally reaching the kitchenette counter. "Get away from me, Sam." Eli looked to the side and focused on anything other than Samuel Winchester.

"Okay," he conceded, holding up his hands and running it through his thick black hair. "Okay."

Dean walked over to his brothers' side and put a hand on his left shoulder, "Come on, Sammy. Let's go for a drive." Pushing back a couple of his own tears, Sam nodded his head and let his older brother lead him out of the door to the motel. A minute after the door closed, Dean awkwardly walked back in, grabbed one of the pie's and left once more.

Rolling her eyes, Dottie walked over to her little sister. "Hey, C'mere, partner." She pleaded, opening her arms. Eli slowly walked over and wrapped her arms around Dot.

"I can't believe he's leaving, us Dot." She whispered into Dottie's flannel. Choosing not to say anything at the moment, Dot rubbed her back and let her emote without any words.

After a few moments of silence, Eli pulled away and sat up against the kitchen cupboard door. "He promised us, Dottie. He swore to me."

Sitting down next to her sibling, Dottie nodded her head. "You know, he was pretty worried about telling you tonight." She shook her head, "I'm sure that this was not how he wanted things to turn out." She concluded.

"I feel like a jackass," Eli mumbled into her hands. "I know, I know that I should be happy for him, so why am I so angry, Dot?" She asked, glancing up at her with still unshed but teary eyes.

Dot gave her a sad smile and brushed a piece of hair away from her eyes, "I don't know, kiddo. It's not going to be easy. Even if we are happy for him, it's still going to be hard for all of us." She pondered for a moment, "But, I guess it's okay, isn't it?"

Eli stared at her, perplexed, "What?" She asked.

"Well, I mean, you know that Sammy hates the hunting life Eli, and well, he's had no choice but to endure it for almost his whole life. Doesn't he deserve at least some normalcy?"

Eli focused on her hands resting in her lap. "I guess," she mumbled, before looking up at her, "But why can't he be normal with us? Why does he have to go to stupid Stanford?"

Dottie let out a laugh and shrugged her shoulders, "Well, it's what he wants, partner, and I think that we should support him with whatever he wants to do," She grinned, "Even if that means going to stupid, twenty-day old rotten meat sitting at the back of the fridge, Stanford."

Eli giggled and knocked her elbow into Dottie's stomach, "Gross, Dot." She held up a finger and pointed at her, "Funny, but gross." Dottie laughed and put her arm around her sister. "Ugh," Eli began again, hanging her head, "I need to apologize for being such a jerk to Sammy."

Dottie lightly tapped her head and smiled, "I think you mean total jerk to Sammy."

"Wow, Dot." Eli laughed, looking back up at her sister. "I mean, you're not wrong, but that's not what I thought you'd say." She laughed.

"You know I'm kidding, Eli," Dot joked.

"Yeah, yeah, I know you're totally serious." Eli smiled, looking back down at her hands as Dottie nudged her. "How long do you think that the two dorks will be before they get home."

"'m not too sure. Dean did take the pie, so that has to be a good sign." Dottie noted.

"Of course he did," Eli rolled his eyes. "We got that for him because Dean thought he ditched school this afternoon." She laughed.

"HA!" Dottie chuckled, "He didn't ditch. I bailed him out." Dot smiled at Eli's unbelieving look.

"AND you DIDN'T bail me out?!" she questioned only somewhat jokingly.

"Sorry!" Dottie held up her hands in surrender, "I needed to talk to gigantor."

Eli blew a strand of hair from her face, "It's fine. I just wouldn't have gotten suspended for a day if you had let me escape with you." She mumbled.

"You got suspended?!" Dottie exclaimed, turning her full attention towards Eli.

"Yeah? But only for a day!" Eli responded, still managing to hide her black eye with her hair.

"Wow! I mean, I won't tell dad, but nice job! HA!" She laughed to herself. "What'd you do?"

"They caught me ditching for the fourth time, reading in the back hallway."

A pregnant pause rested between the two of them before Dottie raided her eyebrow and spoke up, "What'd Dean say?" She asked.

Eli shrugged, "He said that he was slightly proud of me for getting into trouble before he found out I was reading." Eli laughed, "Then he got slightly angry because dad probably would have been pissed at me for not staying under the radar, especially just for doing something I could do in class." She shrugged again.

