Author's notes: Thanks to Meg for convincing me to put this up. I have been working hard on this fic for quite some time and I'm very proud of it! It is a fic about Dean having a kid and all, but it's put into a very realistic, heart-felt type of way. It's not a sappy fluff story or anything (no that they're bad, just not what this is). I wanted to make a fic about this storyline for so long. It's been carefully written and planned out so I really hope you guys love it! There will be some romance, drama and a lot of tears. This story is about what it takes to pull a family together, but also about the bonds between people, the desire to protect those that we love as well as everything we go through, everything we sacrifice just to make something worthwhile. It was written to be funny, touching and full of surprises.

So yeah, Hope y'all enjoy and review so I know what you all think of it!

Chapter One: Locating

Rachel Barring sighed heavily as she made her way back to the kitchen. She'd just gotten off the phone to the homeowner of the house she was living in and discovered that he was going to sell the place. If things couldn't get any worst, she had no money saved up, so there was nowhere she to go and Rachel knew there was no job in this small town that was going to provide her what she needed to pay for rent, fuel and food.

Rachel watched the water pour into the sink and once it was enough she turned off the taps and started washing the dishes, thinking back to when her life had been perfect…

Almost eleven years ago…

'One…two…three! Open!' Dean Winchester grinned and removed his hands from her eyes. Rachel grinned in anticipation and opened them, seeing a brand new car in front of her.

'Dean!' she spun to look at him. 'How did you afford this?' she gasped but hugged him happily as it was exactly the one she'd always wanted.

Dean shrugged. 'I'm a lawyer, remember?' he smirked and kissed her cheek. 'But the question is, who do you love more…me, or the car?'

'Oh really' she shook her head and sighed. 'Well it depends' she then teased. 'How long do I get to keep the car for?' she asked, her tone turning a bit more serious and he sighed, humor gone.

'Okay yeah, I deserve that one' he admitted with a shrug. 'But let's not think about the future right now, okay?'

'On one condition' she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and looking right into his curious face. 'You have to promise me that no matter how far away you go, you won't ever forget me'

'I promise' he said and hugged her tightly. 'I promise I won't forget you Rach, no matter how far I go' Dean told her firmly and honestly…

Rachel was brought from her thoughts by a sound outside. She had just finished the dishes and looked out the window in front of her. A yellow school bus had pulled up outside so she dried her hands and went to the door, opening it and grinning at the young boy that approached her.

'Hey mum' the ten-year-old smiled at her and walked inside.

'You have a good day, Aiden?' she asked him since she knew it was his last day of the term and tomorrow was the start of the holidays.

'It was okay' Aiden shrugged and dumped his schoolbag beside the couch, settling himself on it and turning on the TV.

Rachel nodded and knew she had to keep up a bright face for now but a decision would have to be reached very soon since the homeowner had given them until this next week to move out, which was very short notice.

'Something wrong?' Aiden asked, noticing the look on her face.

Rachel didn't know if she should tell him the truth or make up some story as to why he was going to have to leave all his friends and this school…again.

'No' she lied and gave him a smile. 'Everything's fine' she sighed and went back to the kitchen to get him something to eat.

'Okay' Aiden said and turned back to the cartoons.

Rachel watched him and bit her lip. Normally she and Aiden were so close that the only time he would just drop his concern like that was because he was sure she would never lie to him unless it was severely important.

'Actually' she gave in and Aiden turned back to look at her. 'We need to talk'

Aiden nodded and turned the TV off, watching his mum as she sat on the coffee table in front of him.

'I got a call today. Um, you remember Mr Collinwood?'

'Yeah' Aiden nodded. 'The fat guy that owns this place?'

'Yeah' she nodded, not bothering to get up him for the name calling this time. 'Well, he has decided to sell this place'

'Oh' Aiden said in realization. 'So…what will happen to us? Are we moving again, mum?'

'We have to' she admitted with a nod. 'But don't worry, everything is going to be just fine Aiden'

'That's what you said last time' he rolled his eyes.

'And was I right?' she questioned.

'Well, yeah…until now anyway' he shrugged. 'So where are we going?'

'I haven't decided yet' Rachel told him. 'I'll let you know as soon as I do' she said and then got up, turning to leave.

'Mum?'

