If Sam hadn't been holding the bandage on Dean's side he would have been on his feet again. If looks could kill Eric Lancaster would have been a smoldering pile of ash.

He was going to be arrested. Jesus. His parents were going to kill him. He wondered what assault and battery earned a juvenile. The though of being handcuffed, put in the back of a cruiser, it sent a sick feeling through him. He wouldn't be able to ride with Dean to the hospital, he wouldn't be able to be there for him. Emotions raged through him wildly as everything that just happened really sunk in. What had he been thinking? Thinking. Yes, he had to clear his mind and think. Other than the fact Eric was fucking him over yet again, what could he possibly do to retaliate?

"Guess that means I'll get to ask the cops if they've tracked down the owner of the car that hit Dean yet. A bystander got the license. I told them the guy was hired by someone." Sam stared straight at Eric. "And since the person in question has a lot of clout, the investigation is being kept tight under wraps. They'll nail the guy who tried to kill Dean and I imagine the bastard will turn on whoever hired him. Attempted murder. That'll look good on a resume, won't it Lancaster?" Sam said. "I'm sure they'll be character witnesses with a lot to say about the guy too."

Jeff wanted to tell Sam just to shut the fuck up, but he could see a shadow of doubt linger for a moment in Lancaster's eyes. Jeff wondered if someone had gotten the license.

The nurse hurried up just then as Mr. Moore pulled out his phone to call the police.

Eric frowned briefly at Sam’s veiled accusations and then he smirked. The kid was bluffing. He could tell. Even if Sam wasn’t bluffing, it didn’t matter.

Eric always made sure to cover his tracks well. The car in question wasn’t even registered and it was already gone, as was the driver he hired. There was no way any of it could be traced back to him. Anything Sam told the police would be circumstantial at best, and hell, his father practically owned the cops anyway. Same with the judges and no way in hell Sam’s family could afford better lawyers than his father. But Eric knew it would never come to that.

Character witnesses? Hah. No one was stupid enough to side with Sam Colt, a fucking nobody, and that piece of trailer trash Winchester over him. Well, except this moron who’d shown up with them this morning. Jeff Shelby. In a few hours Eric was going to figure out just who that asshole was and how to get rid of him.

But the fact that Sam was so desperate to try to bluff his way out of this just proved that he was finally getting to the younger boy. Oh yeah, Sam was going to pay. Big time. Winchester right along with him. The way Sam had completely lost it this morning just proved Eric’s theory, Dean was the boy’s weak spot.

Looking down at the unconscious piece of shit a mild look of disgust crossed his face. He wondered if it was true, if Sam really had given it up for Winchester. Well… he supposed if the boy’s cherry really had been popped there was no point in being the least bit gentle with him when he finally got his turn.

Eric looked back at Sam, meeting the younger boy’s fiery glare with one as cold as ice.

“You might want to be careful just what kind of accusations you make without any proof to back them up, Colt. You’re in enough trouble already.” Eric replied evenly, glancing briefly back down at Winchester for emphasis.

At this point Jeff understood why Sam had cut loose on the older boy. He wanted to plant his first in the smarmy little bastard's face too.

"What accusations?" Sam said innocently. "What would a fine upstanding asshole like yourself be doing trying to run Dean down? Though it's a pity you didn't see the guy and could give a description, seeing as how you were parked right out on the street when it happened." Sam turned to the nurse, a tall slender man with dark hair. "He was in a car accident a few days ago. He's recovering from a concussion and some stitches are in his side. Lancaster," Sam said, no longer willing to call the senior by his first name, "hit him right where he was injured. Several stitches got ripped out."

The nurse nodded and took Dean's pulse and checked his eyes, shining a flashlight in them. "Equal reaction in the pupils," he said and gave Sam a slight smile. "That's a good sign. Decreases the chance his concussion was made any worse. He looked at the shirt Dean was using to staunch the bleeding. The stain didn’t appear to be growing. "Just keep holding it there. If all he's done is rip out his stitches, it isn't serious. It looks like you've got the bleeding well under control." He patted Sam on the shoulder. "You've done good here. Not much more we can do except monitor him until the ambulance arrives."

"Shouldn't he be waking up now?" Sam asked quietly.

"Probably any time now," the nurse reassured him.

Since there were other witnesses now, Jeff returned to Sam's side. "You ever been arrested, kiddo?"

