John killed the truck's engine, watching as the Impala slid between him and old blue ford on the other side. Bobby had of course refused to ride with the old hunter, taking up Dean's offer instead and probably for the better. They were all tiered from the poltergeist and right now all they needed was a beer and maybe something stronger. Hence the parking right outside a small town bar.

It was near the university campus which was right next to the town they'd been hunting in, and frankly none of them seem ready to go to bed unless it was under the influence of vast quantities of alcohol. The place wasn't exactly crawling with students since it was a Wednesday but it wasn't deserted. Dean seemed a little let down at the lack of females present but then made up his mind that he was too tired to go out. They all slumped at the bar, the youngest separating the two older hunters.

"What can I get you?"

The three men looked up from the counter to the tall male bartender. He had hazel coloured eyes one of which was covered by the long bangs of brown hair. His smile seemed to falter slightly when they all looked at him but Dean must have been imagining things because the smile was already back.

"Three beers," John said as he leaned heavily on the counter "to begin with anyway."

Dean and Bobby watched as the young man snapped open the beers before placing them in front of the hunters. He was tall, maybe around 6 ft. 4, which placed him higher than Dean, and his muscular arms where covered with a light flannel shirt atop a t-shirt. His eyes were a mixture of hazel and a deep green, set in a gentle almond-shaped eye.

Dean couldn't help but wonder if Sam was still with them, if he'd look like that. If he did then Dean was sure that all the girls (maybe even boys) would swoon over him, perhaps not as much as Dean but from what he remembered Sam had always been shy. A quick glance at Bobby told him that they were both thinking along the same lines. But before Bobby could say anything the guy on the other edge of the bar's counter yelled out "Hey Sam come over here."

That's when John's eyes joined those of his fellow hunters to stare at the man so called Sam.

Sam went over to join a decisively shorter blond man with caramel eyes who was reading a green bound book along with another younger man. He smiled at the first before looking at the second. "What's the problem now Freddy?"

"I needed your help on the paper you assigned last week."

"I'm not free tomorrow but Friday should be fine, if that's ok with you."

The young man's face lit up with a relieved smile. "Thanks Sam, I owe you one." Sam shook his head in response.

"Happy to help. I am your teacher after all."

Freddy picked up his rucksack before turning to head out the door. "See you Friday Sam."

"Hey," Sam said, pointing a finger with a face of mock accusation. "You stop calling me Sam or I'll get in serious trouble with the council. It's only because we're off school campus."

"And we're in bar." Commented the golden haired man.

"And we're in a bar" Sam repeated, shaking his head in accordance while grinning.

"Well see you Friday Mr Winchester." Freddy said as he turned on his heels to head out the door.

At that moment, the hunters' heart stopped, the air in their lungs froze in anticipation. They looked at the tall young man, who had his back to them as he wiped the opposite counter, and it was then that Dean spoke out.

"Sammy?"

They all saw the tension enter Sam's body, the tightening of the arm muscles and the slight lifting of the shoulders. He slowly turned round, meeting the men with a blank face.

"Hello Winchesters."

They all took the time to look at Sam's face in detail. It had been twelve years after all. The chubby faced twelve year old they'd once know was gone.

"Is that really you?" said Bobby, his eyes filled with hopefulness.

"Yes Singer, it's me all right." Bobby tried not to flinch at how cold and indifferent his surname sounded coming from the man he still viewed as a son.

"Where have you been the past twelve years?"

"Living. And most certainly not hunting."

Sam turned round to refill some of the other customers' drinks, niftily turning his back once again to the unwelcome hunters.

"Why are you here son?"

He turned back to face John, his features still schooled.

"Well John," Sam began as he took out 3 shot glasses and began filling them with whiskey, "I live here. What about you?"

"Sammy why'd you call him John? He's your dad." Dean looked at his brother with worry.

"Oh really? Because as far as I know, I don't have a family." Dean's eyes widened in horror at the statement.

"Sammy, you know that's not true." His voice barely a whisper.

"Well that's been my reality for the past twelve years you spoke of, so that for me is the truth."

"Sam…" John tried to place his hand on his youngest but he withdrew with disgust.

"Shut up and leave me alone."

They watched in silence as Sam walked to the opposite counter on which he leaned heavily, his breath deep and verging on erratic if the movement of his chest was anything to go by. The golden haired man, who until that point had remained silent in the background, now got up to stand near Sam, their bodies only separated by the counter. They couldn't hear what was being said, but they wouldn't have understood anyway since judging by the strange sounds and lip movements, it must have been a different language.

Eventually, Sam sighed before straightening to his full 6 feet and 4 inches. He looked at his watch before turning to lady behind the counter across the room.

"Hey Charlie, can I leave 5 minutes early?"

The red-head simply smiled "Go ahead Sam. I was going to close up anyway. Not worth keeping it open much longer. But of course term ends soon so… Anyway have a good night."

Sam shot her a grateful smile before slipping off the black bartender's apron and walking around the back. By this point the golden man had packed up his book and was walking side by side out the door with Sam.

The hunters watched their once youngest member walk away.