Disclaimer: Well hello. I'm not Eric Kripke. So I don't own Supernatural. I also make no money from this story, it's just something I've been wanting to do for a while. This is Un-Beta'd so I don't know how well it will be received. This isn't SLASH but I have no problem with slash, in fact I love it. It's just not where this is heading. This will probably be the only disclaimer, so have fun reading it. If anyone would would like to be a beta, I have no problem with it. Thanks for reading- enjoy. -Jess

Have you ever missed the last step in the dark? The little dip in your stomach before you hit the step? Well this is exactly how Nineteen year old Dean felt when his mind would wander in the presence of his little brother.

Sure, he knew his little brother was a sweet kid, that everyone wanted to just "Eat Him Up", but he never fully understood that until he was thirteen. When he had an incredibly odd dream, and it was one he could never forget.

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'Deeeaaaaaannn'

Shit.

'Dean... where's your brother, your beautiful little brother? Hmm?'

"You won't find him you piece of shit!" Dean yelled

'And why not? You think your limited fighting skills will keep me away from that ultimate prize? No Deany boy. I'll find him… And if not me, one of us will? But see me. I'll keep him… Heh, safe'. That persistent voice called out

"Man, if you think you can get Sammy for your sick purposes you're wrong. I won't let you; my dad sure as Hell won't let you, so why even try? Why get killed for something that won't happen?"

The voice paused for a moment.

'Because, if there was even a slight chance that I might get him it's worth it. Let me put this in terms even you can understand, He is a Ferrari compared to everyone's Datsun truck. He… He is the gold.'

"Why though? Why? He hasn't done anything! He's just a little kid! Why is he so God damned important?" Dean shouted

'You will see. For now just watch him. Eventually you will see his… wonder.' The voice said

"Why are you doing this? Why are you telling me?" Dean asked

'Because I need some one to take care of my treasure. I know you'll protect him from everything. While you're doing that, I'll sneak him away from under your nose. ' It's laughter filled the air

Right after Dean woke up in a rush of sheets, sweat, and gasping noises.

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Dean was woken from his reverie when his fifteen year old brother tapped him on the shoulder. Sam was looking up at him expectantly.

Huh? What'd he say? He voiced those thoughts.

"Humph, if you'd been listening like you should, instead of gawking at those cheerleaders you'd know. It's not like I didn't expect it."

"Shut up, Geek-boy."

"As I was saying, do you think it'll be alright to go to a friend's house after school tomorrow? He just moved here and he hasn't gotten to know anyone yet…" Sam asked

"Maybe, have to see how Dad is tonight. He probably will let so long as you double up on training tonight, and you don't smart mouth him 'till dinner that is."

"Hey! I don't smart mouth him… that much. At least I don't think so." Sam said wearily

"Don't worry about it squirt. Dad'll let you go."

Dean fisted his hand into Sam's hair.

"Hey! I'm not short. I just haven't reached my full height yet!" He yelled

It was true. Sam may not be a giant, but you could tell he was going to be tall. He'd already grown three inches over the summer. It was marked in their kitchen, Dean knew. They may move a lot, but they'd try to make it home. So far in every house there was a mark for each of the boys. And since their Dad had decided to stay in this town, because the Demon crime rate was up and this place had a nice distance from almost anywhere, they'd been able to mark it twice each. Dean's rate was slow and unremarkable, but Sam's had shown he'd grown quiet a bit.

"Settle down, just get in the car and let's get home." Dean said already turned around heading towards the car.

"Hey! Wait up!" Sam shouted

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When the boys got home they were treated to an odd site. Their dad was too wrapped up in his cooking to notice his sons' arrival. He was passing about in the kitchen, stopping every so often to stir a pot or taste a pan.

"Dad?" The youngest asked

"Wha? Oh, boys. I thought since we didn't get to celebrate Sam's birthday before the summer hunting trip, and we weren't that busy now, we could." John elaborated

"Cool! I thought we celebrated it when you let me waste that Boo Hag in South Carolina." Sammy gushed

"Well… that was part of it, but I thought maybe you'd like to have a nice Spaghetti and Meatball dinner also."

