Disclaimer: Supernatural and all its characters belong to Kripke and the CW. I own nothing.

AN- This story is dedicated to Sammygirl1963 and Vonnie836. They are two of my best friends and biggest supporters. You girls have helped me so much the past year and I wanted to do something special for you. Merry Christmas my friends!!!

Sammy Winchester carefully read over the tear stained letter in his hand making certain it was just right. Certain that he had said everything he needed to say he slid off his bed and shuffled over to Dean's. He gently set the note on his big brother's pillow where it was sure to be seen and then turned, grabbed his duffle, and hurried out of the room. Trudging down the hall he looked in each room he came to wanting to remember every part of this place; the last home he would ever have with his family. Making it to the front door Sam reached out a shaky hand and grabbed the doorknob before pausing for a moment. Glancing around at the room behind him he started to have second thoughts. Maybe he didn't need to leave after all; maybe he'd been mistaken. But then the morning's events came flooding back to crush him once more.

That morning

Sammy slowly shuffled into the house behind his father with his head hung low. He'd done worse in training this morning than the past two days combined. He hadn't even been able to hit any of the targets his dad had set out and the only thing he had managed to do in sparring was set the record for most times knocked on his behind, not to mention most bruises in one session. And he didn't even want to think about the obstacle course or the running drills. He knew his dad was furious with him; had told him so in no uncertain terms out in the field and in the car but he knew that was just the beginning. His father always saved the worst for when they got home and it was just the two of them.

Not wanting to prolong the inevitable Sam quietly shut the door before hanging up his coat and hat and going into the kitchen to face his enraged father. Getting to the table he stood at attention and waited for the yelling to begin. He didn't have to wait long.

John Winchester took another swig of his coffee as he glared at his youngest. The kid had done an awful job out there this morning. He didn't think he'd ever seen someone that uncoordinated and sloppy in his life. Even recruits on their first day of basic turned in a better performance than the boy in front of him had, and he'd been training for over two years now. Sometimes he wondered if the kid didn't do things like this just to spite him. He wouldn't put it past Sammy; he knew the boy was mad about not being allowed to see his brother the past few days. But he didn't deserve to visit Dean in the hospital, not when it was his fault his brother was there in the first place. John was not going to feel guilty about it and he didn't feel bad about all the extra training either. It was time Sammy learned to suck it up and get with the program before he got someone killed. No more coddling or excuses. And it needed to start right now. Slamming his mug down on the counter he smirked as the kid jumped. "Good, he's nervous" John thought as he rounded on his son.

John stomped over to his youngest and leaned down getting right in the boy's face. "What the hell do you think you were doing out there, boy?" he growled. I've seen six year olds that were more coordinated than you! You were pathetic out there! If we'd been on a hunt, Dean and I would both be dead right now! God, you're worthless as a hunter! I can't believe you're mine!"

"Dad, I…"

"Save it! I don't wanna hear your excuses! You've always got some excuse or another for your screw-ups! Well it ends right now! Winchesters don't make excuses and they don't screw up hunts! You aren't a Winchester or a hunter!" John bellowed. "Now get outta my sight before I do something you'll regret!"

"I'm sorry sir" Sammy mumbled as he turned and walked dejectedly toward the doorway.

"You should be" John fired back. "I'm going to the hospital to get MY son now, you know the one you almost got killed. Move your crap into my room while I'm gone. Dean and I will bunk together from now on. Oh, and make yourself scarce when we get back. I don't want my son to see your worthless hide when we get here."

Wiping the tears from his eyes Sammy glanced around the room once more and then turned and walked out the door.

In the impala

Dean shifted in the passenger seat trying to find a position that didn't pull on the stitches across his chest. Being clawed by a Wendigo was definitely at the top on his list of things to never do again. Finally finding a comfortable spot he glanced over at his dad. The man had been pissed from the moment he stepped into the hospital room and that was never a good thing. Dean knew he should tread carefully; that his dad was as mean as a rattler and twice as deadly when he was in a foul mood. But after three days in a boring hospital room with no little brother for company Dean simply didn't care. Sammy hadn't been the only one punished by their dad's refusal to let him visit. Glaring out the windshield the teenager thought for a moment and then gruffly asked, "Where's Sammy? Why didn't he come with you?"