"Yeah, that makes sense." Dottie smiled and nudged her shoulder. "And what's up with your eye, partner?"

Eli exhaled, "How'd you know?"

"Well, I'm not blind, Eli." Dot laughed, ruffling her hair.

Eli turned and faced her, "I don't really want to talk about it right now, but I promise I will later, okay?" She asked quietly, "I want to, no, I need to handle this by myself."

Dottie nodded, "Okay, but if you need me to knock someone into next week, then I'll be there in two minutes," She smiled.

"Thanks, Dot. And also, thanks for helping me with Sammy." Eli gave a sort of sad smile and rose to her feet. "I'm going to lay down for a couple of minutes before they get home. It's been a long day." Dot smiled and accepted Eli's hand to stand.

"Love you, partner." Dot said, tipping her invisible hat.

"Love you too, cowgirl." Eli smiled, returning the gesture.

Brotherly Blood

"So this is it, huh?" Dean questioned, breaking the twenty-minute silence in the Impala. "You get into the Ivy's, and it's goodbye to your family?" He looked over incredulously.

"It's not like that," Sam started.

"Oh," Dean drawled, "It's not like that it is Sammy. Do you have any idea what this is going to do to our family? To Dottie and Eli, and Dad?" He paused and turned his gaze to the passenger seat. "Do you have any idea what this is going to do to me, Sam?"

For the second time during the car drive, Sam looked up at his brother through teary eyes. "Dean," His voice faded as Dean slowed Baby down and carefully pulled the car over onto the shoulder. "What are you...?"

Without any preamble, Dean punched his brother square in the nose. "Ouch! Damn it, Dean!" Sam exclaimed, holding his now throbbing nose. Dean grabbed his shoulders, forcing his face to look up at him, and meet his gaze.

"I'm proud of you, Sam." Dean began earning a confused look from his brother.

"Well, then why'd you punch me?" He questioned.

Rolling his eyes, Dean responded, "Come on, it wasn't even that hard." Sam mumbled under his breath, but nonetheless, Dean continued, "I am proud of you, Sammy, but you can't leave. I mean, even if I didn't want you to go, which," he stuck a finger up, "I haven't fully decided yet, dad will never let you run away like that."

"It's not running away, Dean. It's college." Sam added in, rolling his eyes, "Probably one of the first normal things I'll have done in my entire life!"

"What do you mean, normal?" Dean accused, "Come on, Sam! I mean, I tried my best to give you and hell Dottie and Eli a normal childhood!"

"But you shouldn't have had to do that, Dean! That wasn't your job. It was dad's!"

"Sam-"

"No, Dean!" Sam exclaimed, "You shouldn't have to do all those things you did for us. You shouldn't have had to raise us as much as you did!" He took a breath, and finally, Sam's first tear of the night fell from his eye. "Look, Dean, if I do go," he held up a finger mimicking how his brother had done, "and I'm planning on it, I need you to know that I'm not running away from you or Dot or Eli, okay? You didn't do anything wrong. And I know that you're going to try to blame yourself, but Dean, it's not your fault. If I am running away, it's from this life and also from dad -- not you."

Dean paused for a moment and put both of his hands on top of his brother's shoulders, staring at his eyes, trying to find more answers as to why he would want to leave. Without any warning, Sam launched himself into his brother's arms. Dean was taken mildly by surprise, but it only took a second for him to recollect his thoughts and wrap his arms around his baby brother.

"Please don't be mad at me, Dean. I just want to be a normal person, with a family and a job, that isn't hunting," He added when he heard Dean start to speak. "After all this time, can't I just be normal for once?"

He exhaled and tucked his chin over the top of Sam's thick head of hair. "Yeah, Sam." He began, "All I've ever wanted is for all of you to have a normal life, well, normal as in not hunting. And well, Sammy, If this is what you want, and I mean really really want," he paused and looked down at him, "And I do mean really because this fight with dad is going to be huge, then," Dean took a breath as Sam met his gaze, "Go for it, Sam. You already did the hard part of getting into college. Although," He paused and put on a more serious expression, "How are you planning on paying for it, Sam. Last I checked, college admittance isn't free."

Sam smiled and sat back up into the seat. "Well, it is when you get a full ride," he grinned.

"Are you serious?" Dean asked, scoffing.

