Title: Treading Water (1/3)
Characters: Dean, Sam, John, Bobby
Rating: PG
Summary: Bobby suggests a family outing for Sam's birthday.
Disclaimer: I don't own a thing.
Warnings: None.

Treading Water
1/3
by a.lakewood

XOX

May 2, 1992

For some reason, Sam's birthday always reminded John of Mary. And, every year, instead of celebrating his son's life, he'd mourn his wife's death – the day spent alone in a dark bar.

But Bobby was having none of it this year. John and the boys happened to be there for the couple weeks surrounding Sam's ninth birthday.

"Take those boys somewhere, John. Spend the day with 'em."

"And what do you suggest we do? Go fishing?" John asked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Why the hell not? Either of 'em know how to cast a line?"

"I don't think either of them's ever been in a boat, Bobby."

"Then it'll be...special. Take some time with 'em. You know, bond. In our line of work, you never know-"

Dean, who had been eavesdropping from just outside the doorway into the kitchen, decided to make his presence known before Bobby could say anything else. "What about a boat?"

"Your Dad's takin' you and Sammy fishing. Go get your brother," Bobby replied, eying John.

XOX

As Sam and Dean excitedly piled into the car, John had grumbled something to Bobby about not even having a license, but Bobby just said, "Shut up and have a good time. See you kids later."

Bobby had a friend a little over an hour away that had a few acres of land that edged a well-stocked lake.

The ride was pleasant until Dean made a comment about water monsters. At Sam's quivering lip, he added, "Haven't you ever heard of the Loch Ness monster? Like a dinosaur and big as one, too."

"Dad?"

"There's no such thing as the Loch Ness monster, Dean," John said, giving his eldest son a pointed look.

"But how do you know?" Sam questioned. "I mean...all the other things that you thought weren't real, are. When I was little-"

"You still are little," Dean interrupted.

Sam continued as if Dean hadn't said a thing. "You said there was no such thing as the boogeyman. But they're really real."

"Well," John sighed, "if Nessie's real, she's in Scotland. There's nothing to worry about in this lake." He reached into the backseat and ruffled Sam's hair.

The next half hour was spent with John telling his boys about the different kinds of water spirits he'd encountered.

John eased the Impala off the highway onto the gravel road Bobby had told him to take. On the left-hand side, a hundred yards or so beyond the turn-off, was a lane marked with a big, green mailbox, "Gilmore" on the side in reflective stickers. There was a man standing out in the yard at the end of the driveway, part way between the house and the dock. John parked beside a blue pickup, then he, Sam, and Dean got out of the car.

"John?" the man asked, reaching out a hand. "Dave Gilmore."

They shook hands. "John Winchester. My boys, Dean and Sam."

"Hi, kids," Dave said. "Bobby tells me one of you's got a birthday today."

Sam just nodded vigorously.

Dave started towards the dock. "Well, I've got her loaded up for you already. Life jackets, poles, bait. My wife packed you some sandwiches also."

"That really wasn't necessary," John started to protest.

Dave just held up a hand. "It was nothing, honest. Anyway, any friend of Bobby's is a friend of mine."

"Well," John began, scratching the back of his neck, "thanks, Dave."

"You're welcome. Just have fun out there."

When Dave headed back for the house, Dean elbowed Sam. "Race ya."

"Hey!" Sam squealed as his brother got a head-start. "You cheated."

Dean just wrinkled his nose at Sam as he waited for John to reach them. "So," he said, casting a glance at the small flat-bottomed boat.

"I'll go first," John said, pushing past his sons. He carefully stepped into the boat. Once seated at the back, be gestured for Sam. 'You next, son."

Sam clung to Dean's hand as his older brother helped him climb in. "Thanks," he said, all but flying towards their dad.

When Dean boarded, he threw his weight so suddenly to one side that the boat started to tip. Upon seeing the wide-eyed look on his brother's face, he did it again.

"Dad!" Sam cried out.

"Dean! Stop rocking the boat."

"Sorry, sir."

XOX

The afternoon was spent on the lake, in the sunshine, just the three of them. John taught them how to bait their hooks, and cast their lines, and reel in their fish. And how to throw them back. "No sense in making them suffer," John had said.

It might not have been his, but it was the best birthday Dean ever had, too.