Dean watched as the two talked quietly. He was glad his brother's fifteenth birthday was getting a good celebration. His had been awesome. Caleb had gotten him a fake ID and taken him out to a bar. Plus with this, his dad was sure to say yes to Sam's request.

Dean knew that little Sammy needed friends. By nature he was a social being. He'd taken after his mother in that aspect, while Dean had taken after his father and his comfort in solitude. Plus maybe his friend had a hot sister.

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Towards the end of dinner Sam had finally gotten up the courage to ask his dad.

"So Dad, I was thinking. Do you think I might be able to go to a friend's house after school tomorrow? He's new and all, so he hasn't made any friends…" He trailed off at the end in hopes of pity

"Well… didn't have any training tonight. But if you're home before eight tomorrow with your homework done, I don't see why not. Since we are celebrating tonight." John said

Sam brightened at the news. It was the first time in a long time he got to miss a training session.

"Thanks Dad! I promise I'll be home in time. Well barring any random Wendigos." He joked

"Sammy, you can't take my excuse. I used that one two towns over. You know the night I got home late from Gemma Fraston's?" Dean butted in

"Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, I knew there were no Wendigos in the area." Their dad busted Dean

Dean looked sheepishly at his dad.

Oops.

"Heh, just joking Dad."

John just glared.

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Getting ready for sleep is not something the Winchesters take lightly. It's when people are at their most vulnerable. It's when evil likes to slip in and watch, sometimes even strike. So they tend to be overly cautious, well not really. Just overly cautious for normal people.

"Sam, you got enough salt to set you up for tonight?" John asked without looking at his son

"Yeah, but the Cat's Eye shells are running low. Might need to pick some up over in Shenendoah next time" Sam called out

John thought about the small town with the little shops. He'd stumbled upon a nice Earth store on accident. The car broke down about a half mile from a little cottage on the edge of town. It'd been pure luck he had found it.

"Dad, We're going to need to re-write the runes on the front door soon. Someone's been leaning on the door frames too much, they're almost rubbed clean of." Dean shouted and paused for a beat

"Sam!" He added as an after thought

"Shut up! At least I don't use the salt from the windows for my eggs in the morning!" The younger retaliated

John decided to take a stand before it got out of control. After all he wanted to get some sleep tonight.

"Boys! Knock it off. Get down here and let's do the prayer."

"Yes, sir!" They called in unison

Seconds later there were shouts of "Move Dean." Or "Shove off Sam." And the footfalls of two teenage boys racing down the stairs. John just smiled, it reminded him that they could be normal sometimes too.

"Okay boys. Who leads tonight?" The oldest Winchester asked

"Dean's turn."

"Alrighty then. Dean, you ready?"

"Yeah, sure."

As Dean lead them in the Lord's prayer John thought back to when he had first taught them to say it before they went to sleep. Saying it together had started out as a necessity , the boys had been young. They repeated whatever he said, but didn't remember it. So he had to keep going over it with them every night. They got it, but it was one of the few times out the day he got to see them, so he created the excuse of learning it in Latin. Boy it had been weird to watch a four year old Sam recite it verbatim. After that, well, they just kept it up, none willing to sacrifice that time.

His thoughts cut off with the end of the prayer.

"Alright, off to bed with you. Dean, I'll need you to take Sammy to school in the morning. Then report back here. We can go into Shenendoah for a while. See about getting you that replacement Bowie knife you left in that Wampus Cat back in Tennessee. Sam, you'll be home by eight tomorrow, right?" John announced

"Yes Sir, eight o' clock. Homework done, ready for training."

"Dean, tomorrow's schedule okay with you?" John asked

"Yes Sir."

"Okay. Night boys, I'll see you in the morning." He said heading through the hall

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The boys were standing in the living room for a few seconds before Sam broke the silence.

"You better not make me late tomorrow Dean. I've got a test first period."

"Yeah, whatever, you were only late that one time." Dean turned to go upstairs "Try not to snore too loud tonight. You were rattling the pictures last night, thought we had a poltergeist." Was flippantly said as he was halfway up

"Shut up!"

Dean sighed it was so easy to get his brother riled up.

Life's pretty good.

His brother's shouts followed him upstairs.

Yup, easy.

"Night little brother!" Dean shouted back

He could hear the grumbling of an over angsty teenager

"Night, Dean."