A/N: Sorry about the delay in getting this chapter posted. I'm having delays in getting chapter four finished, and I wanted to hold this one off for a while, but I'll give it to you all now, and warn you the wait for the next chapter may take longer than I like. Please be patient with me. My muse is on hiatus again. *As always, my thanks for her invaluable help goes to the wonderful Suz Mc. I couldn't do this without you, dear. *hugs*

~Chapter Three~

For a few weeks afterwards, Sam and Holly couldn't find the time or place to be alone together the way they wanted. Sam ached with wanting to be with her, to be able to have the time and freedom to lay with her and be able to taste and touch and make her come for him. He wanted to bury himself in her, and to know, finally, what it was like to make love. He was only sixteen, but he felt sure that what he was feeling for Holly was love.

He wanted to be able to talk to Dean about it, and ask questions, but he figured all he'd get from his brother was more jokes and back-slapping and 'That's my boys' and that was the last thing he wanted or needed.

So, he kept his thoughts to himself, stole what moments with Holly he could, and felt his frustration increase until he was so wound up he knew he'd explode if something didn't happen soon.

The beginning of May approached, and the school year was almost over. Dad had returned, all fired up and ready to pull Sam from school so the three of them could move on to the next hunt. He already had the next one lined up. Sam listened to his dad go on about it, and he fumed. There was no way in hell he wanted to leave. Not now! He was just about ready to tear into his dad when Dean laid a hand on his shoulder, and when their eyes met, and he saw Dean shake his head, Sam kept quiet.

Dean waited until John paused, then said, his voice calm and yet firm, "No, Dad. We're not leaving. Not yet." When John opened his mouth to speak, Dean held out his hand and said, "No. Sam's close to finishing the school year. He deserves to be given the chance. I'll stick around, keep the job at the shop then when school's over, we can meet you."

Just the thought of leaving Holly sent Sam into a rage. "I'm not leaving, Dean. Not even when school's over. Not now, now that I have Hol—"

Dean gestured at him along with a shut up, Sam! look, which Sam interpreted to mean not in front of Dad. I'll handle it. He nodded slightly then sending his dad a 'go to hell' glare, he turned and stomped to his room.

He was sitting on his bed, doing homework, when Dean poked his head inside and said, "Dude, got a minute?"

Sam nodded and waved Dean in. He waited until his brother sat at the foot of the bed then said, "What's up?"

"I talked with Dad."

"Yelled at him, you mean." Sam had listened as the two had had words; John laying down the law, his law, and Dean coming right back at him with reasons why he and Sam weren't going to leave.

"Yeah, well. You know Dad. You have to be loud to be heard over his voice." Dean shifted position, and reached into his right side jean pocket and drew out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Sam. "Happy birthday, bro."

Sam took it, a puzzled expression on his face, then he unfolded it and recognized the logo of a local motel on it. He scanned the paper and realized what it was. "A motel reservation? What's this for?"

Dean grinned and winked. "It's so you and your girl have a place to go so you can hook up. Just don't forget the condoms, dude."

Sam looked from the paper to Dean, and he wasn't sure what to think. Embarrassed that his brother would be so up-front about this, and yet happy that he would be able to be with Holly, finally. "Dean—"

Dean shrugged and said as he rose from the bed, "Have fun, little brother." He headed for the door, then turned back around and added, "By the way, Dad's leaving on the next hunt tomorrow. We're sticking around."

"How'd you get him to go along with it?"

"Didn't give him a chance, Sammy. I know you like this girl—"

"Her name's Holly, Dean." Sam wondered if his brother would ever remember a girl's name.

"Holly. I know you like her, but dude, when school's out, we gotta go. Get used to that fact. Do what you have to, spend what time you can with her and make it good 'cause we're outta here come June 1."

Sam looked up at Dean and knew by the look in his brother's eyes that what Dean said, he meant. He'd gone up against their dad for him, so Sam had to live up to his side of the bargain, even though he'd not been in on the deal when it'd been made. Reluctantly, he nodded his head, and listened, his eyes downcast, as Dean walked out the door and closed it with a click behind him.

wWw

Sam met Holly in front of her locker the next morning. He was leaning back against it when she walked up, and after looking around to make sure no faculty were nearby, he reached out and pulled her close, drawing her into a hug. He held her, when what he really wanted to do was pull her into the nearest supply closet and rip her clothes off and make her scream his name.

He groaned then pulling back slightly, rested his forehead against hers. "Dean gave me my birthday present last night."

"Your birthday? You didn't tell me it's your birthday!" she frowned up at him. "Sam...I would have gotten you something."

"It's not until Saturday. He, uh, paid for a motel room." He tipped his head down to look into her eyes, and read the confusion, then dawning shock and finally a look that said ohhh...I get it! When she grinned, he smiled back, and asked, "D'you think you can get away and spend the day with me?"

She stood on her toes and kissed him loudly. "I'll make sure of it."