Sam shook his head. Jeff squeezed Sam's shoulder. "Just cooperate. They probably won't even cuff you. Tell them the truth. Everything that happened and everything you think that happened. If you're thirsty or have to piss, just tell them. They're not the bad guys, okay? I'll call Bobby and let him know what happened. The police will contact your parents, but I'll try to get Bobby to give them the heads up first."

"They're gonna kill me," Sam said, his eyes showing he was scared by the prospect.

"I doubt that," Jeff said. "Yell at you? Yeah, probably. Dean'll probably rip you a new one too next time he sees you."

Sam huffed, "I just—"

"Save it for the police, Sam. It's done, it can't be undone. At least you broke the jerk's nose for what that's worth."

Looking over at the arrogant senior, he could see the bruising forming under both Eric's eyes. He gave the Jeff a nod. "That might make this whole fuck up worth it."

Jeff laughed and clapped him the back. "There you go. Now how about you? Hurt?"

Giving a half shrug Sam said, "Nothing bad."

"Have the medic look you over anyhow," Jeff ordered and took over holding the bandage in place.

After giving Sam a quick examination, the nurse confirmed Sam's assessment. He had a few bruises, but nothing serious but he did put an icepack on Sam's hand. The nurse went over to Eric next. He set Eric's nose and Jeff smirked at the yelp Eric made. Yeah that hurt like a bitch. Hearing a groan from Dean, Jeff knelt down by Dean.

"Dean, you're at the school, Lancaster knocked you out after you pulled Sam out of the way. You've ripped out your stitches from the car accident. Just stay laying down. The ambulance is on the way."

"I'm right here Dean, right here," Sam said, gripping Dean's hand.

The wail of sirens could be heard approaching.

Mother fucker…

It was with a feeling of Déjà vu Dean came to with a low groan of pain. Lying on his back on hard cement, his side killing him, his head pounding fiercely… a worried voice right beside him as a warm hand gripped his own. Dean forced his eyes open, dark spots dancing in front of his vision for a moment before he finally managed to focus on Sam’s face, just as worried as his voice had sounded, hovering over him.

The other guy… Jeff… it took him a moment to remember, was telling him what had happened, though he really only had to say one word. Lancaster. That mother fucker…

His gaze suddenly laser focused on the smug looking bastard standing not far away and despite the order to stay laying down Dean began struggling to get up, murder in his eyes. The bastard had taken advantage of his distraction as he’d tried to pull Sam to safety. Eric had known exactly where to hit him to cause the most damage and take him down. Dean was going to rearrange the fucker’s face so not even his own parents would recognize him.

Jeff watched as Dean slowly returned to consciousness. Concussions often went hand in hand with forgetting what caused the concussion. In Jeff's opinion that was a design flaw in humans. If you didn't know what nailed you, how could you know to avoid it in the future. Of course in this case it was a moot point. Dean's unfocused gaze went to his lover's first and recognition penetrated the haze reflected in his eyes. When his gaze shifted to Jeff, Jeff could tell for a moment Dean didn't recognize him. When he said 'Lancaster' Dean was instantly alert and struggling to rise. Since Jeff was already holding the bandage in place it didn't take much for him to maintain leverage over Dean and he pushed the teen back to the ground.

"Cool it, Winchester. Police and ambulance are on their way," he said pointedly.

Sam squeezed Dean's hand, resting his free hand on Dean's shoulder to help Jeff keep Dean in place. To see Dean hurt again, and all because of him, it was practically ripping him into shreds on the inside and he knew Lancaster was enjoying every fucking minute of it. He'd told Eric about the car license plate hoping Eric might call the guy. He could hack Eric's cell phone and get the number and leave an anonymous tip or something. He wasn't sure Eric was going to take the bait though and so he couldn't even do that for Dean. He would still try, but he didn't hold out much hope of succeeding. He seemed to be a royal fuck-up at everything.

"I'm sorry Dean. This is all my fault. Again. I-I probably won't be able to go to the hospital with you, but Jeff can. He's going to call Bobby too. You do what the doctors tell you, okay? Maybe you'll see that nurse again. I'll visit just as soon as I can, okay?"

Dean hated how easily he was held in place and knew Jeff and Sam weren’t even expending that much effort to hold him down. The pleased smirk plastered on Eric’s face only made Dean’s blood boil hotter. He was going to fucking kill the bastard when he got his hands on him…

“I don’t need a fucking ambulance.” Dean ground out in reply, though he stopped struggling to get up, since he couldn’t budge Sam and Jeff’s grip on him anyway. It took a moment for what else Jeff had said to penetrate.

