Eric asked for permission to leave school grounds in order to go to the police station to give his statement. On the way he called his father, explained the situation, and within fifteen minutes of his arrival at the police station one of his father's lawyers was there while he gave his statement to the cops.

He told them how he and Sam Colt had met and how they had become friends. How he had helped the younger boy fit in at his new school. How everything had been going so well, and how even though Sam began asking him for things, fancy lunches, and other gifts, Eric hadn't minded providing them because he'd genuinely liked Sam. When the younger boy started making sexual advances towards him, Eric denied him, because Sam was still underage, but Eric was fully prepared to wait if that's what Sam wanted.

He told the police that's when Sam changed. He'd taken the younger boy for a ride and Sam was all over him, and wouldn't stop no matter what Eric said or did. When he finally pushed the younger boy away Sam had gotten violent with him. He told the cops Sam had threatened to blackmail him and tell everyone that Eric had tried to rape him, and had even tried to break his legs when Eric tried to get out of the car before running away.

Despite the way Sam had acted Eric spent hours looking for Sam, afraid what might happen to the boy so far from town out on his own. He told the police he'd tried to talk to Sam the next day, but Sam had blown him off completely so Eric had let him be. At the end of the day though he heard about all the trouble Sam had been having, that he'd been beaten up by some other kids. No, he didn't know who had done it or why, but Eric had gone to Sam's house and waited for him to see if there was anything he could do to help. That was when Sam had shown up with Winchester.

Eric told the police about the trouble he and Winchester had a while back. How the older boy had assaulted him and his friends once before, and though charges had been made they'd been dropped. He told the police that he wouldn't have been surprised if Winchester had been the one to convince Sam try blackmailing him in the first place, everyone at school knew that Winchester was dangerous. Adam and Cody collaborated his story perfectly, agreeing that Sam had changed when Winchester had returned to school.

He admitted to the police that he had been outside the restaurant that day when Winchester had almost been hit by the car. Of course he hadn't known what had happened at the time, he had just been on his way back to school from lunch when he saw the car tear out of the parking lot. The windows unfortunately were tinted and he didn't see the driver, and he didn't think to get the license number. It wasn't until the next day he learned that Winchester had been hurt.

Despite their differences a hit and run was serious business so Eric had decided to ask Winchester about it today when he saw him at school, and that was when Sam had attacked him unprovoked. Breaking his nose, kneeing him in the crotch, and hitting him before he could even raise his hands to defend himself. Adam had tried to come to his aid and the new student, Jeff, had gotten in the middle of it. It had been purely an accident that Jeff had been hit. When Winchester tried to get in the middle of the fight, Eric had assumed he meant to attack him as well since the other senior had before, and he'd defended himself. Of course he had no idea how badly Winchester was hurt already, how could he?

Once the police finished questioning him, Eric asked that a restraining order be placed against Sam Colt and Dean Winchester, saying that he was afraid they might try to do him harm again. Once they were done with their statements they were allowed to leave, even Adam, as Eric had promised. Eric had to admit, he was quite pleased with the story he'd given the police. Hell, even he would believe it.

A lawyer, Mr. Sanders, made it to the police station even before his parents. Mr. Sanders told Sam that he had been called in by a friend of Jeff's. He would be working Sam's case until some lawyer from out of town came in, if Mr. Sanders deemed it necessary. Sam talked with the lawyer, told him everything, even, reluctantly, that Dean and he were together and how it all happened. He told the man he didn't want his parents to know about him and Dean, not yet, and definitely not in the wake of all of this so he would rather not reveal that if he didn't have to. When he assured the lawyer that he and Dean really were together by his choice, the lawyer seemed to relax a little. He went over Sam's statement with him a few times, coaching him on what to say, what not to say, stressing even a slightly misconstrued word could be twisted.

After Sam's parents arrived, the lawyer encouraged Sam to give the statement as soon as they arrived. He didn't want Sam swayed by anything his parents said to him about the whole ordeal. As soon as the statement was submitted, Mr. Sanders informed the family he would be filing restraining orders against Eric, Adam, and Cody on behalf of both Dean and Sam. He also told them that whatever bail was set at, his firm would cover it. He was confident he could get the charges reduced to a misdemeanor and Sam would probably be required to take an anger management course and be put on probation at worse. The fact he broke Eric's nose meant the lawyer probably couldn't get the charges dropped, but he would try.

A few hours after everything was filed Sam was released to the custody of his parents. After meeting Jeff, Sam's parents drove Sam to the hospital in silence. Sam kept waiting for them to say something but he was reluctant to say a word if they weren't going to. He was just glad they were letting him see Dean fearing that they were going to take him straight home and ground him until he was forty.

Dean was still in the emergency room when Sam got there. He could see immediately that Dean was pissed and Bobby, sitting nearby, wasn't any happier.

"Dean!" Sam exclaimed worriedly and rushed to his side. "Are you okay? Is your concussion any worse?" Sam wanted to at least take Dean's hand but forced himself to wrap his hands around the cold bed railing instead.

Dean had made himself quite clear when he got to the hospital.

Stitch him up and send him home.

No, he didn't want anything more than local anesthesia while they went about stitching him back up. He knew the fucking quacks would try to put him out completely if they could, and he wouldn't let them. Yeah, it had fucking hurt when they removed the torn stitches and redid them, even with the local anesthetic, but at least he was still conscious when it was over. That meant he could leave.

Only they weren't letting him leave. Or more correctly, Bobby wasn't letting him leave.

Dean had refused to let them take any more pictures of his fucking head. Yeah, he had the fucking headache from hell, but he was fine. Even the quacks had grudgingly agreed there was probably nothing to worry about, after they'd shined a light into his eyes a half dozen times. There was no god damned reason for them to give him another damned CAT scan or MRI or whatever the fuck they wanted to do just to run up Bobby's insurance even higher than it already was. No, that wasn't the real reason why he was refusing, but it was a convienent excuse.

He was ready to leave god damn it, he wanted to go see Sam, but Bobby was being a jack ass. Not only was he not signing him out, telling him in no uncertain terms he was not going to take him to the police station, he was talking about leaving him here for the whole fucking weekend for observation while he was away on the god damned hunt! God damn it, he didn't need to be fucking babysat! He could take care of himself for fucks sake! He and Bobby had gotten into a shouting match right there in the emergency room that had lasted for a good hour until the doctors had threatened to sedate him anyway if he didn't quiet down.

Dean was actually more than a little surprised when he heard Sam's voice from the door. A look of relief passed over his features as he turned his attention away from the older hunter to Sam, though at the younger boy's question his expression quickly shifted back to one of annoyance.

"I'm fine." Dean replied, though he turned to Bobby with a glare as he said it.

"I'm not leaving you by yerself this weekend," Bobby said firmly, his nostrils practically flaring as he returned Dean's glare. "You know I have to go out of town. I can't wait another month to do this job. You can stay in the hospital a few days, watch TV and relax. It won't kill you. As soon as I get back in town I'll come here straight away to pick you up. They ain't no compromise on this, Dean. You ain't staying by yerself."

Sam could see Dean was about to argue with the old mechanic and rested his hand on his arm. "Maybe I could…" he glanced at his parents, "stay with you?"

Jim, Sam's father, shook his head. "You're not staying out there all weekend Sam—" he began, but Keiko interrupted.

"Because Dean is going to stay with us," she said.

Jim stared at his wife like she had just become covered with yellow polka-dots. "Keiko—"

"Sweetheart, I agree, Sam shouldn't be out there all weekend. If Bobby has to be out of town, Dean shouldn't be alone out there either."

Jim's gaze went from Keiko to his hopeful-eyed son, to the surly teenager his son had obviously connected with. He shook his head and sighed. With both his wife and son united on this front, he was going to lose the fight. He really didn't want Sam out at the junkyard by himself so this was a reasonable compromise he supposed. Both he and Keiko did want to get to know Dean better. The fact Sam was violent toward another person concerned them both, but after hearing what had brought it on, Jim had to admit to being a bit proud of his son, standing up for his friend like that, being unafraid after everything Eric had done. He was kicking himself for ordering Sam to 'make it right' between Eric and Sam. He should have listened to his boy. He didn't want his son being friends with someone like Eric, no matter what connections Eric could offer Sam. At this point, he wasn't sure he wanted Sam going back to that school ever again and certainly not without protection. Protection Dean apparently offered him.

"All right," Jim said, "I can see right now I'm outnumbered. If it's all right with Bobby."

Both Bobby's eyebrows practically disappeared underneath his ball cap. Sam offering to stay with Dean didn't surprise him. The Colts offering to take his boy in, did. Dean hadn't made a sterling impression on them last time. One look at Keiko and Bobby knew she was scheming. She wanted her and her husband to have a chance to get to know Dean and this was the perfect excuse. A captive audience. And Dean would be absolutely hating every minute of it. Bobby almost…almost wanted to laugh.

"Up to you, son. Hospital or the Colts' house. Them's yer choices. Ain't no door number three."

"Please Dean," Sam begged. "Come stay with us."

It was the same thing they’d been arguing about for the last hour and it really was a wonder that Bobby hadn’t had a stroke by now the way that vein in his forehead kept throbbing the way it was. Dean knew the older man was reaching the end of his patience, but he didn’t really give a shit.

Bobby knew how much he hated hospitals. But more to the point he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself, god damn it! He wasn’t asking Bobby not to go on the hunt. He didn’t need a fucking babysitter. The older man was perfectly willing to leave him alone this weekend before, now was no different. So what if his stitches had been ripped, they were now fixed. So fucking what if he’d gotten hit on the head again, he wasn’t going to keel over because of that. Bobby was fucking over reacting.

He was nineteen. He could legally sign himself out of the hospital if that’s what it took, and there was nothing Bobby could do about it. He’d told Bobby if he tried to leave him here he would just check himself out and walk home, and the older hunter’s blood pressure had really gone through the roof then.

Before Dean could pick up their argument where they’d left off before the Colts had arrived, Sam spoke up, and he honestly wasn’t surprised by the younger boy’s offer. That was something Dean definitely wouldn’t mind on any occasion. Him and Sam alone without a chaperone all weekend… But Dean also knew that the younger boy’s parents would never allow it.

