A/N: Before you start reading, let me say this is not my usual type of storyline. We have the Winchester family but no supernatural monsters in this universe. There are the well known characters and OC's that I have developed just for this story. I'm trying to expand my writing and wanted to take a shot at a totally different kind of plot. Some may not like it, but I hope you will give it a read and offer your opinion. It's not going to be a long story, so I'm making the chapters longer. Whether you like it or not, please take a moment to leave me a review with your thoughts. NC

Disclaimer: Do not own Supernatural and this is of my own creation.

Chapter 1

He shifted in the bus seat trying to get more comfortable as the huge, lumbering vehicle made its way down the highway. He had been traveling by bus for the past 24 hours and it was starting to get on his nerves. He never liked closed in, confined spaces and being trapped with this many strangers was not to his liking. At least the bus wasn't full and he could seat himself away from most of the other passengers. It seemed they sensed that this young man did not want to be disturbed and left him alone or it could be they were afraid of his hulking form and the uniform he wore. He was dressed in camouflage fatigues, combat boots and matching hat. He had no badges on his uniform to tell what branch of service he was in or what rank he had because it was all classified. His father had been a Marine and when he got out had courted his Mom and asked her to marry him. Several years after their marriage he had come alone and four years after that his kid brother joined the family. A very strong bond formed between the brothers from the very beginning. It was much stronger than what most siblings achieve in a lifetime. He looked out for his little brother, never shunning him or excluding him from anything he did. It was like the brothers could communicate without even talking; like they could sense each other's thoughts. The younger brother idolized his older brother and tried to be just like him. They were a happy family until one fall day when his mother and little brother were walking back from the library tragedy struck in the form of a stray bullet. She had been protecting her youngest son from the violence and paid the ultimate price. His mother had been killed in a drive by shooting when he was sixteen, just two months shy of his seventh birthday, and that changed his life forever.

His father was never the same after it happened and his kid brother faded away, disappearing into the background. He had tried to help his younger brother after the shooting, but nothing he said or did seemed to get through to him. Dean was sure his brother blamed himself for their Mom's death by some of the heated arguments they had had before he left. Sam turned moody, acted out, was belligerent, sulked and isolated himself as much as he could. Several times they had almost come to blows, but Dean stopped himself before that could happen. Their father tried, but his own grief overwhelmed him and he was of no help to either of his sons. Not able to take was happening to his family any longer; he snuck away and joined the Marines. The young man had lied about his age and enlisted in the service when he was seventeen and now, eight years later he was heading to a home he didn't know. When he left home the one thing he regretted was not being able to take Sam too. Dean had left a grief stricken, bitter, angry, chip on his shoulder teenager, but was returning a strong, confident, responsible, hard nosed Marine and a natural leader for his team. The first few weeks after getting out, he had wandered around the country trying to decide what he was going to do. He finally decided he couldn't put it off any longer, that he needed to go see his Dad and brother and try to put his family back together again.

There had only been a few letters from home over the past eight years that he had been away. He actually received more from a family friend, Bobby Singer, than from his father and brother. He still remembered going to Bobby's and playing with his younger brother among the stacks of wrecked vehicles. That was a much happier time in his life. He learned that his kid brother got into some trouble in their home town, Lawrence, Kansas, and they had moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to live with Bobby. His father worked for him in his salvage yard and garage that he ran, but he knew nothing of his kid brother. He had a bad feeling that things were not good for him and he blamed himself for that. He wasn't there for him, to protect him, guide him, teach him and that was something he was going to have to live with and hopefully change for the future. He looked up as the bus pulled off the main highway and eased into a rest area.

"Alright folks, you got a twenty minute break here to stretch your legs and get something from the machines." the bus driver told them opening the door for those who wanted to get off.

The young man waited for the others to depart before getting up and exiting the bus too. He headed for the restrooms first and then the machines to get something to drink and snack on. Several other passengers milled around the machines but gave the ex-soldier a wide berth as they got their purchases and headed back to the bus. He didn't linger at the machines, but got his purchases and made his way back to the bus ever scanning his surroundings for any danger that might be lurking in the night. The habit was one of many instilled in him over the last eight years and was a habit that he didn't think would ever be broken. He was on the last leg of his journey and expected to be pulling into Sioux Falls in the early morning hours. He didn't know what awaited him there, if anything and took his seat once again getting settled for the rest of the ride.

spn

His eyes snapped open quickly and he was awake in the blink of an eye as the motion of the bus changed around him. It was slowing down and making several turns as it pulled into the station at Sioux Falls. He let his eyes wander over the outside area as the air brakes hissed and the bus rolled to a stop.