He nodded his head as Dean ruffled his hair, "Well, Mr. college boy, I'm proud of you. You better introduce me to some of the college girls there though, or else it was all for nothing," he grinned, earning an eye roll from his brother. "I still am not sure if I am exactly on board with you leaving yet, Sam. It's still gonna take me some time to get used to, okay?" Sam nodded and Dean, in order to avoid another chick flick moment, promptly changed the subject.

"Oh, hey, hand me that pie in the back." Dean more or less asked, pulling two forks out of his leather jacket. Sam reached over the seat and transferred the fresh-looking apple pie from the backseat into the front.

"Congrats, bitch." Dean smiled, taking a walloping bite of pie.

"Thanks, jerk." Sam smiled.

Dad's Decision

There was a heavy rumble of a truck's engine that resounded loud enough to be heard through the thin walls of the motel. Eli quickly and almost naturally awoke at the sound and noticed that Dottie was already moving the curtains away from the window to see if it was who she thought.

"Dot? Is it ..." Eli trailed off, hopping off the bed and moving beside her sister.

Nodding her head, Dottie waited until she saw the heavy hunting boot appear on the cold pavement of the motel parking lot to answer. "Yeah," she confirmed, "It's dad."

Quickly, Dottie moved away from the window, grabbed Sam's acceptance letter off of the worn table, and promptly shoved it into her backpack. "Check the salt lines, Eli," Dot asked, preoccupied with everything that would be up to John Winchester standards.

Eli nodded dutifully and grabbed the salt container from the window ledge, checking to ensure there weren't any weak points or errors with the lines.

The doorknob clicked, and a careful boot stepped over the unbroken salt line in front of the door.

"Hello?" A deep voice called out, scanning around the room until his gaze landed on two very familiar faces.

"Hey, dad," their voices echoed. The oldest Winchester set down his duffle and once more looked around the room.

"Where are your brothers?" He questioned, unbuttoning his jacket and throwing it over the back of the chair. Eli and Dottie exchanged a quick glance.

"Uh, they went out for a drive," Eli said casually, shrugging her shoulders and taking a seat at the table but being careful not to show her black eye.

John leveled her with a gaze. "A drive?" Both of the girls nodded, "When did they say that they'd be back?" He asked, rubbing the ever-growing bags under his eyes.

"They didn't say, but I doubted they'd be gone longer than an hour," Dottie stated.

John let out an affirmative grumble and sat down next to Eli and messed up the top of her hair. "How's school going, kiddo?" He questioned, trying his best to smile through exhaustion.

Her eyes widened for a moment, thinking that he might have heard about her suspension. "It's alright," she shrugged, getting up from the table to grab a bottle of beer for her dad. John watched her leave, eyeing her with some ounce of growing suspicion, as he could only see part of her face and had seen zero straight answers.

He then turned his attention to Dottie. "And how was your day, Dot?" Their dad asked, reaching a hand out to accept the beer from Eli.

Dottie, much like Eli, shrugged and tried to get out of the spotlight. There was no way that she was going to tell their dad that she had bailed Sammy out of school early. "It was good, um, not really anything exciting."

John turned his head to the side, seeming to question why the pair of them was so apprehensive; but, then it appeared that exhaustion won the fight over suspicion; thus, he shook his head and rubbed a hand over his eyes once more.

"That's good, Dot. I'm glad." He stated, taking a sip of his beer and moving towards the couch. "Turn on the game, would ya, Eli?" John more or less asked his daughter, now sitting next to him on the sofa. She nodded and flipped to channel eight.

Eli slyly turned to Dottie and even more secretly told her something through their code - sign language. None of the boys in their family, except Sam, had wanted to learn sign language; thus, Eli and Dottie could use it to talk about things more freely in front of other family members.

'Text Dean. Tell him dad is here. Hurry.' Eli signed to her sister, thankful that the room was dark so their dad couldn't see.

'Yes. Good plan.' Dottie answered back, taking out her phone and shooting a quick message to Dean. Eli smiled and turned back around on the couch.

"Did you have any homework?" John asked, not truly caring about the assignments themselves; but rather the completion to stay underneath the radar. Eli shook her head and contemplated just telling him the truth about school for a split second, seeing as how he would probably find out one way or another. However, she quickly dismissed the idea. When John found out about Sam getting into college, he would be livid; so, why should Eli put him in a worse mood? No, she would wait and take some of the heat from their argument rather than pass his residual anger onto Sam.