Just as Dean figured almost immediately Sam’s father began to protest, but Dean’s eyes practically fell out of his head when the younger boy’s mom suggested that he spend the weekend at Sam’s. Sam’s father was looking at Sam’s mom like she was insane, and Dean had to wonder if maybe she was too. Grudgingly the man agreed though. And while Bobby seemed just as surprised as Dean by the offer initially, he agreed as well. Sam, predictably, looked pleased and hopeful by the idea.

God damn it. Now they were all staring at him waiting for his answer.

No way in hell Dean wanted to spend the weekend in suburban hell, but at the same time there was no way in hell he wanted to stay at the hospital for the whole weekend, or however long it took for Bobby to take care of the werewolf. Dean gave one more heated glare at Bobby that could have reduced a lesser man to a pile of ashes before he looked at Sam. His expression softened considerably even though it was far from happy.

“Fine.”

It took every iota of control Sam had not to lean in and kiss Dean. He settled for a grin that practically split his face in two. He squeezed Dean's arm, his face practically shining. Maybe Dean and his parents would find some common ground since Dean was going to have to deal with them for a good three or four days. Dean couldn't keep running off and hiding or avoiding them either.

Keiko smiled at Bobby. "Then it's settled. We'll take Dean home and get him settled in. If you could bring by some fresh clothes for him and toothbrush and such, that would be wonderful."

Bobby gave a sharp nod, dry-scrubbing his face. He could hardly believe Dean accepted the offer by the Colts, but he knew good and well it was Sam's plea that had swayed him. He was just relieved Dean would be watched over and he wouldn't have to worry about the boy all weekend. He could focus on the hunt, which is what he needed to do. "I'll drop his clothes off then pick up his car and tow it home. Is Sam going to school tomorrow? Will Jeff need to pick him up?"

Jim and Keiko looked at each other, seeming to hold a silent conversation between themselves. Jim finally gave a nod. "I think it would be best if Sam did go to school. He's missed a lot already."

"Who's gonna stay with Dean," Sam said, obviously upset at the idea.

"I will," Keiko said. "I'm sure Dean will be resting most of the day. I've got a lot of work to do on the computer, I'll just telecommute tomorrow. We can set Dean up in the den on the sofa sleeper. It's queen sized and should be plenty big for him. Jeff and you can come home at lunchtime so you can check on him and bring him his homework."

Sam turned back to Dean and gave a helpless shrug. "You can sleep most the day and I can set up the VCR and Playstation for you for when you're awake. If things aren't going well, maybe I'll just go half a day."

Jim walked up behind Sam and gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Try to make it the day, though, okay son? You've got Jeff looking out for you, but if that's not working out, you don't hesitate to call your mom. I'll give you my cell phone for the day to keep with you. I think it's time we got you one, especially with all this going on. We'll get you one of those with a camera in it in case you need to 'document' anything."

"Really?" Sam said, shocked.

"Yes…and we'll discuss you going to another school if that's what you want. I don't know if Eric will leave you alone no matter what school you're attending though and," he gave a nod to Dean, "I'd rather you have someone who's going to look out for you. We'll take it a day at a time, okay?"

Sam nodded and turned back to Dean. "It'll be okay. I won't do anything stupid. Promise."

Sam was happy. Bobby was satisfied. Dean, however, was not happy or satisfied. Not by a long shot. In fact, he was actually rather pissed off but there wasn’t much he could do about it right now. With a choice between staying at the fucking hospital or staying at the Colts… Staying at the Colts instead of the hospital only seemed slightly less hellish because of the fact that Sam would be there.

Yeah, he’d promised Sam he’d come over once in a while to try to get to know his parents, but he’d been lying at the time. This wasn’t fucking once in a while, though. This was for days straight… Dean had a feeling if he didn’t want to kill them by the time this was all over they would definitely want to kill him. Bobby was the only one who’d ever put up with him for any extended length of time. He was certain eventually even Sam would get sick of him and kick him to the curb one of these days… this would probably only hasten that.

He really didn’t like the fact that it also seemed like he was going to have to go over there now instead of tomorrow when Bobby, Jeff, and his Dad were leaving. He supposed he probably couldn’t blame Bobby. The older hunter probably didn’t want him ‘under foot’ and having to take care of him when he should be getting ready for the hunt. But it didn’t make Dean any happier.

Dean liked it even less when the topic changed to if Sam was going to go to school tomorrow… and apparently he was. Leaving Dean at his house alone with Sam’s mother. Fucking great…

So, yeah, Dean was pissed and he couldn’t muster up anything more than a frown for Sam when the younger boy promised him he wouldn’t do anything ‘stupid’ tomorrow. What, like today? Oh yeah, he had a few words to share with Sam about what had happened today but he wasn’t going to share them in front of Bobby and Sam’s parents.

Dean was honestly more than a little surprised that Sam’s parents weren’t forbidding the younger boy to ever see him again considering everything that had happened. Thinking he was a ‘bad influence’, which Dean couldn’t even really deny, and blaming him for all the trouble that Sam had gotten into lately.

“Can I get the hell out of here now?” Dean finally demanded, turning back to Bobby, he was more than ready to get the fuck out of this hospital.

"I'll get the doctor," Bobby said and headed off to find someone to get Dean signed out.

Sam found Dean's belongings in a bag. It had his wallet, cellphone, keys, and a pocket knife. Sam frowned. No t-shirt. Dean lost another t-shirt because of him. His school blazer wouldn't come close to fitting Dean and he wasn't really sure if he had any shirt that would be loose enough for him. Maybe his dad would have something at the house until Bobby arrived with Dean's things.

Sam knew his parents might think it was weird, but he was going to stay in the den with Dean tonight. He didn't want Dean having a nightmare and waking up in a strange place. That way he could check on Dean every couple hours, too. He could sleep in the recliner. He'd slept in it before and it was comfortable enough.

Using the remote control, Sam elevated the head of the bed so Dean wouldn't have to strain to get up. Bobby was back in just a minute with a nurse. Dean signed papers as did Bobby since Dean was on his insurance. Stripping off his flannel so he was just in a t-shirt, Bobby handed the flannel to Dean and they helped Dean get into it. The nurse started to hand Dean his prescription but Bobby took it. "I'll bring over what you have left. Iffen there's not enough to get you through until Monday, I'll get these filled for you and bring them when I bring your other stuff."

While Sam retrieved a wheelchair his father and mother headed out to get the car. Bobby gave Dean a stern look. "You try to be nice to them folk, for Sam's sake if nothing else. And you rest up. Don't go straining yourself. You let Sam help you do things, let them help you do things if you hafta, no matter how it hurts yer pride. You fall on your ass on the way to the bathroom or something and you'll just end up being down longer." After a moment he added quietly. "If they move Sam to another school and they're amenable to it, we'll move you too. Chafes my butt to let that rich snot win, but Sam's welfare," Bobby shook his head, "he's more important than you getting a diploma from Chalmers. I think he'll need you looking after him even at a new school. If we do switch you to a new school, I want straight A's out of you. That'll be the deal. You can follow Sam, but straight A's are the price. So, you want me to bring you anything special for while you're at the Colts?"

Dean was a bit surprised that Bobby didn’t argue with him leaving now. He half expected the older man to insist that he get another picture taken of his head, or at least stay a few more hours for ‘observation’, before he let him leave the hospital, but he didn’t. Maybe it was because Bobby was at the end of his rope with him and it was either give in or throttle him. Either that or Bobby knew that if he didn’t get him signed out Dean was going to get up and walk out by himself whether he was able to or not.

Either way, Dean really didn’t care as long as it meant he could leave.

He gave the younger boy a nod of thanks when Sam started elevating the bed up for him, but even then Dean couldn’t hide the wince of pain that just moving that little bit caused in his side. Sure, it had hurt like a bitch before, but at least it had been a clean cut then. Ripped stitches though hurt like a fucking bitch. Yes, he was going to kill that mother fucker, Eric. Or at least make the bastard wish he was dead.

At least Bobby had returned fast with the nurse and Dean signed whatever he had to get him out of here. He felt really bad as he watched Bobby signing the insurance papers. Having to go to the hospital twice in one week, and it didn’t even have to do with a hunt. Oh yeah, Lancaster, dead meat.

When Bobby took off his own shirt and then went to help him into it, Dean half wanted to protest but he couldn’t exactly walk out of here half naked, so he merely gave the older man a nod of thanks.

“All right.” Dean agreed when Bobby mentioned his prescriptions. No denying he could really go for some painkillers right about now. The older man ordering him to ‘be nice’ wasn’t much of surprise, and though he gave the older hunter a dirty look he nodded again. For Sam’s sake…

When Bobby mentioned the possibility of taking him out of that school if Sam went to another school… ok, that fucking surprised him. Especially the way Bobby had been so damned adamant that he graduate from that place. Though Dean wouldn’t deny, Sam was definitely more important to him than graduating from that place. He was just… surprised. Bobby’s comment about him getting straight A’s in return almost had Dean rolling his eyes. Yeah, like that was ever going to happen. But he and Bobby could ‘negotiate’ later if it came to that.

“How about my .45?” Dean answered Bobby’s question of if he wanted anything ‘special’. Dean wasn’t even kidding. He didn’t really like the idea of being unarmed somewhere for so long and he would be practically defenseless if something bad went down.

Bobby hesitated. "Not without the Colts' permission. You can't just take a gun into a stranger's house. We don't know how thin of ice you're on as it stands with them. That could be the straw, Dean. Hell this weekend could be the straw that ends you and Sam being together if you're not careful."

Bobby was about to say more when Sam returned with the wheelchair. Bobby and a nurse helped ease Dean into it. Sam immediately stepped behind the chair and once the nurse left, leaned down and kissed Dean on the side of the neck. "My parents really are pretty cool. You'll see," Sam promised him. He leaned a little further around and planted a light kiss on Dean's lips. "So try to be nice."

With that Sam unlocked the brakes, picked up Dean's bag and handed it to him, then pushed Dean toward the exit, Bobby walking beside Dean. "Oh, jerkface slapped a restraining order on you and me. And my lawyer put a restraining order on jerkface and his two henchmen. Course there's the exception of when we're in classes together. Like I even ever want to get within sight of the dickwad again. On the up side, I did break his nose. The nurse at the school set it and he yelped like a girl. I'm sorry I lost it and punched him and got you in another mess."

