A/N: This one I broke into three chapters just to make it easier. Hope you are enjoying the adventures of DJ and like how he is developing. Thanks for all the support for the first two stories. Please leave a review, the little writing demon enjoys them. To all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

Sis this ones for you, especially Chapter 2. Hope you enjoy the imagery. L

Disclaimer: Do not own SPN and all that I write is from my own imagination for your enjoyment.

NC

Chapter 1

The old house was quiet as Sam came out of the bathroom running his fingers through his still damp hair. He knew Dean was downstairs pretending to watch something on the tube, but was actually dozing and Bobby was out in the garage finishing up the repairs on a truck. So it surprised him when he heard laughter from his son's room and then a whispered conservation. Sam strolled slowly to the bedroom door and pushed it partly open. He saw his son laying on the floor on his car rug Dean had gotten him running his toy cars over the make believe roads.

"Hey son, were you talking to someone?"

"No." DJ said around his vrooming and sputtering noises for his cars.

"You sure? I thought I heard you."

"Just playing Daddy."

"Ok, I'll have dinner ready in an hour, but sure to wash up."

"Ok Daddy." his son answered. "Daddy, Mommy is still watching over us isn't she?" he asked innocently.

"Yeah son, she'll always be watching over us." Sam said softly as a wave of sadness washed over him for a moment when he thought about Jess.

"Ok." DJ said going back to his playing.

Sam watched his son wondering what brought about that question. DJ seemed like a well adjusted child considering he lost his mother nine months ago and they had moved to Sioux Falls to stay with Bobby at Dean's insistence. He had to admit to himself, he was glad Dean had done that, his life and his son's life was better with Bobby and Dean in it.

spn

Sam walked by his snoring brother on his way to the kitchen. He was making DJ's favorite meal consisting of chicken tenders, steamed carrots, fries, salad, bread and of course pie for Dean. He tried to be sure there was healthy food as much as possible even though Dean complained about the rabbit food all the time.

Sam flipped on the old radio by the fridge and found a station to his liking before washing his hands so he could start the meal. He felt guilty about not going back to hunting and being Dean's backup, but Dean would have nothing to do with it. He even threatened to lock him in the panic room if it even looked like he was going to follow him. Dean was not letting DJ grow up without at least one parent to raise him. That being hashed out several times, Sam did what he did best, research. He made sure Dean had the most current and accurate information for the cases before he went into the field. Bobby made sure Dean had backup when needed, be it Caleb, Josh, Ben or himself.

"Any coffee?" Dean asked yawning widely as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and walked into the kitchen.

"Yeah, just started a fresh pot." Sam nodded toward the coffee pot that was dripping coffee.

"Need help?"

"No, I got it." Sam said tossing the salad as the carrots steamed. "Dean, have you noticed DJ talking to himself lately?"

"Nope, don't think so. Why?"

"Thought I heard him a while ago in his room playing."

"Maybe he has an imaginary friend." Dean suggested. "Didn't you have one back what when you were eight or nine?"

"Yeah, I think I did." Sam said frowning as he thought back to that time. He remembered just finding out about the monsters being real and that Dad and Dean hunted them. It freaked him out at first, then he wanted to do it too, but they thought he was too young. He was left in a no name rundown motel while they worked the case. He was lonely, had no friends so he made up one. "I think his name was Sully. We had some fun times." Sam smiled to himself as memories opened up in his mind.

"Why did ya need an imaginary friend anyway?"

"I was lonely." Sam shrugged checking the carrots and putting in the rolls.

"You wanna go tell Bobby dinner's almost ready and I'll get DJ?"

"Sure." Dean said pushing off from the counter and heading out the side door.

spn

"Good meal Sam." Bobby told him as he pushed back from the table. "Gonna get fat if I keep on eating this good."

"Thanks Bobby." Sam smiled shyly. It was still hard for him to accept compliments about himself.

"Dean, one of my sources may have a case for you to check out."

"Great! Was starting to get bored." Dean perked up waiting for him to continue.

"It's in a small town 'bout six-seven hours from here. Doesn't look too bad from what I can tell."

Bobby didn't want to go into details with DJ at the table, little kids had big ears. They had been really careful to keep anything related to a hunt away from DJ; none wanted him to learn of the evils of the world until he was much older.

"Un'le Dee, are you going on road trip in Baby?" DJ asked looking over at him.

"Maybe, but I shouldn't be gone long." Dean assured him.

"Can I come?"

"No son, Dean's going to be doing adult things and couldn't watch you." Sam answered before Dean could.

"I'm big enough I don't need watching." DJ pouted turning his best puppy dog eyes to his uncle.