"Sioux Falls, thank you for traveling Grey Hound and we hope you will use our service again." the driver announced as he stood and opened the door to allow them to exit.

After everyone else got off, he made his way down the aisle and stepped from the bus waiting for the driver to open the compartments to get his duffle. He swung the heavy duffle and his rifle case over his shoulders and walked toward the more active part of town to get his bearings and hitchhike out to the salvage yard. Traffic was still light this early in the morning and he decided getting a ride might be a problem so he began to walk down the road toward his destination. The young soldier had only been walking for twenty minutes when the sound of a vehicle behind him had him stepping off the road onto the shoulder out of the way. He glanced back to see a sheriff's car stopping and flipping on his lights.

"Hello there soldier, where you headed?" a female voice asked as a deputy stepped up to the front of the car to look him over.

"Singer Salvage Yard; I hope I'm headed in the right direction." he replied. "It's been a long time since I've been there."

"Well you are headed right, it's about five more miles down this road and hang a right can't miss it." she told him. "How do you know Bobby Singer? You related to him?"

"He's a family friend. My Dad and brother are staying with him."

"I think I've met him a while back, tall fellow, dark hair, serious attitude?"

"Yeah, that was probably him."

"Well get in and I'll give you a lift." she offered.

"Oh no that's ok Deputy. I don't wanna bother you." Dean said declining her offer.

"Nothing doing, you've been serving your country; the least I can do is drive you the five miles there. Now I insist." she said in a put more authority in her voice. "You can put your things in the back."

"Yes ma'am." he nodded a small smile crossing his face for a moment making him look younger than he was.

The deputy started her vehicle and pulled back onto the road, heading for the salvage yard. She didn't try to make small talk with the soldier getting a sense he wasn't one for small talk. He had a serious, determined look on his face and his eyes seemed haunted with unspeakable horrors that would never be spoken of. She had know other soldiers that had come back from overseas and knew it was sometimes hard for them to adjust to civilian life again. It didn't take her long to turn onto the road that the salvage yard was on.

"You can drop me off here, save you from going all the way there." he told her recognizing the area and knew Bobby's was just down the road.

"Suit yourself. You tell Bobby I said hello, name's Jody Mills." she said stopping on the side of the road to let him out.

"Thanks for the lift and I will. You have a good day Deputy Mills."

"The same to you." she said watching the young man for a moment as he trudged down the road away from her.

spn

His steps slowed as he paused outside the entrance to Bobby's. Drawing in a deep breath, he continued on wondering if anyone was up this early in the morning. If he remembered right, he thought Bobby was an early riser and the dim light shining from several windows proved him right. He took the three steps up to the porch and sat his duffle down before knocking on the door. Movement could be heard from inside as the door was jerked open and a grumpy looking older man glared at him.

"Help ya?" he growled at the young man not recognizing him at first.

"Hey Bobby, it's been a long time. Is my Dad and brother here?" he asked hoping he would remember him.

The older man stared hard at the young man in front of him as the wheels in his brain began to turn trying to place him.

"Dean is that you?" he finally asked in a cautious voice. "Yer Dad said you joined up, glad you made it back in one piece. Gotta say you're looking fit there boy." he said taking in his strong physical appearance.

"Yes." Dean replied giving him a crooked half smile. "Me too."

"Well come on in, it's good to see you son." he said stepping aside for him to enter.

Dean picked up his duffle and stepped into the house looking around for a moment before sitting his things down and following Bobby to the kitchen. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee still lingered in the air.

"Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Sounds good." he said taking a seat at the table. "Black's fine."

"I was just getting ready to make breakfast, care to join me?"

"Is my Dad and brother still here?" Dean asked again getting a sense he was avoiding the question.

"They were here son." Bobby said sadly. "You see, like I wrote to you, your brother got into some trouble back in Lawrence and John wanted to get him away from everything so I offered a place here. I hate to be the one to have to tell ya this. They were here up 'til 'bout two months ago. Sam ran away and John went after him. The last I heard from John was two weeks ago and I haven't been able to get a hold of him since."