Dean frowned. To say he wasn’t pleased was definitely an understatement. Sure, he knew it was highly unlikely something supernatural would stop by for a visit at the Colt’s just because he was there… but that didn’t mean it couldn’t happen. So he was going to spend the whole fucking weekend practically a sitting duck. After all ‘normal’ people didn’t salt their windows and doorways. Normal people didn’t draw discrete protection symbols on their walls or sleep with silver knives under the pillow. And Dean was going to be left with nothing but harsh language to throw at something if it attacked.

Just fucking great.

He knew Bobby was probably right. That he was on ‘thin ice’ with Sam’s parents and he’d probably been there for a while… and they didn’t even know he was fucking Sam yet. What if they did forbid Sam from seeing him? Probably not defy his parents. Not for him, the junk yard trash. Ok, so them finding a gun if they went snooping into his stuff would be bad. But Dean still didn’t like the idea of being unarmed for that long… There was a reason why he never felt safe anywhere before he came to live with Bobby, after all.

Sam returned with the wheelchair then, and Dean had to bite back several curses that would have made a sailor proud as they helped him into it. Mother fuck, that hurt. Dean took several deep breaths through his nose, trying to push back the pain and control his nausea. It would probably be a bad thing to throw up in the Colt’s car too.

The brush of the younger boy’s lips against his neck helped distract him a little from the pain at least. Though the second kiss Sam gave to his lips was far more welcome. They probably wouldn’t even be able to do that with Sam’s parents probably watching him like a hawk all weekend.

Dean couldn’t say he was really surprised to hear about the restraining orders. Not like that was going to do much good. Dean did snort a little in amusement when the younger boy said he broke Eric’s nose, even though he was still kind of pissed at Sam for the incident.

At Sam’s apology Dean leaned his head back to rest against Sam’s stomach, looking up at the younger boy.

“You owe me...” He replied. Dean would have added more to that if Bobby wasn’t standing right next to him. He’d fill in the blank for Sam later though.

"You shouldn't have yanked me out of the way," Sam scolded him. "I might have been able to dodge. Oh, and I was chatting with one of the nurses, that redhead from the other night. She said a blond guy came in asking about you. She saw him talking to another guy who works there, so it's a good bet he knew exactly what your injuries were, if him hitting you where he did didn't already prove it."

When they got outside Keiko had the passenger's door open for Dean. "It's easiest to get in and out of the front seat, trust me. I'll hold the door steady. Sam you pull the chair out of Bobby's way once Dean's standing. Jim will help you from inside. The more we can ease you in, the less likely you'll tug on those stitches." See his look she cocked and eyebrow out him. "No, I know you're not an invalid, but I also know how much stitches in your side hurt. I have the scars to prove it."

With careful orchestration they got Dean settled into the front seat. Sam rolled the wheelchair back to the waiting nurse. While he did that, Bobby pulled Keiko aside.

"Dean's not use to be unarmed," he said softly. "He was wondering if you'd permit me to bring him his gun."

Keiko stared at Bobby a moment then after a sigh finally gave a nod. "All right. I understand. Nothing bigger than a 9-mm though, it has to have a working safety that is on, and I'd rather Sam didn't know."

Bobby eyed her with surprise. She smiled tolerantly at him. "I know what you do Bobby. What I assume Dean does. Sam doesn't need to know about such things. Not yet. I will…eventually tell him since he will become caretaker of the Bow of the Golden Dragon. But I want him to keep his innocence a while longer. It's a terrible burden, that knowledge." She suddenly broke into a broader smile, her eyes shifting to her approaching son. "Let's get Dean home."

Bobby gave a nod, taking in what she had just revealed. So she knew about hunting. Had she hunted in her youth? He wondered and definitely would pursue such questions at a later time. Bobby leaned in to Dean. "I'll see you in a bit."

He shut the door to the SAAB and headed for the tow truck.

When the Colts were settled in the car, Keiko asked Dean, "Do you feel up to eating Dean? We can pick up fast food if your hungry now, or I can make something when we home. What sounds good?"

Sam just didn’t get it. How was Dean supposed to just stand there and do nothing? Just let Eric hurt Sam again after everything that bastard had already done to the younger boy? Maybe Sam could have dodged. Maybe Jeff could have taken care of all three of the bastards. But Dean still couldn’t have just stood there and done nothing. Dean was still kicking himself over the last time Sam had trusted him to protect him and Dean hadn’t been there. He wasn’t going to let that happen again, damn it. Dean certainly wasn’t going to let something happen to Sam when he was standing right there. If there was anything he could do to stop it.

When Sam mentioned his hot nurse possibly seeing Lancaster at the hospital asking about him… no, that wasn’t much of a surprise to him. Dean knew it wasn’t just ‘luck’ that had let that son of a bitch hit him where he knew it would bring him down. He could just imagine how the prick was probably bragging how he’d taken him out all by himself…

His thoughts of just exactly how he was going to make Eric pay for that were cut off when they made it outside where Sam’s parent’s car was waiting for them. Though Dean frowned in displeasure as Sam’s mom described how they were going to maneuver him into the car rather than let him do it for himself, he held his tongue. What made it worse was it turned out he needed every bit of help getting settled into the front seat.

God damn it.

“Yeah.” Dean muttered unhappily when Bobby said his goodbye… on to suburban hell.

When Sam’s mom asked him if he were hungry, Dean shook his head. He was too damned nauseous, his head hurt too fucking much, and he was too tired to even think about eating right now. He wondered if they would think he was just being ‘difficult’ if he refused. Probably. Too bad.

“I’m not hungry.”

"I'm not surprised," Keiko said, seeing how pale the young man looked. "Then we'll pick up some fast food and I'll make some stew for dinner. Maybe after you get some pain medicine in you and some sleep you'll feel up to eating. We can always go with soup if stew doesn't sound good. Jim why don't we pick up some fried chicken. That way if Dean decides it smells good and thinks he can keep it down they'll be plenty of extra."

It wasn't long before they had gotten their food which Keiko made her husband put in the egg crate in the trunk so Dean wouldn't have to smell it until they got home. When they got to the Colts' house Keiko took the food in and got the sofa bed pulled out and quickly tucked a sheet over the mattress. Though Sam wanted to help Dean to his feet, his father interceded.

"I'm stronger, Sam. He needs a good steady arm to help him up. As soon as he's up you help steady him on his left. Don't worry about the car door. I'll come back out and close it."

Jim gently helped support Dean to his feet. "There's no rush walking in. Take your time Dean. The last thing you need is to throw up or even to trip. Sam, give him your arm to steady himself with."

The three walked slowly inside and Dean was guided to the sleeper sofa. Keiko already had pillows there and a blanket. Jim and Sam helped Dean sit down on it.

"I got him from here Dad," Sam said.

Jim straightened and gave a nod. "Okay, then I'll go help your mother. After you get him settled, come out and eat, then you can come back in and sit with him. I'll get the playstation and such ready to move in here for you boys. Dean, if you think you're up to eating, Sam can bring you in a plate. We have fried chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and apple pie. We've got soda, ice tea or lemonade to drink. And water of course."

"Thanks Dad," Sam said sincerely.

Jim gave a nod to the boys and headed out. Sam promptly went to work removing Dean's boots.

"How are you feeling?" Sam asked as he got the first boot off.

Dean didn’t comment, pretty sure he wasn’t supposed to, as Sam’s mother went on discussing possible dinner arrangements for her family. Stew or soup? What the hell was the difference anyway? The chicken did sound good, at least it would have if the thought of putting anything in his mouth right now didn’t make him nauseous.

He wished they would have let him sit in the back. At least that way he might have been able to talk quietly with the younger boy. Instead he merely stared out the windshield, until he realized that was only making his nausea worse and dropped his gaze to his lap instead. He really hoped he didn’t throw up all over himself, that would be embarrassing, to say the least and Dean had enough wounds to his pride today.

At last they reached the Colt’s house. Dean never thought he’d be ‘glad’ to see it, and he wasn’t really now, he was just glad to get out of the moving car. Almost as soon as they stopped Dean had the door open, and a few seconds later Sam was there… then Sam’s father… to help him out of the car. Dean wished he could deny that he needed any help from the older man, but he couldn’t even kid himself considering how much help he’d needed just getting him into the car at the hospital.

Getting out of the car and walking into Sam’s house proved just as unpleasant as he’d thought it would be, even with the help. Christ, he felt like he was nine hundred years old or something. By the time Sam and his father deposited him on the pull out bed Dean could feel his muscles trembling a little and sweat dripping down the back of his neck.

Dean was really glad when Sam said he’d take over from there, and it was all he could do not to flop back on the bed. Only the knowledge of how much that would probably hurt prevented him from doing just that.

“Just peachy.” Dean muttered at Sam’s question, resting a hand on the younger boy’s shoulder to keep himself steady as Sam tugged his shoe off.

"That good huh?" Sam said. Carefully undoing the other boot's laces he pulled it off as gently as possible. "Mom makes really good stew, I hope you feel like eating by then, but she'll make plenty for leftovers. Or there'll be leftover chicken if that sounds better. I'm sure she'll make homemade bread with the stew and there's just nothing more awesome." Sam adjusted the pillows so Dean's head and upper back would be a little elevated. He could tell Dean was definitely wavering feeling Dean's hand periodically tightening on his shoulder to help his keep his balance.

Wrapping his arm around Dean's back, he helped Dean lay back slowly, making sure he was supporting all the weight Dean would let him support. As soon as Dean was down, Sam fussed over him a little, making certain the pillows were adjusted right, that his shirt wasn't uncomfortable crumpled under him, all the while moving with the utmost care so as not to jostle the older teen. He pulled the light flannel blanket his mom had gotten out. He was afraid the sheet would be too light and the quilt too heavy. Pausing a moment to listen, then confident both his parents were in the kitchen, he leaned down and kissed Dean.

"I'm going to get a damp washcloth for your face and get you some water with a straw. And a bucket in case you get too nauseous. Did you want me to make you up a little snack plate? Maybe just a couple bites of chicken and a spoonful of mashed potatoes and a bite or two of pie? Does that sound like a good idea or a really bad idea? Should I have Mom make you up some Jello? It would be ready in a couple hours if that sounds good instead."

