AN: I have no idea where this came from... just needed to get back in the game I guess. I'm busy with the Publisher's edit requests and have to have it done by Wednsday so that's why I've disappeared. Hope you all like this though. Take care!
Disclaimer... I don't own anything of Kripke's creations!!!
John glanced in the rearview mirror to see his two boys curled up around each other in an effort to keep warm. The Impala's heater had crapped out at the worst possible time – in between paychecks. So now they were driving through Colorado towards Bobby Singer's place, in the middle of December, with no break in sight otherwise they'd run the risk of freezing to death in their sleep…. Yeah, there was no problem with the way he was raising his kids.
Frustration was creeping on him once again and he knew he needed to clamp down on it before he woke up his youngest. At five years old Sammy had a way of sensing other people's emotions and taking it in like it was his own. Now wasn't that a kick in the teeth considering how many times he had to pretend to be someone else to do his real job? Too many times he'd come home to the boys and see those wide eyes staring at him as if they could lay him bare for everyone to see each and every sin he'd committed.
It had been suggested many times for him to find a safe place for Dean and Sammy; to let someone else raise his boys. The temptation hadn't been stronger than this past couple weeks when the expenses seemed to have grown and the income had dropped to almost nonexistent. Several of his friends had suggested ways to 'supplement' his income, usually by credit card fraud, but he'd been adamant that he wouldn't stoop so low. However, hunting the supernatural didn't pay a wage, leaving him to either do temp work for practically nothing or hustle in places that he prayed his boys never found out existed.
Maybe it would be better to let Jim find a decent home for them. One with two parents, a yard… hell, even a damn dog! Gripping the steering wheel harder, he ignored that ache in his heart that was screaming at him not to do it, but his head was solidifying the decision. As soon as they got to Bobby's and he got a couple hours sleep, he'd call Jim up and make the arrangements. It was the best thing he could do for the boys. It wasn't as if he'd never see them again… just until he found the monster who took their mother away… just until…
"Loves you, Daddy…" mumbled Sammy in his sleep, barely opening glazed eyes towards his father before allowing sleep to once again claim him.
Suddenly, the moonlight illuminating the road seemed to brighten and John's fingers loosened their grip on the steering wheel and only one thought prevailed through his mind. 'Maybe credit cards are the way to go.'