"Eli?" John asked, waving a hand in front of her face.

"Yeah?" She quickly responded, turning only slightly to him, obviously oblivious that he was talking to her during her internal problem-solving thinking. He raised his eyebrow, and she quickly corrected herself. "I- I mean, yes dad?"

"I asked if everything was okay. You look nervous about something. Did ... did something happen while I was gone?" He asked, focusing his full attention on her and away from the baseball game.

Before Eli had the chance to answer, the door to the motel opened, and Dean walked in with some residual pie littered on his chin.

"Hey, dad," Dean greeted happily. "How did the hunt go?" He questioned, leaving the door slightly open for Sam.

"It was alright, Dean. I'm glad it's over." He smiled sadly. John tried to look around his oldest, "Where's Sammy?" He questioned.

Dean looked behind his back, too; he thought Sam was right behind him. "Probably still sitting in the car finishing the pie we got on the way home." Dean smiled, walking over to the fridge to get a beer for himself. John grunted, peeking out the door. He turned towards the couch to continue his conversation with Eli when he noticed she was no longer there.

"What in the world?" He mumbled to himself. What is going on with my kids?

At that moment, Sam entered the motel room, looking so green that he must have been moments away from throwing up from anxiety. "Hey, dad," he mumbled, closing the door behind him. Eli had stealthy made her way over to Sam and wrapped an arm around his waist.

"I'm so sorry, Sammy." She whispered, looking up into his green hazel eyes. Sam smiled and returned the hug, bending down to kiss the top of her forehead.

"It's okay, rugrat." He said quietly back to her.

John watched with wide and confused eyes. "What in the hell?" He mumbled once more. There was a brief pause before the storm. "ALRIGHT!" He yelled in his Marine Corps Corporal voice. He was done being confused. "EVERYONE front and center, NOW." Instinctively, all four Winchester children lined up in front of their dad. Dean stood first, then Eli, Dot, and finally Sammy. For what seemed like the hundredth time today, John rubbed a hand over his tired eyes and scrubbed a hand through his week-old scruff. "Alright, since I walked through the door today, you all are acting like you're hiding something from me. So," he began, "Dean, and only Dean, right now, report." John ordered, already nearing the end of his patience.

Dean cleared his throat and began reciting the events of the day. He was hesitant to include the part about picking Eli up from school because he knew that saying that would only make him more irritated, but Dean also knew that John would find out one way or another, so he had no choice but to come clean.

John held up a hand for Dean to stop speaking. "She did what?" He questioned silently, turning his head to his youngest daughter. She swallowed the lump in her throat and tried her best to focus on anything else besides his face. "Eli?" John questioned after a moment. "What in the hell were you thinking?"

Elizabeth slowly turned her attention to him and was met with a very angry expression. "I, uh, well -"

"Elizabeth," Their dad snarled.

"I wasn't thinking, and it was stupid, I know that," She trailed off, trying to find a good reason. "I was just sick of being benched, and tired of being at school, and so I thought that maybe I could do some lore research and nobody would have to know. So, I - I uh, I've been ditching class for a few weeks to go and sit in the back hallway."

Dean cleared his throat and turned towards her, urging his sister to just come clean about everything - even the black eye. John watched the silent interaction with some jealousy as his kids could communicate without talking so effortlessly. Turning to Eli, he noticed something that his daughter had tried very hard to hide. John gently but firmly grabbed her chin and turned her head to view the injury in a better light.

"Eli?" He questioned, looking at her eyes rather than her injury.

Elizabeth took a deep breath and tried to move out of his grasp. "That's another reason that I've been not going to class." She began. "There's this kid, his name is Micheal, and he's been giving me a hard time recently. I don't know why," Eli cleared her throat, not wanting to sound weak in front of her father.

John took a deep breath and pulled her close into his embrace - a very uncommon gesture when the kids had found themselves in the line to report about their day. He cleared his throat, and as soon as the tender moment had started, it was over. "If this knucklehead bothers you again, you will tell one of us, understood?"

"Yes, sir," She responded, nodding her head and stepping back.