Dean merely grunted in reply as Sam went about tugging off his other boot, fixing his pillows, and finally helped him lay down. He hated needing the younger boy’s help for doing something so simple. Getting up again was going to be a royal bitch, he could tell. Sam had to support nearly all his weight going down just so he wouldn’t fall back against the pillows and pull at his newly stitched up side.

Which meant that he was probably going to need help getting up to go to the bathroom too… Just fucking great. Maybe he would feel better once he was loaded up on painkillers again. He could hope at least.

Sam was acting all mother hen, which under other circumstances would probably have annoyed him to hell but Dean didn’t really mind it right now. He let the younger boy fuss over him without complaint and smiled a little when Sam leaned in to kiss him when he was done. Though the smile slipped off his face again quickly when he remembered just where they were and what could happen if Sam’s parents saw them together like that.

He really needed to talk to Sam about that, but now wasn’t the time and he was too damned tired anyway. Besides, it would be just as bad if Sam’s parents overheard that conversation if they actually caught them kissing.

Dean nodded when Sam said he was going to bring him a washcloth and some water, though considering how he didn’t really want to get up any time soon maybe he’d skip the water for the time being. The bucket wasn’t a bad idea, though he was feeling a little less nauseous now that he wasn’t in the moving car anymore and laying down again.

“Ask me again after I’m doped up.” Dean answered. He knew he probably would get hungry eventually, considering he hadn’t had breakfast today yet either, but just not so much right now.

"Okay, Dopey," Sam said teasingly. "I'll be right back."

Sam retrieved the promised items, Keiko also sending in just a bowl of ice in case Dean would rather just have some ice to suck on to keep his mouth from drying out, but didn't want to actually drink water from fear of puking it right back up. She also put some saltines on a plate for Dean again, as something to nibble on that shouldn't upset his stomach. Sam set the stuff on the end table so it was within easy reach. After Sam wiped down Dean's face, he patted it dry with a towel. Just then, Sam's stomach rumbled loudly.

Giving Dean an embarrassed shrug he said, "I'm kinda hungry."

Sam's father walked in just then with a small beat up boom box. "Sammy said you and I have the same taste in music. I thought maybe you'd like to listen to some." He slipped in a mix tape of seventies hard rock and turned the volume low but didn't actually start the tape. "This is a bunch of my favorites that I listen to out in the garage. With your head hurting, I wasn't sure if you'd want any noise at all, but I thought I'd bring it in anyhow. Sam, your lunch is getting cold. Dean do you need anything else before I chase my son off to eat? Don't worry, he inhales better than the sweeper. He'll probably back in here in under ten minutes. Are you warm enough? Want me to close the drapes? Anything?"

“You’re Dopey.” Dean replied to the younger boy’s retreating back, his eyes following Sam till he was out of sight, then he sighed heavily.

Christ, he didn’t want to be here. Bobby could be such a stubborn ass sometimes. Ok, fine, he was having a little bit of trouble getting around today. But he would be better by tomorrow. At least he’d be able to make it to the bathroom and kitchen on his own if he needed to, he was sure. There was no reason why he couldn’t be home now instead of here.

Maybe he could convince Sam to have one of his parents take him home tomorrow, after he was sure Bobby was gone on the hunt. Bobby would rip him a new one if he showed up at home before the older hunter had gone. Hell, he’d probably rip him a new one when he got back, but at least by then he couldn’t send him back to the hospital or something.

Dean looked at the tray of stuff Sam brought back with a slightly raised eyebrow. Water, ice, and crackers… he said he wasn’t hungry, damn it. How hard was it to understand that? Though he couldn’t deny the cloth Sam wiped his face down with felt kind of good. Dean chuckled a little when he heard Sam’s stomach though he went quiet again when he heard Sam’s father walk into the room.

“I’m fine.” Dean answered both Sam’s father and the younger boy, giving Sam a nod.

"Don't hesitate to speak up," Jim said, as he chased Sam out of the room. He paused at the doorway and added. "I'll tack up a sheet over the door for you if you'd like. I'm sure you're used to privacy and this has to," Jim looked around and shrugged, "well, suck on more levels than I can probably imagine. Don't go straining yourself trying to get something, either. You've got three temporary servants that will cater to almost any whim."

Jim gave him a smile then headed out to the kitchen.

Settling at the table, the three said a quick grace then began eating.

"You and Dean really seem to have connected," Jim said.

Sam nodded and hurriedly swallowed. "He's…cool. Kinda got a short temper."

"Apparently longer than yours," Keiko observed.

Wincing, Sam protested, "Lancaster had it coming. You heard what I told the cops."

"And you should have told us from the beginning what was going on," Jim said, a sternness coming into his voice. "I understand, you were…embarrassed. I don't know what I would have done if someone had done that to me when I was your age."

"You'd have ended up in jail," Keiko said. "You kept that switchblade on you at all times."

Sam's eyes widened. "Dad?"

Jim cleared his throat. "Yes, well, I grew up in a rough neighborhood." He glared at Keiko who smiled sweetly at him.

"Your father was not always the yuppie he's turned into today. He did a lot of things in his misspent youth that would make your toes curl."

Jim gave a long suffering sigh. "You spent too much time talking with Chester."

"Chester?" Sam piped up.

"Yes, one of the guys I ran with. Mom insisted I get an education and my only option was the army. Chester, the idiot, joined up with me. God we nearly got booted half a dozen times, I swear. I was in Vietnam for six months when I got shot and sent home. Chester," Jim shook his head, "went career. I think he just liked bossing people around. He visited me in college a couple times and actually set me up on the blind date with your mother."

Keiko grinned at Sam mischievously. "I demanded to know everything about the guy my friend's boyfriend was setting me up with. I learned all sort of blackmail worthy material."

"Like what?" Sam asked around a mouthful of potatoes.

"Things you don't need to know about until you're older. Like seventy or something," Jim said, scowling at his wife.

"How come I've never met him?"

"Car accident. He died," Jim said simply. "Finish eating. I have a feeling your stubborn friend in there won't ask for help for anything."

"Probably not," Sam nodded and polished off his lunch quickly, but wished he could have gotten to hear more about his father's earlier life. He knew very little about either of his parents early lives, really. They both kept pretty tight lipped about things.

By the time he got back into Dean, Dean was already asleep. Sam picked a book off the shelf, settled into the recliner, and began to read.

Dean merely nodded but he frowned after the older man after he and Sam left. Temporary servants… yeah right. Like they actually wanted him here or something. Wanted something from him? Maybe. He just wasn't sure what yet.

Maybe they wanted to interrogate him about what was going on with Lancaster and Sam. He supposed that was understandable, given what had happened. Dean knew Sam hadn't told them the truth before, and he wasn't sure what Sam had told his parents now, so it was probably best he didn't say anything about it for more than one reason.

Maybe they just wanted to figure out how much of a scumbag he was. Just how much of a 'bad influence' he was on their darling Son… more than they knew. Maybe they suspected? He and Sam would have to be very careful in that case. The last thing Dean needed was to get slapped with a statutory rape charge. But more than that, he didn't want them to try to keep Sam and him apart. Since Dean wasn't all that certain he meant enough to Sam for the younger boy to want to defy his parents to see him… and Dean wanted to keep seeing Sam.

Now that he was laying here without any distractions Dean felt his thoughts starting to grow sluggish and his eyes heavy. Despite the pain he was in, his body was just too exhausted by everything to stay awake. Before he knew it he was asleep.

Just as Dean figured, almost as soon as his eyes closed the dreams started.

*

He wasn't safe.

He was three years old again. Small and defenseless in the dark house that should have been safe but it wasn't. His mommy was gone. His daddy was gone. But they weren't alone. The yellow eyed man. He was there. He was coming… he was coming… Dean tried to get out, to run, but there was nothing but darkness, smoke, and heat. He couldn't get out of the house. None of the doors opened. They were trapped. Sammy was crying… so loud… and he couldn't get out.

Sam hadn't much more than opened the book when he heard small sounds coming from Dean and he could tell Dean was having his nightmares again. He wondered if it was yellow eyes—Azazel—again. Pushing himself out of the chair he set the book on the end table as he went to Dean's side and took his head.

"Dean it's okay, I'm right here, I'm right here," he soothed, hoping to pull Dean out of his nightmare without actually waking him. "Sam's here. I'll keep you safe. Yellow-eyes can't get you. I won't let him." Sam crooned over and over to Dean but it didn't seem to help. Glancing at the doorway first, he turned back to Dean and planted a kiss on his lips. "You're safe," he said again. "Safe. It's Sam, right here. Safe." Still nothing. He shook Dean lightly. "C'mon, wake up Dean. You're okay. You're okay. Wake up."

Sam was beginning to get worried. How hard could it be to wake up someone from a nightmare? "Dean!" Sam said sharply. "Wake up! Come on!"

Hearing Sam's sharp voice had Keiko at the door almost immediately. "Sam?"

"He's having a nightmare. He won't wake up," Sam said, shaking Dean a little harder.

Keiko came in and gently took Sam's arm and pulled him aside. "Sweetheart, go up to your room and get that necklace, the one with the leather bag, the one I put on you when your nightmares are bad."

"But—"

"Do it," she snapped at him. It was probably just a nightmare. Dean was a hunter who had just gotten his ass kicked. She wasn't surprised he was having a nightmare she supposed. Maybe it was just a run of the mill nightmare, but when was anything run of the mill for hunters? She took the damp rag sitting near by and began wiping Dean's face down as she began singing softly in Japanese. She had no idea if it would comfort Dean as it did Sam, after all, she had been doing it for Sam ever since they had adopted him when he was eight months old. He had apparently been 'adopted' out twice before but had been a problem baby, always crying, having endless nightmares. What sort of parent would adopt a child and after not being able to calm their child just toss him back into the system? Admittedly it had taken them two months to get Sam to start acting like a normal baby and Keiko had had to resort to some old spells her family knew to soothe his dreams and protect him from his nightmares. He still had them, but they went from every time he closed his eyes to every night, to every week, to only occasionally.

When Sam returned, she draped the hex bag over Dean's neck and started the dream protection spell.