Saturday morning couldn't come soon enough for Sam. He'd made plans with Holly that he'd meet her at her house, but he wasn't sure what arrangements he'd come up with to get them both to the motel. The town was too small for a metro system, and though he was used to hoofing it when he needed or wanted to get somewhere, he didn't want to make her walk.

Dean came through for him, yet again. That morning, when Sam walked out of his bedroom and into the kitchenette, Dean was already there, which shocked Sam stupid. Unless he had to work, Dean was usually the last one up. The man loved his sleep, and Sam supposed he couldn't blame his brother. There were all too many times, when they were on hunts, that sleep wasn't an option. When he had the opportunity to get it, Dean wouldn't drag himself out of bed until mid-morning, long after Sam and their dad had started their day. It pissed John off, and he'd argued with Dean about it over and over, but Sam understood, and he'd often sided with Dean. Eventually, John had given up.

This morning, though, Dean was up and had breakfast on the table. "Hey, Sammy. grub's on. Grab some before you hit the road." He set a glass of orange juice on the table, gestured from Sam to the glass, then turned back to return the carton to the fridge.

"Why are you up so early?" Sam asked after taking a sip. "I didn't think you had to be at work until 10:00."

"I don't. I'm walking there today."

Sam sent Dean a surprised look. "Why? Is there something wrong with the car?"

"Nope." Dean reached into his pocket and pulled out the car keys and tossed them to Sam. "Rest of your birthday gift, Sammy. You gotta have wheels, right? Spend the day with Holly...in style!" He winked at Sam then turned away once more, this time to reach for the skillet on the stove, and lifting it by the handle, carried it to the table and divided the scrambled eggs in it between his and Sam's plates.

Sam was shocked. Not only had Dean given him the means to be alone with Holly, he'd offered him the use of his baby. That alone almost never happened. Dean loved his car and rarely allowed anyone but himself to drive it. "Why are you doing this, Dean? The motel...ok, I understand that. But the car?"

Dean sat, and after taking a bite of food and washing it down with coffee, he looked up at Sam and, after a moment, sighed. "Sam, the life we lead, the way we're always moving around, never in one place...it's been hard on you. I know that. I guess I just wanted—"

"What?" Sam asked, not accustomed to his brother being willing to talk about this. "What do you want, Dean?"

"I wanted you to have a day just for you; a day without responsibilities. A day with your girl where all you have to be concerned about is that she comes before you do." He grinned at Sam's blush then continued. "The baby's gassed up, waxed and polished, and I've stashed a few necessities on the back seat. Sam—" he paused a moment as if considering his next words. "I guess I wanted to do this for you because I know how hard it's going to be on you to have to leave in a few weeks. I wanted to give you some memories to take with you when we go."

Sam felt his eyes tear up, but he didn't want Dean to see it. He reached for his juice again and took a sip, hoping to get his emotions under control before he looked back at his brother. Once he'd swallowed down the lump clogging his throat, he looked up and noted Dean's nonchalant expression and realized that his brother just might be as embarrassed by his little speech as Sam was, and was trying in his own, Dean-like way, to hide it. Allowing his brother his chick-flick-free moment, Sam nodded his thanks and said no more.

When the two of them finished eating, Sam rose from the table, gathered the used dishes, and set them in the sink. Since there were so few pieces, he went ahead and washed and dried them, and put them away. As he moved past Dean, who had moved from the table to the couch where he was putting on his boots, Sam reached out and placed a hand on Dean's shoulder, and gave it a firm squeeze. "Thanks, Dean."

Dean shrugged the sentiment away as if it were nothing. "Get outta here. Your girl's waiting."

wWw

When Sam pulled the Impala up to the curb in front of Holly's house, she came bouncing out to meet him, and barely gave him the chance to get up and out of the car before she threw herself into his arms. He grabbed her up and pulled her close and gave her a long, deep kiss. He could've kept her there for hours had they not been interrupted by her mom when she greeted him from the front door of the house.

"Good morning, Sam! Have you had breakfast?" Laura Jacobs called out.

Sam pulled back from Holly reluctantly, and giving her a bemused grin, turned to the house and her mom to reply. "Hi, Mrs. J. Yeah, I've eaten. My brother fixed breakfast for me this morning."

"Well, come on in for a minute. I have something for you." She turned and walked back inside, leaving the door open slightly.

Sam shrugged, and taking Holly's hand, walked with her toward the house. "What's she talking about, Hol?"

Grinning, Holly replied, "You'll see."

When they walked into the house, Mrs. J stood in the doorway between the foyer and the living room. She held a small wrapped package, and wore a soft smile that Sam recognized as the same one Holly often gave him. When she held it out to him, she said, "Holly told us, her dad and I, that today is your birthday. It's not much, but we wanted you to have it."