"What do you mean Sammy ran away?" Dean questioned sitting up more alert now.

"That boy...He was so mixed up and confused and lost...John and I both tried to help him but he wouldn't have anything to do with us. After you left it seems he got in with the wrong crowd and it changed him." Bobby relayed sadly. "There were drugs involved and some gang problems."

"Sonovabitch." Dean spat out in disbelief, never dreaming things would be this bad. "Damn fool kid...What was he thinking?"

"That's just it; I don't think he was thinking straight. After yer Momma got killed and then you left it was too much for the boy and it didn't help that yer Daddy was having his own issues with the loss." Bobby tried to explain to the young man. "I called the cops there but they couldn't find any leads."

"Do you have a car I could borrow for a while? I came in on a bus."

"Yeah, I think I got one you can use. It may not be a looker, but it'll get ya there. The engine's still good."

"Alright, I need to make some calls, can I borrow your phone, don't own one. Then I'm taking a nap. You still got twins in one of those bedrooms upstairs?"

"Yep, you're welcome to it. Phone's in my office off the living room. After I eat, I'll be in the garage out back being sure that car's running ok. Help yerself to anything in the kitchen."

"Thanks, I'll be leaving out early in the morning." he said getting up and heading for Bobby's office.

spn

The bitter taste of the coffee still lingered in his mouth as he dropped into the office chair and rubbed his face with a rough, callused hand. This was not the homecoming he was expecting and now he had to find both his father and little brother. He picked up the phone and dialed a number from memory, waiting for it to connect and transfer through two more servers before it started to ring. On the third ring a male voice answered the call.

"I don't know how you got this number but lose it."

"Chill Trace I need your help." Dean said before he could hang up.

Trace was one of the Marines that he had worked with the last five years he served. He had been given a team of the best of the best for the missions they were assigned. Trace was a computer genus and the best tracker Dean had ever seen; Nitro was an explosive expert and their medic, Shadow was a master of deception and could break into anything with a lock and Dean, the leader of the group, was a sniper of the highest caliber and the planner for the team. He could sort through the best scenarios for a mission with the efficiency of a dozen other experts. His team teased him that he had a computer for a brain. They were all experts at hand to hand combat, using numerous weapons and quickly learned each others quirks and how to work together as one unit. Together they made a team that was deadly and called upon for the most dangerous black ops missions that civilians would never know about. The team had been code named Smoke because they could infiltrate, accomplish their mission and disappear like a puff of smoke. These four soldiers were heroes in every sense of the word, rescuing and saving numerous people, but there would be no recognition bestowed on them for their bravery since records of their missions were top secret and flagged from the records. These three comrades in arms became Dean's team and his family.

"Gunny! How ya doing?" Trace asked, the tone of his voice changing to one of friendship and respect.

"You know, trying to adjust. Look I need you to check something out for me."

"Anything, you know that."

"It seems my father and little brother have gone missing and I need you to see what you can find out. Start in Lawrence, Kansas, that's where they were last seen."

"Names?"

"John and Sam Winchester."

"Give me a few hours and I'll get back to you."

"Can you email it to a friend's address?"

"Sure thing, give it to me."

" , all one word." Dean rattled off. "I can be reached at this number today, I'm heading out early in the morning for Lawrence."

"You know you need to get a cell bro, or at least an email address; it'd make things easier."

"Not happening, be waiting to hear from you and Trace no footprints." Dean cautioned him.

"Anything for a brother in arms and don't worry 'bout me, never be found yet." Trace said hanging up.

"Thanks brother."

Dean hung up and when he got a dial tone again, he dialed another number listening to it ring.

"Yeah?" a female voice grunted out of breath.

"Hey Little Wolf, blown anything up lately?" Dean purred into the phone a quirky smile on his face and affection in his voice. After their first mission together, he had given her that nickname that only he used. She was cunning, strong, a thinker and could be very deadly when provoked.

"What do you think Gunny? How's it going?" Nitro replied in her smooth, silky voice that Dean remembered so well. "Good timing, I just came in from a run."

"Lucky me. Look if I need some backup in a few days are you game?"

"Do you even have to ask Gunny? Tell me where and when and I'll be there." she answered a bit of excitement showing in her voice.