Sam started to tell her how embarrassed and angry Dean would be if he woke up and she was there because he knew Dean would be crying but he couldn't bring himself to interrupt. Sam could already see the tears spilling down Dean's cheeks. She motioned Sam to move on the bed beside Dean. She reached out and took Sam's hand and put it on Dean's, then gave Sam the indication to join her in the 'song' that she knew Sam knew by heart because she'd heard him sing it to himself sometimes at night when he was upset and was trying to get to sleep.

Blinking at her in momentary confusion—did she already know he and Dean were together, he wondered worriedly—he settled beside Dean and took his hand and after listening to where his mother was in the song, joined in. Dean's nightmare seemed to be easing finally, his breathes coming in less frantic gasps.

Keiko was torn. She knew the two boys had become close friends, but she didn't know if they would be awkward with each other if she left now. Should she send Sam away? Dean wasn't at all comfortable around her or her husband and this might only make it worse if Sam wasn't there and she was. Reluctantly she decided Dean would do better waking up with just Sam there. She motioned for Sam to keep singing as she rose gracefully to her feet.

"I'll embarrass him," she said softly. "Keep singing, Sam. If he doesn't wake up in just a minute, try to wake him again, even if the nightmare seems gone." She ran the cloth over Dean's face a final time, wiping away the tears, her heart clenching as it always did when Sam was like this. She ran a comforting hand along Dean's cheek and through his now sweat drenched locks. Leaving the room she stayed just outside the door, listening, making sure Dean was going to wake up. With the remnants of the concussion, if Dean didn't wake, they might have to take him back to the hospital.

Dean had run, and run, and finally hid. Squeezing himself into the little space under his parent’s bed where he sometimes hid when playing hide and seek with his daddy. Of course his daddy always found him and that thought was terrifying right now because what if the yellow eyed man found him too? But he didn’t know where else to go or where to hide. Though it probably didn’t matter. Sammy was still crying in his arms, hiccupping a little even as Dean tried to quiet him. Dean tried to be quiet as well but it was hard to stop himself from coughing because of the black smoke that hung in the air even underneath the bed.

In the back of his mind Dean knew it hadn’t happened like this. Sixteen years ago there’d been the fire, the smoke, and the yellow eyed man but Dean had managed to get out of the house. He’d managed to save Sammy even though his mom and dad had been killed in the fire. He knew this wasn’t real, just a dream… but at the same time it didn’t feel like a dream. It felt real.

The smoke felt real as it choked his lungs and made his eyes tear up. The heat from the fire all around them felt real, especially where it had burned him a few times when he’d tried to avoid it. The loud thumping footsteps growing closer sounded real… his fear hearing those steps was definitely real. Sounding like his father’s heavy steps but Dean knew it wasn’t his father.

Dean closed his eyes and hugged his crying baby brother close to him. He couldn’t let him get Sammy…

His heart hammered in his chest as he waited for the yellow eyed man to find them. To grab him and pull him from the ‘safety’ of his hiding place. To try to tear his baby brother out of his arms… but it didn’t happen. He kept waiting for it, fearing it was going to happen, but even as he waited he realized his frantic breaths were coming a little easier. The smoke cleared and the roar of the flames was not quite as loud… until they were finally gone.

It was then he heard something else. A soft sound… like music… humming… but he didn’t recognize the song. When Dean finally dared to open his eyes he found he was in his bed. It was dark but the nightlight was on, shining brightly, its protective glow comforting. The sound was coming from outside his room and while one part of him was terrified that if he moved the flames and the yellow eyed man would return, the music sounded so… peaceful.

Slowly he climbed out of bed and tiptoed to his baby brother’s room, where he realized the singing was coming from. Shoring up what little courage he had, Dean peaked around the door into the room, but there were no orange flames or blood as he’d feared there would be… just his mother holding baby Sammy in the rocking chair singing. She looked up at him and smiled, motioning him inside and while at first Dean hesitated he found himself obeying. Every step less and less fearful that the bad dream would return, until finally he climbed into his mother’s lap and she shifted so that he could hold baby Sammy too while she sung them both to sleep.

*

It was a little strange to go to sleep in a dream… and wake up, Dean decided. He wasn’t sure how much of his confusion was from the dream itself or the fact that when he opened his eyes he didn’t recognize where he was… or that he still heard singing. When Dean’s eyes fell on Sam they cleared a little slowly but it didn’t take long for him to remember where he was after that.

The fact that Sam had apparently been singing to him… ok that was a little on the weird side… was that Japanese? Probably something his mom had taught him then. The younger boy also looked worried as hell. Christ, the nightmare must have been bad enough Sam noticed it, which he supposed wasn’t all that surprising. Dean hoped he hadn’t started screaming in his sleep or anything.

Dean rubbed at his damp face and silently cursed.

“Sorry.” He finally mumbled softly.

When Dean's eyes slowly cracked open Sam could tell Dean was barely awake. Not wanting Dean to just fall asleep again and back into his nightmares, he kept up the singing until the young man's eyes finally began to clear and Sam stopped his song, knowing Dean was awake now, more or less. He couldn't believe the relief that filled practically every fiber in him. Dean was okay. When Dean apologized, Sam heaved a sigh and hugged Dean.

"'S'okay. I get bad nightmare too." He straightened and found tears on his own face which he hastily wiped away. "I was afraid you weren't going to…I tried to wake you up and I couldn't." Hesitantly he added, "Mom heard and came in. She had me get the dream bag." He lightly touched the leather bag around Dean's neck. "And she helped me start singing the dream song to you. She didn't want…she didn't want to embarrass you so she left."

Sam couldn't help himself and hugged Dean again. "I hate my nightmares. They suck. Mom's song always helps and makes them go away, makes me feel safe again." He released Dean. "Course the last thing I want to do is go back to sleep even with her song and the dream bag." He took the damp wash cloth and wiped Dean's neck and chest down a little, then wiped the sweat off Dean's forehead and face as he continued to talk. "I could get a game. Yahtzee or scrabble or cards or something." He leaned in and whispered, "But no strip poker because that would just be awkward if my parents came in." He grinned at Dean. "We could do playstation or I could put in a movie. We've got Star Wars or The Princess Bride, or Robin Hood. My dad likes Clint Eastwood so we have a bunch of his westerns. Got some Bruce Lee movies and some monster movies. Mom likes the classic monster movies. They usually make her laugh. I've got a couple Star Trek episodes too. Anything sound good?"

Dean was a bit surprised by the unexpected hug, but he couldn’t say it was unwelcome. In fact it was just the opposite. Even though it embarrassed the hell out of him that he could still be reduced to fucking tears every time he had one of these nightmares, Dean couldn’t deny that he needed this. When Bobby had first held him after one of his nightmares, promising him that he was safe, it was the first time Dean had really believed it. Sometimes the older man still hugged him after a particularly bad nightmare and it made him feel just as safe as it did then. Oddly enough, Dean felt safe now… in Sam’s arms. Which was kind of weird, all things considered, because wasn’t he supposed to be keeping Sam safe not the other way around?

The older boy sighed and slipped his arms loosely around Sam’s waist, probably the only reason he didn’t hold onto the younger boy tighter was because he was so fucking bruised up. Almost reluctantly he let Sam pull away when he did and nodded a little when Sam mentioned his own nightmares. Yeah, if anyone would understand it was Sam. If Sam’s nightmares were as bad as his… about yellow eyes.

A slight chill ran down Dean’s spine remembering the discussion he and Sam had at lunch before he’d been hit by the car. It couldn’t be a coincidence, could it? That they both had horrible dreams about yellow eyes… or maybe it was. A lot of monsters in movies had yellow eyes, it wasn’t unique or anything. Sam couldn’t possibly be dreaming about the same demon… not a real one anyway… Dean’s mind was just going to weird places because he was exhausted and freaked out. It didn’t mean anything…

Seeing Sam wipe away his own tears as he explained how he’d tried to wake him up made Dean’s heart clench a little. Damn. He’d really freaked Sam out. Dean started to apologize again, when Sam started talking about the ‘dream bag’ and his attention turned to the little leather pouch resting against his chest. Sam’s mom had seen his nightmare too? Just fucking great… but what the hell was this thing? It looked like a hex bag and the ‘song’ that Sam had been singing…

Magic? Was Sam’s mom some kind of witch or something? But if she was surely she would know what the bow was she had… and the protection symbols they had all over Bobby’s house, not to mention the books… Dean really wished that he’d learned more Japanese now, but Latin had been bad enough. Maybe he could get Sam to repeat the ‘song’ to Bobby and the older hunter would know what it meant. Though the spell, if that’s what it was, had seemed to help his dream… Dean just didn’t trust magic in general.

Dean was pulled out of his thoughts when Sam hugged him again, and Dean gave the younger boy another gentle squeeze before he let him go again. Offering the younger boy as reassuring a smile he could manage. Sam was definitely right about one thing, going back to sleep, was about the last thing on his mind even as exhausted as he still was. Hell, he couldn’t have been asleep for more than ten minutes or so. But he didn’t want to fall back into that dream, it had been one of the worst he’d had in a while… not surprising.

A game might have been a good distraction, but Dean knew he’d never be able to concentrate enough to play it. Dean couldn’t help but chuckle softly when Sam said no strip poker. Yeah, it wouldn’t have been very fun anyway, since Dean would probably lose. A movie sounded pretty good though. Something he didn’t have to concentrate too much on, but would probably still keep him awake. Dean usually enjoyed watching classic monster movies a lot, they made him laugh and Bobby just rolled his eyes. He could use a laugh right about now… though his side might protest, so maybe not.

“Star Wars?” Dean finally answered, since it was the first thing Sam had mentioned.

"Star Wars it is," Sam said grinning. He eased himself off the bed so as not to jostle Dean. "Be right back!"

Sam strode out of the den. "Hey, Dad, we want to watch a couple movies. Can you help me with the VCR?"

"Yes, just a minute," he called back to his son. Sam poked his head in the living room and saw his father was on the phone and winced. His dad was probably dealing with something at work. A moment or two of listening, his suspicion was confirmed. As soon as his father got off the phone, the two moved the entertainment center away from the wall. Sam squirmed behind it and unplugged equipment then began unhooking the VCR.

"You're not in trouble or anything because of me are you Dad?"