“Cops? What the fuck for?” One look at Sam as the younger boy began to apologize, telling him that he wasn’t going to be able to go to the hospital with him, and the pieces fell into place. If possible Dean’s expression turned even darker.

“Let me up.” Dean ordered, giving Jeff a look that meant there would be hell to pay if he didn’t. He wasn’t going to try to go after Lancaster again. Not now at least. But he wasn’t going to the fucking hospital again, that was for damned sure. Not if that bastard was going to have Sam fucking arrested!

“I don’t need to go to the god damned hospital. I’m fine.”

Jeff saw the look, the murder in Dean's eyes. He was glad he wasn't Lancaster, but then, Lancaster really had no idea what a hunter was capable of. Hunters didn't hunt people, but that didn't mean they couldn't pound them into the ground. Multiple times. Lancaster was a cocky son-of a bitch that was probably accustomed to either picking on smaller targets, or having his cronies back him up. He was going to be in for a shock when Dean was well enough to go after him. And Jeff was more than ready to help Dean. Take Lancaster out with a tranq, drag his ass to some isolated location, keep him blindfolded, and whump on him for a few days. Although Dean would want to do the beating, Dean would need to be seen to have an alibi. Jeff would get the pleasure. Yeah…like Dean would give up that joy.

"You are staying flat on you back. All your stitches have been ripped and you've been unconscious for a good couple minutes." Dean was of legal age and he could deny treatment if he really insisted on it. "And Bobby will kick your ass if you don't go to the hospital and get checked out."

"Please Dean," Sam begged. "Please go to the hospital. There's nothing you can do. Let them check you out and fix your stitches, okay? Then Bobby can take you home and I'll be there tonight or tomorrow. Promise." Sam had no idea how long he would be stuck at the police station or juvi hall. Would bail be set right away? And would his parents let him check on Dean? It didn't matter, he decided. If he had to sneak out in the middle of the night, he'd get over to see Dean.

Dean grit his teeth in frustration, it was about all he could fucking do. Jeff wasn’t letting him up. When the older boy mentioned Bobby… yeah he had a point. If Dean went to the police station with Sam instead of going to the hospital Bobby would probably kill him, or at least rip him a new asshole, but he didn’t really care.

When Sam started begging him though… Dean sighed heavily and grudgingly nodded, but it was obvious he was far from pleased.

“Fine. But I want Jeff to go with you.” Dean finally said. He wasn’t exactly sure how much pull Lancaster had with the cops but when he had broken the bastard’s hand and beat up his friends they had certainly made his life hell. He didn’t want Sam to have to go through that alone.

By then the ambulance had pulled up and the paramedics were there. Déjà vu all over again. Dean tried to keep a hold of Sam’s hand for as long as he could, trying to offer the younger boy what reassurance he could but eventually they forced Sam to move so they could check him over. By the time they had him loaded up onto a gurney the cops had shown up as well.

Sam started to protest but the look on Dean's face made him close his mouth and nod instead. "Okay. Deal."

Jeff and Sam were forced to step back. Jeff wrapped one arm over Sam's chest, holding him close, offering what support he could. He knew what it felt like when someone you cared about was being taken away in an ambulance.

One of Sam's hands went to Jeff's arm and held on, squeezing it as he watched them load Dean onto a cot. If Eric hadn't been there he knew he'd be crying but he wouldn't give that asshole the pleasure of seeing his tears. His eyes stayed locked with Dean's until they shut the ambulance doors. He looked up into Jeff's eyes. Absurdly he thought to himself that Jeff had pretty eyes, his mind going back to the talk Dean and he'd had the night before. Jeff gave him a final hug.

"He's fine Sam. They'll probably keep him for observation over night, or Bobby will take him home late today."

Sam gave a nod and a grateful look to Jeff. Jeff smiled at him. "I'll follow you to the police station. They don't have a right to question you without your parents present. Wait until one of your parents are there before making any statement, okay? I'll stay with you, or if they won't let me be beside you, I'll be there at the station. Even though you might be alone in the room, I'm there, okay? Don't let them bully you into saying anything until your parents arrive."

"I thought you said they were the good guys," Sam said, getting a little more nervous.

"They probably are, but…" he glanced back at Lancaster then returned his gaze to Sam, "better to play it safe."