"I told you Dean. Sammy's being punished for getting you hurt." John huffed.

"And what am I being punished for?" Dean threw back as he turned his glare on his dad.

"Dean" John warned.

"No dad, I won't shut up!" Dean growled. "I sat in that crappy hospital room alone for three days while you had your little hissy fit and I've had it! You're going to listen to me this time! My getting hurt wasn't Sammy's fault!"

"Like Hell it wasn't! His gun jammed! You could have been killed because he didn't take care of his weapon!" John shouted.

"That wasn't his gun!" Dean yelled back. "That was yours! Sammy had never touched that gun before you put it in his hands that night, dad!"

"What?" John gasped. He didn't remember that. Actually he didn't recall much of anything about the hunt besides seeing the Wendigo attacking his eldest after Sam's gun jammed.

"He got his gun outta the trunk and you switched it with yours, remember?" Dean told his father. "You told him it was time he used a man's weapon."

John ran a hand across his face. "Oh God!" he whispered. "I've been…Shit, Dean! Why didn't you tell me three days ago?!"

"I tried but every time I mentioned Sammy or the hunt you cut me off; told me to keep my mouth shut that it was being dealt with." Dean grumbled. "And with all those meds in my system I didn't exactly have the strength to fight with you about it. Most of the time I could barely keep my eyes open."

"Hang on Dean." John instructed as he floored the accelerator. He needed to get home and see Sammy. He had a lot to make up to the boy for. He just hoped it wasn't too late.

The bus station

Sammy confidently walked up to the ticket counter. "Round trip ticket to Blue Earth, please." he stated laying out most of his snow shoveling money. He didn't plan on coming back but he knew a one way ticket wouldn't be very convincing.

The ticket attendant took one look at the scrawny little boy and frowned. Pushing the money back towards the boy she said, "Sorry son, you're too young to be buying a ticket by yourself."

Sammy gave the older woman his best puppy dog expression. "I'm not alone. My dad's right over there on the phone." He said pointing over to the row of pay phones where a man was staring their way. He was actually staring at the young lady behind him, but Sam wasn't about to tell the attendant that. "He got a page from the office and had to call them so he told me to buy the ticket."

"Your dad's sending you away on Christmas Eve?" the attendant skeptically said.

"He doesn't really want to, but its mom's year to have me for Christmas" Sammy told the woman smiling as she took his money back and handed him a ticket. "Thank you, ma'am. Merry Christmas!" Stuffing the ticket in his pocket he picked up the duffle at his feet and raced across the station. Making it to his bus with only a couple of minutes to spare he quickly handed his ticket to the driver and walked to the back of the bus. Taking a seat at the very back of the bus he set his duffle on the empty seat beside him and settled in for the long ride ahead. He just hoped Pastor Jim wouldn't be too disappointed in him when he got there.

Back at the house

"Sammy!" Dean called as he shuffled into the house. "Hey Sammy! Come on out! Big brother's here!" Getting no reply he glanced nervously over at his father.

"Go check the bedroom. He's probably just in there sulking." John said ignoring the pit in his stomach and the daddy sensors that were screaming at him that something was very wrong.

"K" Dean replied. Injuries forgotten he ran down the hall to their bedroom. Throwing open the door he hurried inside to find an empty room. Glancing around the spotless room he saw none of Sammy's school books or papers and only his own duffle sat on the floor by the wall. Dropping on the bed as the implications of what he was seeing sank in Dean angrily reached for his pillow quickly shifting his gaze when his hand hit paper instead of cloth. Looking down at his little brother's messy handwriting he quickly read the note growing more upset with each word. Leaping to his feet he raced out of the room and down the hall hollering for his father the whole time. Rounding the corner of the living room he ran right into his dad.

"Dean, what is it? What's wrong?" John questioned leading his breathless son to the couch.

"H-h-he's gone, da-dad! Sammy's, Sammy's gone!" Dean stammered.

AN- The last chapter will be up tomorrow.