"Don't think that this means you're getting away with skipping those classes, Eli." He warned somewhat ominously. "You know the rules and how crucial it is to stay under the radar. I expect better from you and don't want to hear about this happening again. If people look into our name further, only worse things will happen, and we cannot have unnecessary attention put on us. Clear?" Eli nodded.

"Yes, sir," She said with almost full clarity.

"Good," John concluded, turning his attention back to Dean. "Now, was that the issue that was making everyone look so sickly, or was there something else that you kids have to say?"

Uneasily, Dean looked towards Dottie, who in turn looked towards Sam, who seemed utterly sick to his stomach. Dot cleared her throat and looked up towards their dad. "Um, do you think that maybe I could talk to you and Sammy alone?" She asked quietly, knowing that his answer would most likely be 'no.'

He squinted his eyes. "Why, Dot? You all seem to know, so why be nervous to tell one more person?" John questioned. She nodded, pointing to her duffle and looking up at her dad.

"Would you mind if I go grab it?" Dot asked, glancing over at Sam nervously.

John jerked his head, and they all watched her go and retrieve the acceptance letter from her duffle.

'This was not supposed to happen like this.' Sam's internal dialogue screamed. 'He wasn't even supposed to be home for a few more days! That would have at least given me more time to prepare what to say -'

His inner panic was interrupted by their father. "What is this, Dot?" John questioned, unfolding the letter handed to him.

Everything in Samuel froze. He had never been so paralyzed with fear. Even when facing his few and far between supernatural creatures - nothing had been as scary as this moment. They all watched with anticipation as John's eyes carefully read the letter given to him. Then, he let out a small disbelieving laugh and a single word with no warning.

"No." He said, resolutely folding the letter back up, placing it on the table, and perching himself on the wood surface.

"What?" Sam challenged with disbelief. "W-what do you mean, no?"

"I mean 'no,' Sam," He said with no hesitation. "This," John gestured to the letter, "isn't what I have trained you, hell all of you to be. So no, Sam, no." he shook his head as if it was the most simple thing in the entire world.

The whole room was filled with such a deep and ponderous silence that it seemed to stretch throughout eternity.

"No," Sam said after a moment, losing any sickness he had in his features, and replaced them with a wave of fiery anger.

"Excuse me?" John questioned, raising his eyebrow, which was usually enough for his children to stand down from a fight.

"I don't want to hunt, dad. All I have EVER wanted is to be normal, and now that I have a chance to do that, there's no way I am passing it up." Sam stated with finality. All of the other Winchester kids looked to him with something more than disbelief in their eyes - but a deep dreadfulness of the words he'd said.

There were no words stated after his proclamation, only a stare that seemed to threaten much more than words. "Dean, take your sisters and go for a drive." The Winchester father ordered with a quiet and clear command.

Sam swallowed and looked over to his siblings for unsaid help. John's eyes had not departed from Sam's, so Dean tried to assist.

"Dad-"

"Now." Their father seethed, turning his eyes to Dean. "I've already got one of you in the hot seat for not following orders, so unless the rest of you want to join him, I suggest FOLLOWING MY FUCKING ORDER!" He yelled with more anger than any of them had seen in a long while. Dean, Dot, and Eli all looked over to Sam, silently telling him they would stay if he wanted them there; but, the tallest Winchester shook his head and gave them a reassuring look. The three of them made their way to the door, but not before John had pulled Eli's arm to grab her attention.

"Just in case I wasn't clear earlier, you're grounded - indefinitely. You can fill the salt shells, clean the weapons, and help with translations. Other than that, you're on lockdown. PT will be doubled daily while I'm gone on this next hunt. Hear that Dean and Dottie?" He questioned louder to make sure his point would stick.

"Yes sir," They replied in unison.

"And if I hear of anything else about putting yourself and our name into the spotlight again while we are here, I can promise you this little punishment will seem like nothing. Am I clear, Elizabeth?"

The lump in her throat almost made her unable to answer, but somehow she got the two words out. "Yes sir." She responded.

"Good. The three of you go. Dean and Dottie, keep your phones on. Eli, hand it over," He instructed with an open hand. The youngest Winchester reached into her pocket, pulled out the device, and set it into his palm. "Be back in an hour," John called out as his kids went to leave the motel. The patriarch turned back towards his son with a look of pure controlled rage in his eyes.

"Let's talk, Sam."