"Think you can track Shadow down for me and see if he's up for one more mission?"

"Of course I can and you already know what his answer will be. How 'bout Trace? Do I need to contact him?"

"No, already talked to him. Thanks, I may be seeing you soon."

"Will do Gunny, we'll come fully loaded."

"That's my girl."

spn

The bedroom was as he remembered, except the beds had different spreads on them. He scanned the room and saw remnants of his brother scattered around it. There was a rumpled tee shirt tossed in a corner, a couple of books laying on the nightstand and some bathroom things sitting on the dresser. His heart tightened in his chest, making it hard to breathe as he wondered what had happened to his baby brother and his Dad. The guilt was weighing heavily on him but he pushed it aside knowing it wouldn't do them any good. He needed to bring his A game out and find out what happened to them. He sat his things down and went to the bed nearest the door sitting down on it to stare at the other twin bed. Knowing there was nothing he could do here, he stretched out on the bed and pulled in a couple of deep breaths before closing his eyes and letting his body shut down, but not completely off. Once a Marine always a Marine and you never completely turn it off. His breathing slowed and his body rested but his mind kept on working. He set his internal clock to wake in four hours and listened to the new sounds surrounding him, getting a feel for the place once again.

spn

Bobby looked up when he heard footsteps on the stairs four and a half hours later. He sized Dean up as he strolled into the room, hair still damp from a shower and now in jeans, tee shirt and button up over shirt. Dean made a bee line for the coffee pot and poured a cup for himself.

"Making me a sandwich for lunch, you want one?" he asked as he added cheese and the second piece of bread to his.

"I can make my own." Dean said moving to the counter where the makings were. "Don't want anyone waiting on me." he added looking over the food for a moment before assembling his own sandwich.

"I printed out some things from my email for you. It's on the table."

"Right, had a friend check some things out. Hope you don't mind me using your email, don't have one of my own."

"It's fine, do I want to know how you got that stuff?" he questioned cautiously.

"Probably not." he replied in a soft, sure voice.

"There's tea or beer in the fridge if you like."

"Thanks." he mumbled.

It had been a very long time since Bobby had seen Dean and he studied him closely catching the military stance and tension in his body language. This was not the same quiet boy he remembered from visits in the past. He could see the hooded secrets in his eyes and wondered just what he did in the military. The few letters he received from the young man never hinted to anything, but he knew from the postmarks that Dean was overseas most of his tour.

"So...What have you been doing these past years?"

"This and that, whatever my mission was." Dean replied trying to be as vague as he could. "Most was classified and I can't talk about it."

"I see, so...How long ya been out?"

"Not long." he shrugged not giving any further details.

"So what ya plan on doing?" Bobby questioned.

"I'm gonna go find my family." he offered as an answer as he joined Bobby at the table with a sandwich and beer.

Bobby saw the steely harshness and darkness that came over Dean's features and wondered just what he did do in the service. He could see an unworried, almost friendly look, but looking closer he could see a bleak, very dangerous expression along with wisdom and primitive, somewhat predatory nature. He emitted the air of a very dangerous man that you did not want to cross and Bobby felt sure if anyone could find the missing Winchesters it would be this young man.

"Anything I can do to help, you just have to tell me." Bobby stated in a serious, determined voice.

"I appreciate that." Dean answered giving Bobby a quick glance before looking back at his beer and taking a sip. He was moved that Bobby wanted to help, but what he might have to do needed to be done without an audience.

"Got that car for ya. It's gassed and ready to go."

"Thanks, I'll be heading out early in the morning. Can't say when I'll get it back to you, but I will."

"Don't never mind, use it as long as you need son."

"While I'm going over this information, mind if I throw a load of clothes in?"

"Hell no, we may not have seen each other in a while, but think of this as your home too. Use whatever you need."

"I'll be leaving most of my things here so I can travel light."

"They'll be right where you leave them. Just do me one favor."

"Sure Bobby what?"

"Will you keep in touch and let me know what's going on?"

"I will do my best." he said with a brief nod. "I'm gonna get those dirty clothes and get that done."

"You should find everything you need on the shelf above the washer and dryer." Bobby commented watching the young man head for the stairs as a heaviness settled over his heart.

spn

"You be careful out there son, no telling what you might run into." Bobby told Dean as he settled into the driver's seat of the Chevy. Bobby was right, it wasn't much to look at, but when he cranked it he could hear the smooth running engine come to life.