'Yeah honey?' she turned back around and saw the curious look on his face, the same look he'd gotten from his father.

'I know we don't talk about dad much, but…' he sighed and seemed hesitant in continuing.

'But what?' she encouraged, although nervously.

'Don't you think it's time…that, you know? I met him?'

'Oh Aiden' Rachel sighed; he did this at least once a year. 'I know how much you want to meet your father…I really do. But you can't, not yet'

'Why not?' Aiden asked, getting a bit angry, as this was always the response he got. 'I'm ten years old mum! I have the right to know my own dad!' He frowned and studied her face but she gave off no clues. 'Why? I mean…is he a criminal? Has he hurt people?' Aiden was practically pleading for answers and did not want to just drop the subject this time.

'No! No, he's a really good person Aiden. He saves lives all the time' she smiled at the memory, but forced herself to focus again. 'That's not what this is about'

'Then what is it about?' the stubborn boy asked. 'Doesn't he love us anymore?'

Rachel knew Aiden was smarter and more mature for his age and perhaps this time he was right and she should try to find Dean again. But telling him the truth and allowing that part of her life back in was going to either hurt them or fix things in their lives, the parts that they missed or never had. But it was a huge risk, because if the got the worst possible scenario, she would never forgive herself.

'Aiden' Rachel sat beside her son, his face searching hers. 'You're right. You are getting older now and he is your dad, but…'

'But what?' he sighed, a bit annoyed. 'Mum? What is it?' he wondered.

'Your dad…he doesn't know about you'

'Doesn't know?' Aiden was shocked now. 'How could he not know that he has a son?'

'This is a lot to tell someone your age, but I don't know how else to say it' Rachel sighed and decided to just get it out. 'When I met your dad, he was traveling with his father…your grandfather. They were…working, and we met. He only stayed for about two months, but during that time we grew very close and the day he left…the day he had to go…well, it was that afternoon that I discovered I was pregnant with you'

Aiden watched for in silence for a moment. He absorbed what she'd said and then nodded. 'Did you love him?' he asked.

Rachel thought for a moment and smiled. 'Yes, Aiden. Very much'

'Did he love you?'

Rachel nodded and noticed Aiden was now getting confused.

'But if you both loved each other…then why did he leave?' the boy wondered.

'He had no choice, and we both knew it would happen' Rachel shrugged, feeling it was an excuse more than a real reason.

'You said he saves people…how?'

Rachel was no going to answer that one. She was not going to even consider a reply…but she owed it to her son to know the truth.

'Do you remember when you were five and said there was something under your bed?'

'Yeah' Aiden nodded, shivering at the memory.

'Well, it was real' she sighed. 'You know how we leave salt everywhere when we go places or how we wear charmed necklaces and wristbands?'

'Yup, they protect us from evil' Aiden replied, although he was not sure what this had to do with anything.

'Exactly. You're dad taught me all that stuff. He gave me a book about how to be protected from evil because he didn't want anything to ever happen to me. Because that's his job, saving people from evil'

'How does he stop the evil? Giving people books?' Aiden raised a skeptical eyebrow.

'Ah no' she almost laughed. 'He hunts them' Rachel replied and knew this was already enough information for one day…and to a ten-year-old!

'What's grandpa like?' Aiden then asked, seemingly out of nowhere.

'He's…okay' Rachel shrugged, even though John kind of freaked her out with his serious expressions and gravely voice.

'And Grandma?'

'She's…she past away when your dad was only four-years-old'

'Oh. We have something in common! I don't have a dad…he doesn't have a mum' Aiden smiled a little, although him not being here doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't have a father.

'Oh you have much more in common then that Aiden. Your spiky, sandy-coloured hair…your love for cars and even the way you talk sometimes'

'Really?' Aiden's eyes lit up, with a sense of joy in his voice…or hope. 'Anything else?'

'Ah, the way you dress…those jeans and black t-shirt and jacket' Rachel looked at her son's happy face and it dawn on her. She couldn't keep denying Aiden the one thing he always wanted just because she was too scared to face Dean again. Maybe losing this house wasn't just another bump in the road for them, but a sign.

'You know what? You're right Aiden…and I think we can do this. Go upstairs and pack right now. I know where we're going'

'Really? Where?' Aiden asked as he got up.