Jim laughed but there was frustration in his tone. "Nothing for you to worry about."

"Dad?" Sam said, pausing.

The man sighed. "We lost an account. I'd landed a big account soon after you started school. Been working my ass off on it. They decided today to go elsewhere, said they weren't happy with my work. Probably wrecks my shot at that promotion."

"That sucks….Think is has anything to do with…Lancaster?" Sam asked as he reconnected all the cables and shoved the VCR's plug through the hole in the back of the entertainment center.

After a moment of silence Jim said, "Yes. I think he's the reason I got the account in the first place. I would guess they pulled out since you and he are no longer 'friends' and after what happened today."

"I screw up good when I screw up," Sam said. "I'm sorry."

Jim pulled the VCR off the shelf, carefully gathering the cables. "I'm glad to be rid of the account, honestly. The company was going to start sending me on business travel and I was already putting in a lot of extra time because of it. If things kept up the way they were headed, I wouldn't have been home in the evenings or weekends most of the time. And you and your mom are more important than work."

Sam crawled out and they moved the entertainment center back up against the wall. "You think maybe that was so you wouldn't be around for me?"

Shrugging, Jim said, "A few weeks ago I would have said you were being ridiculous. Now…now I don't know. Don't worry about it, Sam. Even if I lose the promotion, I'm not losing my job."

"The Lancasters have a lot of power though. You know they do," Sam said as he grabbed a couple movies from the shelf.

Jim gave him a smile. "Don't you underestimate a poor boy from the wrong side of the tracks. If I have to, I'll just call up one of my sniper buddies from the army."

Sam gaped at his father.

"I'm joking Sammy," Jim said rolling his eyes. "I know we've tried to always keep you safe but we never meant to keep you naïve," he said as he walked into the den with the VCR.

"I'm not naïve!" Sam protested, glancing briefly at Dean as he helped his father get the VCR hooked up.

Snorting Jim shook his head and leaned in close to Sam, whispering. "Then don't hide your porn magazines where your mother can find them. Try someplace other than beneath the mattress next time."

Eyes wide in horror, Sam felt the blush practically explode on his face. "Daran gave those to me! Mom," he squeaked, "found them?"

Jim plugged in the VCR and slapped Sam on the shoulder, laughing at his son's embarrassment. "Yes. I'll leave you boys to your movies."

After giving a nod to Dean, Sam's father left the room, still chuckling.

Focusing on the TV and VCR, Sam fumbled with the tape and finally got it in and started. Taking a deep breath he turned back to face Dean. His face didn't feel quite so red at this point. He grabbed one of the cushions from the sofa and got on the bed beside Dean, using the cushion to lean up against. "Parents," he muttered, "can be a pain."

Dean nodded and watched Sam leave the room, sighing softly once the younger boy was out of sight. He really hoped that Bobby took care of his car and got here with his prescription soon. At the same time, the pills would probably put him right back to sleep once he took them, so maybe that wouldn’t be a good thing in the long run.

He glanced back down at the hex bag, since he was pretty sure that’s exactly what it was, that was around his neck. After a moment Dean carefully removed it and tossed it over on the side table, eyeing it distrustfully. If Bobby didn’t have the damn werewolf hunt to worry about he probably would have discretely asked the older man to find out just what was in that bag. Maybe Dean would swipe it when he left and show it to the older hunter after Bobby got back from the hunt.

Dean’s eyes began getting heavy again even before Sam was gone five minutes and he silently cursed. He shouldn’t be having this hard of a time just staying awake, god damn it.

He heard Sam’s father’s voice approach before he heard Sam and Dean raised an eyebrow a bit catching only half the conversation… though he certainly didn’t miss the younger boy’s rather loud protest. Dean snorted softly at that, and couldn’t help but laugh seeing the bright flush and look of absolute horror that crossed the younger boy’s face. Damn, he really wished he knew what Sam’s dad had whispered to the younger boy. Sam looked like he was about to burst into flames.

Dean was still grinning in amusement when Sam finished setting up the VCR and came back over to lay next to him.

“Yeah… but you’re cute when you blush.” Dean replied, winking at Sam.

Dean's comment brought the blush straight back to Sam face and Sam thumped him lightly in the arm, not wanting to jar him but still wanting to thump him. "Jerk. You are too, you know," he harrumphed. Looking down, he realized he was still in the school uniform except for the blazer that was out in the living room.

"I'll be right back," Sam said and got off the bed. He to his room, stripping off his shirt as he went. He slid off his pants and jumped into sweats, pulling on the t-shift on his way back to the den. He resettled next to Dean.

"There. Much better," Sam said contentedly. He slid his hand into Dean's and squeezed it lightly as Princess Leia loaded R2D2 with her message.

Dean chuckled as Sam started turning bright red again and only grinned more when Sam hit him lightly on the arm. He had a feeling if he wasn’t laid up, Sam would have hit him a lot harder.

When Sam got up again suddenly after just settling down Dean raised an eyebrow. The movie was starting though so at least he had that to focus on while the younger boy was away. When Sam finally returned Dean had to admit he approved of the change. Dean nodded in agreement.

“Much better.” Dean said.

When Sam took his hand Dean smiled a little and gave the younger boy’s hand a slight squeeze.

After they were watching the movie for a while he realized he had started tracing the inside of Sam’s wrist with his fingers. He hadn’t even realized he’d been doing it, but once he did he didn’t stop.

Sam was enjoying the movie; he hadn't seen it in awhile. His mom didn't really like sci-fi, but his dad did, so it was usually a father-son thing when his mom was doing something else that evening and his dad wasn't busy with work or something. Family movie night hadn't happened in awhile and he kind of missed it, though they still tried to play games once a week. Sam was drawn out of the movie, a little surprised when he felt Dean's fingers drifting over his wrist. Glancing at Dean from the corner of his eye he got the impression Dean wasn't really thinking about what he was doing and that made him smile. If Dean wasn't hurt Sam suspected he would encourage more, though if Dean wasn't hurt, Dean's hand wouldn't just be caressing his wrist he'd bet. They probably wouldn't be watching much of the movie, either.

Since there was no door and his parents were just a few rooms away, Sam decided it was probably best he didn't encourage anything more. Being in the basement while his parents were outside was one thing. Them in the next room…no, he didn't want to get caught making out with Dean, and he especially didn't want them finding out he and Dean were together by walking in on them.

Although he was able to enjoy the light caresses for what they were, his body was taking a little more hopeful interest. He also couldn't deny enjoying laying next to Dean. He found himself moving a little closer to Dean though he would vehemently deny they were doing anything like snuggling. Snuggling meant an arm over a shoulder or around a waist and a head on a shoulder or resting against a chest. He shifted and lightly pressed his thigh against Dean.

When Dean felt Sam shift closer to him, felt the brush of the younger boy’s thigh against his own, he smiled. Turning his attention away from the movie, not like he hadn’t seen it a hundred times before anyway, and fully on Sam. Besides, Dean hadn’t had a crush on Princess Leia since he was thirteen anyway.

Though Sam’s eyes were focused on the screen, he didn’t seem all that engrossed with the movie either. Dean smiled to himself. How often did he take the time to just look at Sam? Sure, he’d done plenty of admiring but he was often distracted from just looking at the younger boy by the desire to touch and kiss him.

Not that Dean didn’t want that now, to make out with the younger boy, but given the fact that Sam’s parents could walk in on them any second and that he was too damned sore to do much anyway. Yeah, wasn’t going to happen.

Still, Dean’s hand kind of had a mind of its own he found as it shifted from the younger boy’s wrist down to rest on Sam’s thigh instead. Well… at least the blanket kind of hid what he was doing when he started caressing Sam’s thigh lightly instead.

Sam gave Dean a sidelong glance when he felt Dean's hand on his thigh, and found himself staring into almost mischievous green eyes.

"You are so going to get us caught," Sam scolded him softly. He squeezed high on Dean's inner thigh once, and leaned in and gave Dean a quick kiss that included a swipe of his tongue across Dean's lips. Using the kiss as a distraction he laced his fingers with Dean's hand that had been on his thigh before Dean could retaliate in kind. He sat back, a smug smirk on his lips. "So behave."

The look Sam gave him had Dean smirking in spite of himself.

Then Sam’s hand was sliding against his inner thigh, giving the muscle there a squeeze which seemed to go straight to his cock, and despite the fact that he felt like hammered shit, his dick twitched a little in interest. Damn it. It just wasn’t fair how much control this boy had over him, really. Talk about wrapped around his little finger. If Sam gave him the right look, or just one touch, the younger boy had him practically begging for more.

Dean couldn’t help but wonder if Sam knew that as the younger boy leaned in to kiss him, the soft moan that escaped his lips becoming lost between them. If Sam did… then Dean was definitely in trouble. If the younger boy didn’t, well, it probably wouldn’t take long for him to figure it out…

Judging by the look on Sam’s face, Sam already knew it. Damn…

“I am behaving.” Dean protested mildly. An evil idea coming to mind, Dean let his voice drop an octave and whispered, “If I wasn’t behaving, I would be sliding my hand up your thigh to caress your dick, playing with it through your sweats, feeling it get harder and heavier with every stroke, every squeeze. Teasing you till you were rock hard and started leaking, until you were squirming and begging for more and then I would slip my hand under the waist band and touch your cock…”

Sam was rather pleased with him. Hah.

Then Dean started talking dirty.

He had never had anyone say things to him like that, in that way, giving him that look. Okay, the shits Lancaster sicced on him did not count because that was violent talk, intimidation and scare tactics. Dean's voice was nothing like theirs. His was velvet smooth and Sam's mind immediately flashed to exactly the things Dean had done before. How his hand had felt rubbing him, touching him, bringing him hard, how Dean's mouth, which his gaze was now on, had been on his cock. How those lips had wrapped around his shaft, how his tongue had toyed with Sam's slit, wrapped around his cock, licked him and sucked on him. How his cock had leaked and pulsed as Dean sent him careening over the edge both in his dreams and in reality.

Oh crap. His cock was definitely beginning to get its hopes up.

"Okay, okay! You win!" Sam said, blushing. "Behave yourself behaving yourself!"