Sam nodded. When the police approached and asked for a statement, Jeff shook his head. "He's not saying anything until his parents are with him."

Jeff refused to give a statement until they were at the police station because he knew they would separate him from Sam. He also said to the officer, "I'm pressing charges against him," he pointed at Adam, "for assault."

Adam's eyes grew wide and he began to sputter a protest. Jeff gave him a grim smile. "You hit me first. That's called assault." He looked at the officer. "If you're taking Sam in under arrest, then he goes too." He flicked his gaze challengingly at Eric.

Eric watched as they loaded Winchester into the ambulance and the misery written clearly on Sam’s face was satisfying to say the least. He was only disappointed that Winchester’s condition wasn’t more serious. Well, that could easily change. He would have to see what he could do about that.

Then the police arrived and Eric knew he’d take a great deal of pleasure seeing them lead the younger boy away in handcuffs. He had warned Sam before he would be sorry. Colt was just getting a taste of what he could do to him… and whoever he cared for most. If that person just happened to be Winchester… all the better.

Though when the newcomer announced he was pressing charges against Adam, Eric scowled darkly.

He was definitely going to make that bastard pay for siding with Winchester and Colt.

Eric whispered his reassurances to Adam that he would take care of it, they didn’t have a leg to stand on since Sam had stuck first and he’d come to his defense, and that he wouldn’t be at the station for even an hour. Adam was far from pleased but he grudgingly nodded.

It was surreal, being read the Miranda Rights and feeling the cold metal bracelets being put on his wrists. It was just like TV but it wasn't. This was really happening. To him. When he was put in the back of the police cruiser he saw there weren't any handles to open the door from his compartment, and seeing the cage between himself and the cops…he didn't like it. He'd always been such a goody-two shoes and he knew it, that to be in the back of a cop car was almost beyond his belief in his own little world.

He turned his gaze on the smug senior, anger clear on his face. This was all Eric's fault. Well, he had a thing or two to tell the cops. He would accuse Eric of what he knew was the truth, that Eric hired someone to run Dean down, and when they asked why, even though his parents were there he'd tell them. Eric hated Dean because when Eric tried to rape him at the old church and Sam got away, Dean agreed to protect Sam against Eric after Eric and his boys had beaten the hell out of him the next day. Eric was pissed Sam had turned to someone he already hated. He had no proof, and he didn't figure anyone would believe him so that's why he didn't report it, but he sure as hell hadn't beaten himself up.

His parents, he knew, would be aghast that the rich kid they liked had tried to rape him. Well, maybe it would wake them up—wake his dad up to the fact Eric was a creep. While he wasn't upset that he and Dean had a relationship, the fact that he had been making out with a guy still sort of bothered him and it was Eric's fault that had happened.

Jeff watched them take Sam away and walked back to his car. It was a mess, but he was still a little pleased Sam, the kid he was supposed to be protecting, had the balls to go after the senior like he had. He wasn't some cowering little whiny shit. He didn't have enough sense to goad the target of his rage into throwing the first punch, he obviously had a lot to learn about fighting, but he had guts. Jeff wished he knew more of the details behind the mess they were all in, but maybe Bobby could fill in some of the blanks.

As he settled behind the wheel of his car and started it, he called Bobby and filled him in. He had to hold the phone away from his ear while Bobby spewed out a collection of cuss words that would make a Marine proud. When Bobby finished his rant, Jeff told him to call Bigelow.

Bigelow wasn't a hunter but a top notch lawyer in Georgia, and he knew the score after his kid was taken and killed—okay, eaten--by a hobgoblin. His marriage had fallen apart and although he was probably still young enough to start hunting, he chose to become useful to hunters in a more practical way. He helped hunters with entanglements involving the police and with other things. He had a network of people he had defended that could get hunters anything they needed in the way of weapons, and he had lawyers who he could call in favors from. He had heard the rumor the guy even had mob connections. He didn't care, he just knew the guy was useful as hell.

Normally no one went to him for something as trivial as this, but Lancaster was his own kind of evil and Jeff figured it was Bigelow worthy. He would love to see some high priced lawyer show up and defend Sam pro-bono. Maybe Sam's family didn't need the help but stringing together all the facts that he knew, he didn't figure Sam came from money and that it would shake Lancaster up a bit to discover Sam's family had connections he never guessed. When Bigelow got involved, no one served time of any sort. Period. It was almost scary what he could pull off.