'We're going to find your dad' She told him, because after ten years…enough is enough!

3000 miles away, in an old motel…

Sam yawned a little and glanced away from his emails to watch his brother grinning at one of the waitresses in the bar. He sighed and looked away once he saw Dean finally coming over with their drinks.

'Haven't you ever actually considered dating someone? Having a future?' He asked, looking at him.

'Dude, our job. The only future I can give is the next morning' Dean sighed and saw Sam rolling his eyes, turning back to the Laptop.

'I…' Dean sighed and Sam looked back at him in interest. 'Ah nothing' Dean shook his head and sipped his beer.

'What?' Sam asked, feeling there was more to his answer.

'Nothing…it's just. Yeah okay! I would like a future, Sam…but this job, you know?'

'Well yeah' Sam replied. 'But that doesn't mean we should just shut out all possibility, Dean'

'I know man, but seriously? I don't see it happening'

Sam knew that was where the conversation ended and turned back to his emails.

Dean laughed nervously for a moment then. 'What future can I have anyway, Sam?' he asked sadly. 'I'm gonna die in a couple months'

'Don't remind me' Sam muttered and was then truly done with that conversation.

Meanwhile…

'How are you gonna tell him?' Aiden wondered.

'I don't know yet, but you let me worry about that' Rachel replied as she waited for the red light to turn green, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

Aiden nodded and turned back to the comic book that sat open on his lap.

'If we find him…can we be a real family?'

'Aiden please…not now' Rachel sighed and silence filled the car again as the green light flashed and she drove onto the highway.

She drove for a few hours until she saw Aiden had fallen asleep. She parked the car on the side of the road slowly and got out. She pressed buttons on her cell phone quickly and place it to her ear.

'Hello? Oh Kara, hey!' she smiled anxiously. 'Ah yeah, I need a favor…there's someone I want you to locate for me'

Aiden opened his eyes and the first thing he noticed was that the car was parked and his mother wasn't anywhere in sight.

'Mum?' he panicked and then spotted her coming out of an office nearby. Only then Aiden realized they were at a motel and that is was dark.

'We're staying here for the night' Rachel announced since it was starting to get very late and she knew Aiden needed some proper rest, plus she could do with some sleep herself.

They got settled into room 21 and after their showers and some take away, Aiden was fast asleep in his bed. Rachel breathed in relief and grabbed her phone. She crept outside and stood a few meters from the room. She had made sure the door was shut properly and that Aiden wouldn't overhear if he woke up.

Rachel stared at the phone in her hand and couldn't believe this was the method she was going to go through with. She nervously dialed the number Kara had given her and tried to ignore the way her hands trembled. She listened to the ringing as well as the sounds of her petrified heartbeats.

'Hello?' came a sleepy voice after the third ring.

'Ah…um, hello' Rachel took a deep breath and regained herself. 'Is this Sam Winchester?'

'Yeah' he replied. 'Who's this?'

'I doubt you'll remember me' Rachel replied. 'We only met once and you were about…' she quickly did the math. 'Maybe…fifteen? Ten years ago'

'Okay…' Sam sounded confused now. 'Then, why are you calling?'

'I knew your brother Dean' Rachel admitted. 'It's been ten years since I saw him and I know this seems like a strange time to call, after all this time. And the reason I'm talking to you and not him is because I'm just…I'm too scared'

'Scared? Of what?' Sam asked, now interested.

'How he'll react' Rachel could not believe she was practically spilling her soul to a boy she met once and that was when he was a teenager…ten years ago!

'React to what?' Sam asked, trying to pry more information from her, although it was more like he was just repeating what she was saying.

Rachel opened her mouth to reply when the motel room door opened and she decided to just let Sam listen in.

'You okay?' she asked Aiden and Sam thought she was talking to him but then heard a young boy reply.

'I woke up and you were gone' Aiden rubbed his eyes. 'What are you doing?'

'I'm on the phone' Rachel told him like it was kinda obvious, which it was.

'Did you find my dad?' Aiden asked hopefully, since it was very late and she was being a bit secretive about this one phone call.

'Not exactly' Rachel replied. 'Go back to bed Aiden, I'll be there in a minute'

'Okay' Aiden said while yawning. He went back into the room and shut the door behind him.

'You still there, Sam?' Rachel checked.