Dean could tell that what he was doing was having exactly the effect that he wanted it to have. Sam definitely wasn’t paying attention to the movie anymore. In fact, the younger boy seemed entranced and he could practically see the heat building in Sam’s eyes. The effect he was having on the younger boy was obvious, as though Dean really was touching Sam exactly as he described. Dean had always thought things like phone sex and talking dirty was a little silly, and while he still believe in no way it could compare to the real thing, the younger boy’s reactions just to his voice…. Ok this was kind of hot.

Then Sam blushed impressively and declared that he had ‘won’ and Dean couldn’t help but laugh loudly. Sure it hurt a bit, but he couldn’t help it. Sam was just so damned cute when he was flustered and aroused at the same time.

When Sam ordered him once again to behave himself, Dean decided that was probably a good idea. But he couldn’t help but tease the younger boy one last time first.

“But I haven’t even gotten to the good part yet.” Dean said grinning.

Sam slapped him on the arm. "And you better not!" Sam said. Okay Dean was just too fucking pleased with himself. And he had every right to be, Sam realized. They were just words but…just words, he firmly told his cock, threatening it with an ice pack if it didn't cool it.

"You are such a…a nerf-herder!" Sam said, calling Dean what Princess Leia had called Han Solo. "I'm not sure what one is, but I'm sure you are one," Sam harrumphed.

The sound of an engine out front had Sam twisting his head toward the window. It sounded like a truck. Probably Bobby's tow truck. "Saved by Bobby," Sam breathed and gave Dean a mock glare. He flicked back the blanket, tossing it over Dean's head as he slipped off the bed, paused the tape, and headed out to meet Bobby at the door.

"Bobby's here," he called to his parents. He heard his father on the phone again in the living room, but his mother looked up from the dining room table where she had her laptop set up. Sam opened the door before Bobby cold even knock. He saw the Impala was already hooked up. At least it looked like no one had messed with it.

"Hi, Bobby," Sam greeting Bobby, ushering him in. "Dean's in the den."

Bobby gave a slight bow to Keiko. She gave him a nod back. She'd speak with him before he left, but he knew bobby would need to talk with Dean in private, about the gun if nothing else. "Sam, I want to show you a few more pictures I took for that project of yours. Why do you show Bobby to Dean then come back and join me for a minute."

"Yes, ma'am," Sam said, pleased his mother had gotten some more pictures. Maybe he could finish the portfolio up this weekend and give it to Dean. That might cheer him up.

Sam led Bobby to Dean, then headed back out to his mom.

Dean merely snorted when Sam smacked his arm and outright laughed again when the younger boy called him a Nerf Herder. Sam was such a geek… but Sam was his geek. That thought made him smile as he watched the younger boy fondly as Sam tried to look unaffected by the naughty things Dean had been whispering to him, and for the most part failing.

He heard the sound of Bobby’s truck the same time that Sam did, recognizing the sound of the engine immediately.

“Hey. I resent that.” Dean ‘complained’ when Sam said he was ‘saved by Bobby’. Like Sam hadn’t enjoyed it… the younger boy could pretend all he wanted to, but Dean knew he’d turned Sam on something fierce with his dirty talk. Dean was going to have to remember that the next time they were making out.

Though Dean was glad that Bobby was here, that meant the older man had brought his pain medication which he still desperately needed even though Sam had done a good job of distracting him. Before long Sam was letting the older hunter inside and Dean gave a slight nod to Bobby when he saw him.

“Hey, Bobby.”

"Well don't you look all comfy," Bobby said, taking in Dean propped up in the pull out bed. The playstation and VCR sat by the TV and he could see the empty cardboard case of "Star Wars" sitting on the TV. He marveled a moment at how bright and cheery the place looked, the light shining through the window. He never really considered his place dark and dreary but in comparison, it was and he felt kinda bad about that. Maybe he oughtta pick things up a bit, let some light in. Yeah and let anything outside see what was inside...still, maybe his place could use a little something. His dead wife would probably be horrified to see the house in the condition it was in, and really, maybe Dean could use a place a little less dark and dismal. Maybe he oughtta think about slapping a few coats of paint in the place, and replacing the threadbare rugs. If Sam was gonna be coming over everyday, maybe he could get Sam to sort and straighten up his books a bit, dust a bit. Not like he didn't sweep or dust or nothing, it just, well, might be nice to freshen up the house before winter set in.

Turning his gaze back to Dean he could plainly see the pain in those green eyes. He brought Dean's duffel over and set it on the bed, immediately opening it and pulling out the pain medication and handing the two bottles to Dean. "This is what you still had left and I went ahead and filled the new prescription, just in case," he said, setting the new medication still in the bag on end table.

Bobby extracted a small leather bag. "Razor, soap, toothbrush, deodorant, and stuff's in here. Brought you a couple t-shirts cause I figure in a day or two that's what you'll want, even if you shouldn't be stretching like that to get into 'em. A couple short sleeved button up work shirts and a couple flannels. One pair of sweats for sleepin' in and a couple jeans, socks and stuff." His voice dropped then. "The secret pocket in your bag has your 9-mm in it with a full clip, alternating silver and iron rounds. Keiko said you could have it, but not to tell Sam, and the safety stays on. Sam finds out and she'll probably have both our hides. Yer hunting knife is down in the other side pocket. She's knows we're hunters and she doesn't want Sam to know about that neither."

Dean gave Bobby a dirty look when the older hunter commented on how ‘comfy’ he looked. He was still pretty pissed at the man. The older man knew good god damned well he hadn’t wanted to come here, that Bobby had given him no choice really. He would have been a hell of a lot ‘comfier’ on the couch at home, probably wouldn’t have had a nightmare either the first time he closed his eyes because he was feeling like a sitting duck laying here, if Bobby would have just let him come home. If he got any sleep at all the entire time he was here it would be a fucking miracle probably.

There was no point in getting into another argument with Bobby now however, the older man had made up his mind to leave him here. Dean would just have to find a way to get home once Bobby had left on the hunt, plain and simple.

“Thanks.” Dean muttered as he gratefully took the pain medication the older hunter dug out of the bag for him, and immediately opened up the bottles and dry swallowed his dosage. He was really tempted to take a little more than normal considering how much he fucking hurt but decided to wait. If it turned out he needed more he’d take a little more sometime later. Bobby would shit a brick if he risked an overdose or something by taking too much at one time.

Though when Bobby started listing off all the stuff he’d brought with him, Dean couldn’t help but cock an eyebrow. Christ, he was only staying here for a couple of days not a week or more. Yet when the older hunter told him that he’d brought him his gun after all… and that he’d apparently asked permission first, Sam’s mother said yes, and she knew about hunting, both of Dean’s eyebrow’s climbed. He’d had no intention of ever telling Sam he was a hunter… but… What the fuck?!

Dean frowned suddenly, his eyes darting to the ‘dream bag’ that he’d had around his neck when he woke up. He wasn’t going to tell Bobby, not now at least, but given the way circumstances had just drastically changed… Before what Bobby had just told him he could kind of make himself believe that what had happened was some kind of weird family tradition or something, but now…

“She cast a spell on me when I was sleeping. Sam was ‘singing’ it when I woke up, apparently she was too, but she left before I woke up. I don’t know what it was, it was in Japanese, and that thing was around my neck. Sam called it a dream bag.” Dean said, now looking at the bag like it was a snake ready to bite him.

Bobby frowned at Dean's news and reached over to pick up the bag. He hadn't gotten the sense of any ill will from Keiko, but people could put up good facades. She knew about hunters, but evil things being hunted often did. Permitting Sam to stay with them gave Sam access to an in depth library to the supernatural. So much ran in her favor though. The hunter's bow that was obviously meant for killing evil and she kept it, treasured it and honored it. She understood Dean's need to feel protected and permitted a young man that was still really almost a stranger to her to bring a gun in house.

Carefully opening the leather bag he pushed around the items inside, looking at each one. A piece of coral, anise seeds, spider silk, iron shavings, herbs that he thought were betony, mint, and mugwort, a small silver disc engraved with the image of a katana, a citrine bead, black volcanic glass, and a small piece of malachite were all contained in the bag. He re-tightened the leather thong keeping it sealed and studied the faint Japanese writing etched on the bag. "It's a conjure bag, a hex bag of sorts. From what's in it, I'd guess it's protection from nightmares and evil spirits. The 'song' was probably entreaties to her ancestors to protect you and draw you out of yer nightmare. Coulda been a spell too, like an exorcism of yer nightmares. Nothing in there dark, Dean. Silver, iron, herbs, crystals. The symbols on the bag are written in silver ink, and though they're pretty faded, say things like protection, courage, fearlessness, and the gold dragon." He pressed the bag into Dean's hand. "Protection, not harm. She told me Sam had nightmares when he was a baby and still has night terrors. I imagine she made it up for him."

Dean watched as Bobby carefully opened the hex bag and looked inside it, examining its contents. From the older hunter’s expression he didn’t seem to see anything in there that was alarming, but Dean didn’t relax until Bobby confirmed its contents were harmless. Still, a slight frown marred the young man’s features when Bobby pressed the bag into his hand. Harmless or not he definitely didn’t like the idea of someone doing spells on him when he was sleeping.

Bobby was probably right… though he was a little surprised that Bobby knew that Sam had bad dreams too. Sam had said that the bag and the song his mother sang always helped his nightmares and made him feel safe. Whatever else Sam’s mother might be… Dean honestly didn’t think she would try to harm her own son, so Dean finally nodded.

“Thanks, Bobby… You’re leaving now, I guess?” Dean finally asked, looking up at the older man.

Bobby could see the worry in the young man's eyes. He knew he would feel the same the first time Dean went off on a hunt without him. That thought by itself kind of chilled his bones. After a moment, Bobby sat down next to Dean.

"Now stop yer fretting boy. It takes two hunters to make up for one of you. Both Tim and his wife are coming along. I know yer worried and I know you were lookin' forward to this hunt. I know you don't want to be here in this house havin' the Colts lookin' after you. It's gotta be this way. There'll be other hunts. I'll be fine. Faced down my share of wolves before, this ain't my first rodeo. I don't wanna be distracted, worrying that you've taken a fall, bleeding all over my fancy wood floors, with no one there but a slobbery old dog to help you. Rumsfeld, he's a smart ol' hound but I still ain't taught him to dial 911. With you here I know you got yer Sam to take care of you so I know I don't have to worry about you. I should be back Sunday night if everything goes the way it should. I'll call you every afternoon and update you so you know what's happening.