Sam accepted it, and after looking to Mrs. J for permission to open it, and receiving her nod in reply, he slipped a finger under a taped-down flap and tore it open. After a moment, he found revealed within a well-crafted leather wallet. He sent Holly's mom a shocked look. "It's amazing, Mrs. J. Really! I love it." He turned it over in his hands and admired the deep mahogany shade of the tanned skin, the stitching around it, and the designs pressed into the leather. On one side, surrounded by an oval-curlicue shape, were his initials, SW.

She grinned, pleased. "I hoped you would. My husband and I do leatherwork as a hobby. It's almost a family hobby, really. Holly does the decorative stamping."

"Hol...really?" Sam asked, turning to her for confirmation. "I only just told you about my birthday the other day. This looks like it took a long time to make." He caressed the leather with his thumbs, completely in awe that she'd done this with her own hands.

She nodded, pride in her family's handiwork glowing on her face. "Mom and Dad already had it made. I just stamped your initials into it last night."

He took her in his arms and hugged her tight, until Mr. J's voice broke in. Sam looked up and found Holly's dad standing in the doorway.

"'Morning, son."

Sam looked over at Holly's father, and nodded at him respectfully. "Sir." He slipped the wallet into his pocket, nervously leaving his hand there.

Stephen Jacobs strolled over to stand in front of Sam, his hands in his pants pockets, and looked down at the teenager's clasped hands. He looked back up and shared a look with Sam, and without a word, Sam understood. Message received.

"Got special plans for the day, do you?" Mr. J asked, sharing a look this time with Holly.

"Yes, Daddy. Being Sam's birthday and all, we thought we'd hang out with some friends. Nothing much." Holly gave her father a smile, and Sam recognized it as being similar to one Dean used when he was shoveling a mound of steaming bullshit in front of you. Holly just did it prettier.

"Hmm. Well, have fun. Don't be late. Call if you need a ride home."

"I have a car, sir," Sam offered. "It's my brother's, but it's safe. I'll have Holly home early."

"Daaad..." Holly moaned at her father's protectiveness. She rolled her eyes at him then giggled when he winked down at her. "I know the rules. Home by ten, call if I need a ride, be careful. Got it. Can we go, now? Pleeeeeze?" Getting a nod from her dad, Holly grabbed Sam's hand and tugged him out the door.

As soon as Sam got Holly seated and then moved around the car to get inside himself, he turned to her and asked, "Where to?" Part of him wanted to drive immediately towards the motel, breaking all speed limits, and another part, the nervous part, wouldn't mind putting it off just a little longer. So, he decided to let her choose.

Holly looked over at him, and Sam read the nervousness in her eyes. When she commented, her voice soft and a little hesitant, "It's your birthday, Sam. It's your choice," he nodded, and said as he turned the ignition, "Let's just drive for a little bit. Dean doesn't give his baby up to anyone very often, so let's take advantage of it." He grinned, adding, "He gave us a full tank." Holly's giggle was all the answer he needed.

As he drove through town, and the two of them talked about school, and their friends, and other topics, Sam began to relax. He realized it wasn't often he was given the chance to have a day like this, where he could decide for himself what he would do, where he'd go, and who he could spend that time with. Having his girl snuggled up beside him, her hand resting lightly on his thigh, and Dean's car in his control for a day, Sam figured it couldn't get much better than this. Taking his eyes off the road for just a moment, he turned his head and kissed Holly on the temple, then returning his concentration back on the road, he sighed happily.

After driving around for a while, they ended up at a park just on the outskirts of town. Considering it was a nice day at the beginning of May, there weren't a whole lot of people out and about, which surprised Sam. As he helped Holly out of the car, he scanned the area, and noted only a few people. A woman was jogging down a concrete pathway to their left, and a man and a child were tossing a ball back and forth a little further in, on the right. Sam smiled, remembering the few times Dean took him to a park to toss either a ball, or a time or two, a Frisbee, between them. Then, realizing how long ago that had been, he frowned.

"Sam?" Holly asked, drawing him out of his thoughts. "You okay?"

He nodded, then smiled at her and leaned down to kiss her. "Yeah. I'm good. Let me get something out of the back seat, then we'll head out." He opened the back door, and just as Dean had said, there was a stash of supplies on the seat. Dean, he saw, had planned for most anything. A folded blanket, a cooler that Sam suspected contained beer, and a few other things that were gathered into a handled bag. Sam handed the blanket to Holly, then pulling out the cooler and the bag, he butted his hip against the car door, the hinges creaking loudly as it slammed shut.

They strolled through the freshly mown grass, their steps sending up one of Sam's favorite scents of summer. He breathed in deeply, filling his lungs, and felt good...really good. When Holly gestured toward a nearby tree questioningly, Sam dipped his head in agreement, and followed her until they reached its base, shaded under a full canopy of emerald leaves.

Sam took the blanket from Holly and spread it out, then together they lay on it, Holly on her back and Sam, on his side, his head propped on his right hand as he looked down at her. With his other hand, he cupped her cheek, caressing it softly, before he leaned down and kissed her.