'Ah…yeah' Sam nodded, very confused and his mind was thinking up all sorts of scenarios.

'I was just talking to my son, he's ten years old' Rachel said, dropping a hint and hoped Sam got it, but the silence was very confirming. 'Okay look, ten years ago you, Dean and your dad were doing some job at the town I lived in and I met your brother the first day as he rented out a motel room for the three of you. You all stayed there for two months and during that entire time I went out with Dean'

'You dated…for two whole months?' Sam asked, shocked that Dean went out with someone longer than Cassie and Dean had loved Cassie.

'Yeah, we did' Rachel sighed, wondering why Sam seemed shocked. 'I got to go, but my name is Rachel Barring. Ask Dean…he'll tell you who I am. He remembers me…I know he does'

'How do you know?' Sam asked curiously.

'He promised' Rachel said and then hung up. Not being able to take it anymore, she slid to the ground and just cried. Aiden heard her sobs and rushed outside.

'Mum! Mum? Are you okay?' he asked but she didn't reply. He sat beside her and just hugged her while she cried.

Sam stared at the phone in his hands and then jumped as Dean came into the motel room.

'What?' Dean asked, seeing how Sam had practically leapt off his bed at his return and was now looking at him as if he had no idea who he was. 'Sammy?'

'Who's Rachel Barring?' Sam asked right away and Dean's face turned almost pale. He dumped the stuff he was carrying on the table and sat on his bed. He stared hard at the floor, not looking at Sam at all.

'Where did you hear that name?' Dean asked, his voice guarded and tense, which meant this, was a sensitive topic but he was going to at least try and talk about it.

'She called, just now' Sam admitted.

'What?' Dean looked at him in shock, getting up. 'She called you?!'

'Yeah, who is she?' Sam repeated his question.

'I…no one' Dean shrugged and sat back down.

'No one? Dean, she said you went out with her ten years ago…for two whole months!'

'Yeah, so?' Dean frowned, a bit embarrassed.

'Ten years…'Sam then muttered and thought it was a bit strange since she said she had a ten-year-old son.

'She really called you?' Dean asked, looking up and his expression was…strange.

'Yeah' Sam nodded. 'She said she called me because she was too scared of how you'd react' Sam remembered.

'React to what?'

'She didn't say' Sam sighed. 'But I met her?'

'Ah…yeah, it was just once. I was with her and then you and Dad found me. So I introduced her and yeah' Dean shrugged like it was nothing. 'She gave you a free lunch because you were hungry. Dad and I had some researching to do and you were bored so Rachel let you hang out with her for the day. I think you said you went to see a movie or something'

'Wow' Sam shook his head. 'And you went out with her for two months?'

'There something wrong with that?' Dean frowned.

'No! No…it's just so…unlike you, man'

Dean nodded and looked away, a calm expression on his face. Which to Sam seemed almost like he was about to smile at whatever he was thinking about.

'Did you love her, Dean?' Sam then asked and Dean gave a quick laugh.

'Don't start that again' Dean got up from the bed and went through his shopping bag.

'You did, didn't you? Why else would you date someone for two months? I mean…you loves Cassie and went out for her for a few weeks-'

'Drop it' Dean then snapped. 'I don't…I don't want to talk about it' he said, his voice sounding slightly broken and sad.

Sam nodded and went silent, but then something was nagging him and he just had to say it, because if he didn't then Dean might kill him if he brought this topic up ever again.

'One more thing Dean…ah, I think you have a son'

Dena's head whipped around to look at Sam in shock. 'What?'

'It was ten years ago…she has a ten-year-old son, Aiden or something' Sam explained the evidence behind his theory. 'I mean think about it: It has been ten years…why call now?'

Dean stared at the floor and was quiet for several minutes before going through his bag and dashing to the bathroom.

'Dean?' Sam questioned in concern.

'Shower!' Dean snapped and slammed the bathroom door.

The motel room was silent once more…

Author's notes: Well there is is! The first chapter! Please let me know what you think of Aiden, Rachel and/or the fic. Or any ideas you have, speculations...anything at all! What you would like to see, what you think is a no-go...parts that were good in this chapter, or parts not so good and why...whatever comes to mind. Reviews are my motivation and they help to improve the story etc.
Please review guys!

-Mel