"Son, I'm going to trust that you'll stay here like I'm asking. I'm going to ask you to be polite to the Colts. I know this life ain't yer cup o' tea. I don't know if maybe this place reminds you too much of some the places and people you grew up and that's what upsets you so fiercely but you only gotta be here until Sunday. If I'm getting in on Sunday after eleven, I'll swing by at six thirty or seven the next morning to pick you up. Don't wanna wake you up, don't wanna wake the Colts up Sunday night if I'm in too late. We'll figure it out Sunday when I call, when I know when I'll be in. I know you can be a real pain in the ass when you want to be. I also know you can charm the scales offen a snake if you wanna. Try to be the charmer this weekend no matter what. For both me and Sam."

Bobby gripped Dean's shoulder. "You rest and get yourself better. I 'xpect you to be ready for whatever hunt comes up next. And you are gonna need to be at your best to fend off that ass Lancaster and protect Sam. We under estimated him. We can't afford to a second time.

"I'm getting your car home, locked up tight, then get on the road. Gonna drive about half way there tonight and finish the drive in the morning. I'll call you when I check into whatever motel I end up at." He gave Dean's cheek the lightest of slaps. "Get better and behave yerself. I'll talk to you tomorrow." Pushing himself to his feet he gave Dean a smirk and added softly, "and for God's sake, boy, don't let the Colts catch you and Sam making out."

Bobby really knew him too damned well.

The older man was right though. Dean hated the idea of Bobby going after that werewolf without him, even though the young hunter knew he was in no fucking shape to go on a hunt. Just another reason to beat that son of a bitch Eric to within an inch of his life the next time he saw the fucker. He worried about Bobby... even though Dean knew there were going to be two good hunters watching the older man’s back. Yeah, he knew that Bobby had taken out werewolves before, the older man was one of the best hunters there was, but still...

Dean was a bit surprised when Bobby told him that Jeff’s mom and dad were the ones going with Bobby on the hunt. He’d thought that Jeff and his dad Tim were going to go on the hunt with Bobby, but apparently the young hunter was going to be staying here. Dean wondered if the change had to do with what had happened today with Eric... probably... Jeff probably wasn’t too happy then either.

The young hunter couldn’t help but frown as Bobby went on to lay on a pretty heavy guilt trip... damn it... the older man really did know him too fucking well. He knew the last thing Bobby needed on a hunt was a distraction, and he certainly didn’t want the older hunter to be worrying about him...

“Fine.” Dean finally muttered. Yeah, he’d do what Bobby asked... but the older man better be by Sunday, Monday morning at the latest, to pick him up like he promised. He’d even... try to be nice... for Sam and Bobby’s sake. Though if Sam’s mom did any other spells on him without his permission there was going to be a problem.

Bobby was right, he often was, damn him. They’d underestimated Lancaster. He wouldn’t again.

“I will.” Dean replied when the older man repeated that he rest and rolled his eyes at the older man’s order not to let the Colt’s catch him and Sam making out. Well, Bobby hadn’t said not to make out, he’d just said not to get caught. Dean had no intention of getting caught.

“Be careful.” The young man said, even though he knew it wasn’t necessary, Bobby was always careful.

Bobby gave a nod. "I will," then head out to talk with Keiko. Sam waved him over to the computer.

"Mom got more pictures of Dean's cars," he whispered. "Aren't they neat?"

Bobby looked down at the pictures on the computer and raised an eyebrow. She was a good photographer. "They look impressive, Keiko. Sam, lemme speak with your mom a few minutes. And you better get back in with Dean. With his pain medication, he'll be out pretty fast and I'm sure he'll feel better with you there."

"Yeah he had a bad nightmare. I couldn't wake him up. It took the dream-song to get him to wake up." Sam pushed up from the table, grabbed a Coke for himself from the fridge, and headed back to the den.

Bobby looked down at the petite oriental. "Dream-song?"

She sighed. "It's an elemental invocation to soothe the mind of those supernaturally touched. Completely harmless. It's kind of a verbal dreamcatcher, and the bag gives the magic a focal point and acts kind of like a drawing salve, pulling out the dark and turning the frightening dream into pleasant dreams before one rouses." She pulled out a piece of paper and wrote it out in Japanese. "Loses something in the translation to English and since you can read Japanese, it's something you can put in your hunter's journal. And the conjure bag," she quickly wrote down its contents and the ritual used to make it. "Nothing ominous. Had to substitute an herb or two for its American counterpart, but they're just as effective. I used to have to revitalize it once every couple weeks in the beginning. Actually in the beginning I had to make a couple more, Sam simply burned them out. Now once every six months, hanging it out in the sun and fresh air will due the trick."

"So are you a hunter. Or witch."

"Hunter. Was, in my youth. Once married, the women typically stop hunting. I've three brothers to carry on the tradition and five uncles back in Japan. I haven't hunted in about twenty years now. The women become the caretakers of the family knowledge. The children of the men carry on hunting, the children of the women do not unless there is no other choice. Sam has many cousins, so he is free of the burden."

"And the bow?"

She smiled thinly. "In this day of guns, bows are infrequently used and difficult to hide, relatively speaking. And who would take such an ornate bow deer hunting? Hence it has been relegated to 'family knowledge' and I am its caretaker."

"So you were full of it when you claimed you didn't know what it said."

She laughed softly. "I was honestly surprised you could read it. My ancestor was the Gold Dragon. He was a famous samurai and hunter. The bow actually says "Teeth of the Golden Dragon" and it does have a name, while his swords are the Claws of the Golden Dragon each with their own name. My brothers have those and still hunt. The bow is capable of bringing down most any supernatural creature if the special arrows are used. Otherwise, it is simply a bow of true aim."

"And you can make these arrows?"

"Or course, but as with the bow, they haven't their full potency unless used together."

"I would be very interested in learning how to make those arrows," Bobby said.

"I'm sure you would," Keiko said. "They are for descendants of the Golden Dragon alone." She gave him a small smile. "Besides they require blood of his descendants, so you couldn't anyhow."

Bobby looked a little disappointed. He would still be interested in the methodology and might try to work it out of her. "You would ease Dean's mind a lot if he knew you were a hunter."

"I'd rather earn his respect on my own merits. I'm not a hunter any longer."

Bobby shrugged but shook his head. "Once a hunter, always a hunter."

"Family is where my duty lies, Bobby. If I spy something unusual, I pass it along and the tip finds its way to other hunters."

Bobby gave a bow. "No offense meant. I'd best get going. A lot to get done before the sun sets."

"Safe trip," she said and saw him to the door.

*
Sam returned to the den and turned the tape back on before settling beside Dean and taking a sip of his Coke. He couldn't be certain if Dean seemed more tense or not. Bobby was just taking a trip. What had Dean worried? Maybe he was afraid more nightmares would hit him while he was there. It was then he noticed the dream-pouch was laying on the end table.

"The dream-pouch will help keep your nightmares away. It doesn't always work but it seems to help," Sam said, taking Dean's hand.

Dean looked over when he heard the sound at the doorway and offered Sam a tired smile. With Sam here and the fact that Bobby hadn’t left yet, it probably meant the hunter and Sam’s mother were talking about stuff they didn’t want the younger boy to overhear. He hoped Bobby was telling her not to cast any more god damned spells on him. Even if what she’d done had been… helpful… that wasn’t the point. ‘Good’ magic or not, it had been done without his consent.

He’d thrown the ‘dream bag’ back on the end table after Bobby had left. When Sam mentioned it he glanced over at it. No longer eyeing it distrustfully, but still with distaste.

“I’ll be fine, Sam. Don’t worry.” Dean said, giving the younger boy’s hand a slight squeeze before turning his eyes back to the movie. The painkillers were definitely starting to work as his eyelids began to grow heavy again despite his efforts to keep his eyes open. At least the pain was starting to ease up as well.

Hopefully the painkillers would put him out deep enough that he wouldn’t dream.

"Of course I'm going to worry," Sam said. "Nightmares suck out loud. But I'm right here if you need me."

He scooted a little closer to Dean and focused on the movie, but he soon felt Dean's hand grow limp in his own. He reached across and grabbed the dream bag and carefully laid it around Dean's neck. He figured Dean wouldn't be real thrilled since it was obvious he didn't want to wear it—maybe it made him feel silly—but Sam really believed it helped.

Turning down the movie he let it play out, and then just laid beside Dean, studying his face, occasionally gently running his fingers along Dean's face, as if memorizing what he looked like with his fingers. He looked innocent in his sleep, even with the bruises discoloring the flesh around his temple. He was beautiful Sam decided, even if it was a girly description, it fit. He finally gave Dean a kiss on his cheek and slipped out of the bed. After hitting the restroom, he saw his father had fallen asleep with the newspaper in his lap. His mom was still working on the computer.

"Hi."

She smiled at him. "How's Dean doing?"

"Asleep. I put the dream-bag back on him. He took it off earlier. It'll keep his nightmares away right?"

"No promises Sam. But it should help. If he doesn't want it on, you shouldn't make him wear it though," she scolded him gently. "He strikes me as being very particular about such things."

"I'll take it off of him when I go back in. I just wanted it on him while I'm out here. When's dinner?"

"A few more hours. It's in the crock pot cooking and the bread machine is going. No snacking unless you want an apple."

Sam pouted, then laughed at her stern look. "Oh okay. Is it all right if I sleep with Dean?" Realizing what he said and how it sounded made him blush brightly. "I mean in the den, not with Dean," he stuttered.

She laughed at his embarrassment. "Yes, I imagine Dean would have something to say about that."

Like, oh hell yeah, Sam thought and blushed brighter. "Yeah, I think he would," Sam agreed.

"I don't see why not. It will probably make him feel a little more comfortable with you
there."

"Okay." He pushed himself to his feet. "Lemme know if you need help with dinner or anything."

"I will."

Sam returned to the den and picked up his book. He looked at the recliner, then at the bed and decided to settle in the bed so Dean would know he was there. He took the dream bag off Dean, recalling what his mom had said, then opened his book.