"Don't worry I will and I'll be in touch." Dean replied backing out and heading for the road. He had already mapped the trip out and figured it would take about six hours or so to get to Lawrence. He headed for Interstate 29 that was a straight shot south and what he would be traveling most of the way. It still felt off to him being out of the service, but he knew it was time. If he was completely honest with himself, some little seed of concern started blossoming about two months ago that his little brother was in trouble and he needed to help him. By what Bobby had said that was about the time Sam disappeared. Not knowing what type of welcome he would get from his Dad and brother, Dean packed up his meager belongings and started making his way toward Sioux Falls.

From what he had read in the information Trace had sent, it seemed both of them had vanished without a trace. There had been no credit card activity, cell phones turned off, no social media activity, nothing to show what had happened to them. The last contact of any kind was his Dad calling Bobby from Lawrence a couple of weeks ago and that was it. At least he had a starting point; Trace had found information about the gang Sam had gotten mixed up with. They called themselves the Propios del Diablo, the Devil's Own and from what the report said they had pretty much taken over Lawrence from the other small gangs in the area. He was already working on a plan on how to get to the supposedly boss and extract what he needed. He didn't spend five years being invisible to not of learned a few tricks along the way.

spn

A brewing storm hit when Dean was over halfway to Lawrence engulfing the landscape in a heavy downpour that made visibility tricky. Dean kept a steady speed and concentrated on the traffic around him not wanting to end up in any fender benders. He found a radio station to check the weather wanting to see what it was like ahead of him. It looked like the storm was moving eastward and wasn't dipping down far enough to hit Lawrence so he hoped to run out of it soon. He was making good time since the traffic was light that time of the morning, but he was cautious not to speed. He didn't want to explain the weapons he was carrying in the trunk if the cops were to search the vehicle. After another forty miles, Dean could see a break in the clouds and the rain had lessened considerably making the driving easier. He was going to need gas soon and to hit the head so he hoped to be out of the rain by the time he needed to stop.

A few rays of sunlight escaped from around the rolling grey clouds ahead of him almost like a guiding light to show him the way. Dean caught a glimpse of a rainbow off to the left and hoped that was a good omen. The rain had finally let up now and he saw a sign for a truck stop five miles down the road and decided it was as good a place as any to stop for gas and a short break. He wanted to call Trace and have him check out a notion that had come to him earlier.

The truck stop was fairly busy as he eased the car up to the pumps and got out to fill her with gas. Once that task was done, Dean found a parking spot off to the side of the entrance and parked. He got out and headed inside, first to the restrooms and then to the cafe that was next door to get something to eat. He had found these eating joints usually had decent food and a good selection. He waited to be seated opting for a booth away from the other patrons. He ordered coffee and quickly looked through the menu while the waitress went to get him a cup of coffee. When she returned, he ordered the breakfast special with extra bacon. He had always had a weakness for bacon, even at an early age. Dean watched the patrons around him without really watching and waited for his food to arrive. He didn't have to wait long and dug into the food, nodding to the waitress when she asked if he would like a refill on coffee. He ate quickly, not able to break old habits of the last five years when at times he didn't know when he would be eating again. Anxious to get back on the road, he signaled the waitress for his check and pulled some money from his pocket. Once he looked at the total, Dean laid money on the table adding a tip before getting up and heading for a sign stating phones.

Dean fished money from his jean's pocket and fed it into a pay phone and punched in a number. After four rings a male voice answered.

"I'm guessing that's you Gunny, no one else would be using a pay phone in this day and age." Trace grunted.

"Yep, just had a thought that you need to check out before I get to Lawrence."

"I'm listening."

"Check the locals, DEA, FBI, anyone that might have planted a mole in that gang. Don't wanna be shot by a good guy or accidentally take him out."

"Good one, I'll get right on it. Give me a couple of hours."

"Thanks bro, I owe you."

"I'd say I still owe you Gunny, but I'm not keeping score." he said hanging up on Dean to get to work.

Dean huffed at his statement and hung up the phone. He went through the store and got a couple bottles of water, jerky, nuts and added a slice of pie. With his bag in hand, he headed back to the car to continue his journey toward Lawrence.