"No, nope, don't look at me with those damn eyes." Dean complained getting up with his plate. "Just like yer Dad when he was little. Not fallin' for it this time, I'm goin' to use the laptop."

DJ poured on the sad, soulful look, letting tears well up in his eyes. Sam looked at him and had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing. He remembered using that same look to get what he wanted from Dean growing up.

"DJ you can't go with your uncle, now no more talk about it. Wanna help me with the dishes?"

"Ok." he sighed looking dejected but knew he couldn't argue with his Dad.

spn

"So what do ya think?'

"My first guess would be a vengeful spirit."

"Yeah, does look like things are pointing that way, so a quick salt and burn then."

"Is it ever that easy?"

"I can hope. Think I'll head out tonight, grab a motel room and start fresh tomorrow so I can get back home." Dean said arching his eye brow with an underlying meaning.

"Ya call me if yer have problems."

"I'll go pack and let Sammy know I'll be heading out." Dean said getting up and heading for the kitchen.

spn

"Where's the kid?" Dean asked coming out of the bathroom with his bag to pack.

"Pouting still. He's as hardheaded as the rest of us." Sam smiled shaking his head. "I think he's gone on to bed."

"You know he got it honest. Well tell him I'll be back in a few days."

"Let me know if you need any further research done and don't take any wild chances."

"I hear ya bro, I'll check in tomorrow when I check the deaths out."

Dean grabbed his bags and headed down the hall, pausing at DJ's door. He looked in and saw a lump in the bed. Not wanting to get into another fight, he pulled the door partly closed before heading down the stairs.

"Be careful son and keep in touch."

"Will do Bobby. If you'll go on and finish up the rest for me."

"Alright, it'll be ready."

"See ya Sammy." he called over his shoulder as he headed out the front door.

"Be careful." Sam called from the stairs.

spn

Dean found a classic rock station and let his Baby roll down the highway toward Minden, Nebraska, letting her eat up the miles. Traffic was light and with a full moon, Dean was able to see the shadow draped landscape surrounding him. He turned the heat up some to knock the chill off as he began to sing softly along with the music. Dean never noticed the movement under a blanket in the backseat that settled down a few seconds later.

spn

The hours had ticked by faster than he thought they would when he glanced at his watch. He was less than an hour from Minden and was going to stop to gas up and grab a coffee. He was concentrating on the road signs when a small hand brushed across his neck and a small voice called to him.

"Need to potty Un'le Dean."

Dean fought not to wreck his Baby as he jerked her back into his lane before glancing over his shoulder at his sleepy nephew in the backseat.

"Sonovabitch." Dean shot out as he slowed enough to stop on the side of the road. "DJ what the hell are you doing back there?"

"I wanted to come with you so you wouldn't be alone." DJ told him. "Potty!" he cringed crossing his legs.

"Hold on kid there's a gas station just ahead." Dean told him pulling Baby back on the road and speeding toward the next exit. "Man, your Dad's gonna have a cow." Dean mumbled already hearing Sam's frantic, high pitched voice in his head.

Within five minutes, Dean was exiting off the interstate and turning toward a 24 hour truck stop. He pulled into a parking space and got out opening the back door to let his nephew out. DJ grabbed his hand and hurried with him toward the entrance. He paused long enough to locate the restrooms in the back of the store.

"Un'le Dee!"

"Hurrying." Dean said grabbing him up and rushing that way. Dean plowed into the restroom dodging a couple of guys to get DJ into a stall. He helped him get his pants down and waited while DJ peed.

"All done." DJ sighed with relief.

"Well Tiger, we gotta figure out what to tell your Dad. I can't take ya back now, I'm almost to Minden."

"I wanna stay with you, I can help ya."

"Well Buddy, I don't think you can do that." Dean told him holding him up to wash his hands.

"Un'le Dee can I have something to drink?"

"Yeah Tiger, are ya hungry too?"

"No, just thirsty."

"Come on, let's get something to drink and get back on the road. We'll get a room for the night and decide what to do with you."

"Daddy's gonna be mad?"

"Probably, he did say you couldn't come and so did I."

"I'm sorry..."

spn

An annoying noise penetrated Sam's brain as he threw his arm toward the nightstand to snag his cell.

"'lo." he grumbled trying to wake.

"Sam, you awake?"

"Dee, what's going on?" Sam asked glancing at the clock.

"Look don't be mad." Dean started.

"Mad at what?"

"I had an extra passenger with me when I left." Dean said looking over at the bed where DJ was sound asleep.

"Passenger...Wait are you..." Sam asked jumping from the bed and going to his son's room. He jerked the blanket back to find one of DJ's pillows and stuffed animals making a mound to look like a body. "Shit. Is he alright?"

