Dean sat up in the darkness, glancing around the motel room. The hunt had been difficult earlier that night. He could have sworn that he and Sam had made sure nothing could get into the room. Then again, humans could walk across salt barriers. Staring at the figure near the end of his bed. "Dad?" He asked tentatively. Last time their father had appeared in their motel room things had ended up badly and they had been split up. It had hurt so much. Then John turned and met his son's eyes.
Shooting up from his bed "Dad!" he moved toward his father's open arms, his own open as well. Reaching his father, he went right through, and the image disappeared like a cloud of smoke. His father was gone.
Sitting up in his bed, Dean pressed his hand over his mouth, stifling sobs. He could feel the tears coursing down his cheeks - to his own chagrin, and prayed that Sammy would continue sleeping.
Trading his soul for Sammy's hadn't been so bad initially. There had always been the hope that he might find his father in hell. It was a stupid wish, but he'd always done as his father had asked. He had protected, and saved his brother. But his father had broken free of hell. Helped them kill the yellow eyed demon. And he was gone. He always looked after Sammy. "Yeah dad, you know I will..."
Sam woke up, rolling over to look at Dean.
"Hey, Sammy?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think dad's lookin' out for us?"
"Yeah Dean, I know he is."