The Winchester Three (S1): The Beginning

Ch 11 Section 3

By the time they pulled the impala up to the motel parking lot it was already day and Sam was still laughing at Dean's reaction as well as the old woman.

Sam chuckled as he got out from the passenger's seat, "'I was sleeping with my peepers open?'"

"I almost smoked that old gal, I swear." Dean glared at him when he cackled again, "It's not funny!"

Sam was still snickering as he unlocked their room, "Oh man, you shoulda seen your face."

Dean grumbled, "Whatever."

"Well we're back at square one so that's great." Angel pointed out before spotting the owner's son sitting behind the office looking forlorn, "Hang on." Walking over to the kid, Angel sat next to him, "Hey buddy, what's wrong?"

He looked up at her with teary eyes, "My brother's sick."

Dean knelt down to him as Sam stood behind, "The little guy?"

"Pneumonia." He explained sadly looking from him back to Angel, "He's in the hospital and it's all my fault."

"Hey, I'm sure that's not true sweetie." She looked him over sadly, "What happened?"

"I shoulda made sure the window was latched." He sniffled, "He wouldn't've got pneumonia if the window was latched."

Angel looked pained as she and Dean stared at one another for a beat. A look of understanding crossing between them. It was a moment Sam doesn't miss, making him frown thoughtfully.

"Listen to me." Dean earned his attention, conviction filling his voice, "I can promise you that this is not your fault. Okay?"

He turned to Dean unconvinced, "It's my job to look after him."

"Yeah but sometimes... bad things happen that we can't control." Angel finished, clasping her hands tightly together, "Things that affect the people we love."

Sam looked back and forth between them as the kids mother hurried out of the motel toward her car, "Michael, I want you to turn on the no vacancy sign while I'm gone. I've got Denise covering room service so don't bother with any of the rooms."

He got up and rushed over to her, "I'm going with you."

"Not now, Michael."

"But I gotta see Asher!"

"Hey, Michael. Hey." Angel knelt down in front of him, "I know you're scared for your little brother. I know you wanna see him. I know how you feel..." Her eyes filled with understanding as she motioned behind her to Sam and Dean, "I'm a big sister but you gotta take it easy on your Mom right now, okay?"

He nodded sadly at her as his mom dropped her handbag in her haste, "Dammit!"

Sam reached down and picked it up for her, "I got it.

She sniffled and quickly took it from him, "Thanks."

Angel turned to her with a soft expression, "Listen, you're in no condition to drive- why don't you let me give you a lift to the hospital?"

She shook her head but couldn't help the tears that fell down her cheeks, "No, I couldn't possibly..."

"It's no trouble, really." She offered a smile, "I insist."

Nodding sadly she handed her keys to Angel, "Thank you." Turning to Michael she kissed his head, "Be good."

Dean helped her into her seat before walking back over to Angel and Sam.