"Yes, he's sleeping right now and I'm not far behind him."

"I'll pack and see what Bobby has I can drive."

"Wait Sam, take it easy. There's no need for you to drive up here now. Look, have Bobby see if there's anyone nearby that can help me. It looks like a simple salt and burn shouldn't take a day or so."

"What are ya goin' to do with DJ? You can't leave him in the motel alone or take him with you on the hunt."

"I wouldn't do that, you know me better than that. I'll keep him safe."

Sam ran a hand through his hair and down his face. He wanted to go get his son, be really mad at him and then hug him tightly that he was safe.

"Sammy, you still there?"

"Yeah, yeah." he said tiredly. "Look, let's get some sleep and discuss this in the morning. You must be exhausted."

"Alright, a little shut eye sounds good to me too." Dean agreed. "Talk to ya in the mornin'." Dean hung up his cell and made his way to the bed. He slid DJ over and squeezed in beside him, letting his body sink into the mattress. DJ squirmed around before settling back to sleep. Dean let his mind slow as he let the mist float into it sending him into slumber.

spn

"Balls! You mean he snuck in the back of the Impala and is with Dean now?" Bobby asked.

"Yep, Dean doesn't want me to come get him. Wanted you to check see if anyone was close to help him."

"Let me make a couple of calls."

"Should I go?" Sam asked his adopted father willing to take his advice.

"Awe son, I know you're worried, but ya know yer brother won't let anything happen to your son. He loves the bugger." Bobby told him as he watched Sam twitch and that leg bounce uncontrollably when he was stressed. He saw the signs that Sam was ready to lose it before long.

"I know." he answered sipping his coffee while trying to gain control over his leg and staring at his cell willing it to ring.

spn

Bobby speed dialed Dean and waited for him to answer as he looked back in at his brother.

"Call yer brother 'fore he starts hitchhiking there." Bobby growled softly so Sam couldn't hear him in the other room. "I know, but ya know yer brother and how he worries." Bobby listened for a moment before answering. "Yeah, I'm calling Caleb, I think he's only a couple of hours from ya and can help. Just call him."

Bobby hung up and dialed Caleb as he watched Sam jump when his cell rang and he quickly picked it up to answer. He got up and began to pace the kitchen while talking to his brother. Bobby could tell when he began to talk to his son, his voice changed and his demeanor became more relaxed and at ease.

"Hey Caleb, need you to do me a favor..." Bobby started talking to his hunter friend explaining the situation and why he needed his help. After giving him the motel Dean was stay at, he hung up and went to tell Sam help was on the way.

"That was Dean finally." Sam told him when he came back into the kitchen.

"And, things ok?"

"Yeah, he's taking DJ for some breakfast. He sounded fine, but was upset that I was going to be mad at him. I am, but the sound of his voice just..." Sam started washing a hand down his face. "How can you be mad at him?"

"I know son, you know he idolizes that brother of yours, kinda like someone else I know at that age." Bobby commented looking at Sam with a knowing look.

Sam huff a chuckle knowing Bobby was right. DJ loved his uncle and was like a little shadow for Dean when he was around. Dean was teaching him about cars and it was amazing how quickly he picked up on things. Sam had been reading to him since he was born and still continued to do it. DJ knew his ABC's, colors, shapes and numbers. He really loved to learn and was like a sponge absorbing everything he could.

"Caleb is heading over to Minden to help Dean, so I'm sure both of them can take care of DJ."

"I don't like it, but unless I hear otherwise, I'll stay here." Sam finally admitted letting his shoulders sag slightly with his decision.

"Sounds good to me. You mind manning the phone for a few hours; I need to get this car finished to be picked up later today."

"No problem, I don't need to be into work until after lunch. I have some research to do for Doug that shouldn't take long."

"If ya need me, ya know where I'm at."

spn

Dean looked up when someone knocked on the motel door. He pushed DJ behind the bed and headed for the door, pulling out his gun.

"Hey Dean, its me." a familiar voice called from the other side of the door.

Dean stored his gun back in the waist of his jeans and opened the door to a hunter friend, Caleb.

"Hey man, hadn't seen ya in a while." Dean grinned holding out his hand.

"I know, how's it been goin'?" Caleb replied shaking Dean outstretched hand.

"It's ok DJ, this is Caleb, he's a friend of your Dad and me."

"So, this is the newest Winchester?" Caleb asked squatting down to be on DJ's level before talking to him. "Hey there little man, hear ya decided to stowaway in your uncle's car."

"Hello." DJ said cautiously moving closer to Dean so he could touch him.

"He's a little shy around strangers." Dean told him ruffling the boy's hair.

"Looks just like his Dad. So what we got here bro?"

"Hey Tiger, wanna watch some TV?" Dean asked leading DJ to the bed and settling him there. He found the remote and turned on the tube searching for something that might interest his nephew. He found an animal program and left it there so he could go talk to Caleb.

"We're thinking a vengeful spirit." Dean said quietly sitting down at the table beside him.

"So where do ya wanna start?"

"You wanna go to the police department and morgue, check out the victims and I'll head over to the first victim's house. Don't think Sammy'd want me taking the kid to the morgue." Dean told him glancing up at DJ.

"Gotta ya, meet back here?"

"Depends on the time, I'll call ya. If it's near lunch, we'll meet at the diner."

"Alright then, I'll head on over and see what I can find out." Caleb said getting up to head out the door.

"Nice to meet ya kid. See ya later dude."

"So Tiger, ya ready for a road trip?"

"Yea!" DJ responded jumping down from the bed.

"Go to the bathroom first." he said.

"Ok."

Dean pulled out his suit he wore when being an FBI agent and quickly changed. He was straightening his tie and coat when DJ came back out ready to go.

spn

Dean pulled the Impala up in front of a one story house and parked. He looked around the area before turning to his nephew who was in the passenger seat.

"I want you to stay in the car, understand?" Dean told him in his not messing around listen to me voice. "Keep the doors locked."

"Yes sir." DJ replied sitting a little straighter in the seat. He knew his uncle was not messing around and he needed to do what he was told. He watched his uncle walk to the house and ring the bell waiting for it to be answered. Dean disappeared inside the house and DJ sat back in the seat looking around for something to do.

Something at the corner of the house caught his eye and he saw a boy around his age, maybe a little older standing there looking toward the car. There seemed to be a sadness surrounding the boy and something drew DJ to him. He unlocked the car door and pulled on the handle until it clicked open. Being careful, he slipped from the car to stand on the curb watching the boy before slowly making his way over to him.

"Hello." DJ said watching the boy carefully.

The boy cocked his head and stared at DJ with very sad, sorrowful eyes.

"Are you ok? My name's DJ."

Still the boy didn't answer him at first so DJ stood patiently, waiting for him to say something.

"She doesn't mean to do it." the boy finally whispered just loud enough for DJ to hear.

"Who?"

"She's angry." he continued. "My Mom."

"My Mom's in Heaven now."

"DJ!" his uncle's voice called to him from behind.

"Coming!"

DJ turned and ran to his uncle who was standing by the car looking madly toward him.

"I though I told ya to stay in the car?" he frowned to his nephew.

"I was talking to the boy."

"What boy?" Dean asked looking over to where he had been standing not seeing anyone.

"That one." DJ pointed only to see he was no longer standing there. "He was there."

"Yeah, well get in the car. Your Daddy would have my hide if anything happened to you." Dean fussed at him opening the door for him to get in. "I have a couple more stops and I want ya to stay-in-the-car, is that understood DJ?"

"Yes sir. I will." he nodded his understanding.

"Put your seatbelt on."

"Ok."

Dean pulled away from the house and DJ looked closely down the side of it looking for the boy but not seeing him. He sat back frowning, wondering who he was and what he meant by what he said. DJ stared out the window watching the houses go by as Dean drove them to the next address. DJ did as he was told and remained in the car until Dean came back out. Once he had talked to the last family, it was nearly lunch time. He called Caleb and arranged to meet at the diner for lunch.

spn

After they finished their meal, Dean and Caleb compared notes to see if their suspicions were correct. DJ watched with interest and snuck an article closer so he could see it. There was a picture of a woman and boy and the headlines read, Tragic Death, but the only word DJ understood was death. The boy in the picture was the same on he had seen at the first house this morning.

"Hey little man, shouldn't be looking at that." Caleb said pulling the article back toward them.

"Who is that?" DJ asked.

"A Mom and her son." Dean told him, not elaborating any further.

"Oh." he said sipping on his drink thinking hard.

"So wanna do this tonight and get it done?" Caleb asked Dean as they gathered up the papers from the table.

"Yeah, the sooner it's done, the sooner I can get him back to his Dad."

"Yeah, bet Sam 'bout had a freakin' heart attack when he found him gone."

"Don't ya know it. Come on Tiger let's head back to the motel, maybe take a nap or something."

"Ok, Un'le Dee, are ya tired?"

Caleb choked back a laugh as he followed them out of the diner. He had to admit; the kid seemed pretty smart and didn't miss a thing.

"I'll follow ya back to the motel."

"Alright." Dean replied getting DJ in the car and heading around to the driver's side.