Disclaimer: I own nothing recognizable in the following story. But I may lay claim to anything not recognizable.

Author's note: Ok this was supposed to start yesterday. But due to some technical difficulties with my internet connection I didn't quite make it. The goal here is to post one chapter per day. I'm several chapers ahead of myself so we'll see how this goes. Day 2 is also ready and will be posted as soon as this goes through. This is much longer than my previous story. I hope you enjoy. Thanks to lynxlan for the beta.

Oh and I'm sure I've used a quote from another author in this story. I can't remember now where I saw it but thank you for the rifle comment as it fit quiet nicely. When I figure it out I'll post a proper thanks.

And lastly to be clear Dean's 9 and Sammy's 5.

Feed the need and review.

Trust and Faith

by infinite shadow

Day 1 December 5

"Pastor Jim! Pastor Jim!" Sammy yelled at the top of his lungs as he burst into the kitchen.

"Remember to use your inside voice Sammy," Dean warned as he came in behind him and closed the door.

Pastor Jim came into the kitchen wearing jeans and t-shirt. "Hey guys. About time you two came in. I thought we were going to have to dig you out of the snow and then defrost you."

Sammy giggled. "Dean and I made a snow fort! Come and see!" The boy said as he grabbed the cleric's hand and tried to pull him towards the door.

"Hey Sammy you're hands are very cold. Would you like some hot chocolate before I go outside with you?" Jim suggested as he looked down at the red weather chapped hands.

"Really? Dean too?" Sammy asked.

"I don't know Sammy," Dean said looking like he was giving it serious consideration. He pulled off his jacket and gloves.

Sammy let go of the pastor's hand and rushed over to his brother. "C'mon Dean! Hot chocolate is our favourite hot drink! You know you want it!" He said with a huge grin on his face.

Dean shook his head. "Yeah but you're already very hyper. Just think what adding more chocolate will do to you."

Sammy just stood there grinning up at his brother. "We could build another fort and and and a snow man! No a whole snow family!" he all but shouted.

"Ok! Ok! Sammy geez take it down a notch will ya?" Dean said trying to be stern but was smiling anyway. "Two hot chocolates please Pastor Jim."

"Woohoo!" Sammy yelled.

Dean shook his head and removed his brother's scarf then unzipped his jacket. He started to remove his jacket when he noticed Sammy's raw hands.

"Sammy what happened to your gloves?" Dean asked concerned. He put the two small hands between his own and rubbed them gently to warm them up.

"Outside. I took 'em off. They made it too hard to put the snow fort together," Sammy said pulling his hands out of his brother's. "It's ok. They don't hurt."

Dean sighed and helped his little brother take off his jacket and boots. He looked over to where the pastor was busily putting together the fixings for the hot drink. "Pastor Jim?"

The man turned. "Yes?"

"Um Sammy's hands are kinda raw. Do you have something we can put on them?" Dean asked softly watching Sammy rush over to pet Jim's sheltie Angel.

Jim plugged in the kettle and moved over to the boy. Dean stood there still in his wet jacket focused on his little brother playing with the dog.

"Hey they're just a little chapped. I've got some hand cream that will look after it quite nicely," he said softly to the boy then ruffled his damp hair. "Get out of those wet things and then help me mop up the water on the floor, ok?"

Dean nodded and quickly shucked his outdoor clothing. He picked up a dish cloth and made quick work of cleaning up the water off the floor. He looked over to check on his brother as Angel began to bark. Sammy laughed and he could hear Jim pouring water into the mugs. He sat back against the cupboard doors soaking in warmth emanating from the room then quickly stood up as John walked into the room.

"Daddy! Dean and I made a snow fort! Wanna see it?" Sammy said rushing over to his Dad.

"Maybe later tiger," he said as he scooped up his youngest child. "Hey you're kinda cold."

"We've got the cure for that coming right up," Jim said as he put two cups of hot chocolate onto the table.

Sammy tried to squirm out of his Dad's grasp when John noticed the raw hands.

"Sammy what happened to your hands?" he asked.

"Took off my mittens. They made it too hard to make the snow fort," Sammy complained and squirmed harder to get down.

John nodded and carried him over to the table. He put the boy down into the chair and immediately the boy started to swing his legs between the rungs of the chair. As he sat down next to him John accepted the cup of coffee Jim placed down in front of him.

Sammy picked up the mug with both hands and slurped happily at the warm treat.

"Sammy don't slurp," Dean admonished softly as he watched his brother lick the chocolate moustache from his upper lip. He sat across from Sammy and Jim sat next to him at the table.

"Ok," Sammy said as he wiped his face on the back of his sleeve.

Dean sighed quietly and smiled at his brother slightly. He shook his head slightly and made a mental note to do some laundry after Sammy went to bed.

"So you don't think it's important for Sammy's hands to stay covered while playing in the snow?" John asked casually pinning his oldest with a hard stare.

"I didn't see him take them off sir," Dean said sitting back in his chair leaving the sweet warm treat on the table. He looked back at his father and would not let himself look away from the challenging look. Shivering slightly he wished he could reach out for the hot chocolate but knew he wouldn't until his father let this go.

Jim put a hand on Dean's shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze. "Sammy's old enough to know that he needs to keep his mittens on while playing outside in this weather. Don't you Sammy?"

Sammy had been looking back and forth between his Dad and brother. "Yes sir."

"Dean is responsible for him when I'm not around," John said.

Jim noticed that the older boy hadn't touched his hot chocolate and he inched it closer to him. He could tell the young man was cold from being outside by the way his hands were trembling slightly on his thighs.

"Drink your hot chocolate before it gets cold," Jim said gently and after a long pause he decided to change the subject. "Do you think now would be a good time to tell them?"

John sighed and looked down into his coffee but didn't say anything.

"Tell us what Daddy?" Sammy asked then took another sip of his hot chocolate.

"Good a time as any I suppose," John said softly.

Dean leaned forward and wrapped his hand around the warm mug. He smiled slightly anticipating the rich hot drink. He blew slightly on the drink before he took a long drink of the delicious liquid.

"Dean you're coming with me on the next hunt," John said softly.

Dean eyes widened in shock and he choked on the hot chocolate. Jim thumped him on his back allowing his throat to open up and the boy sucked down a breath before coughing some more.

"Me too?" Sammy asked his face earnest. Then he looked back at his brother.

Dean sat there looking at his father. His eyes were tearing as he fought the sensation to cough. Pastor Jim was rubbing his back slightly helping him relax from the coughing fit.

"Sammy you're too young to join us. But Dean's old enough and mature enough to join us on this hunt," John said. "He's a good shot and I think he's ready."

"But who will stay wif me?" Sammy asked wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve again.

"You will stay here with Pastor Jim. You will mind your manners and do what he asks," John said sharply.

Sammy looked like he was about to argue but the tone of his father's voice stopped him. He'd heard it before and talking back usually got him laps around whatever motel they were staying in. "Yes sir," Sammy said softly as he sat back in the chair his hot chocolate immediately forgotten.

John stood up grabbing his coffee mug. "Another hunter named Jesse will be here tomorrow. He will be going with us. We'll review the plan tomorrow."

Dean watched as his father left the room and looked over at pastor Jim with wide eyes. He didn't know if he was excited or if he wanted to throw up.

"You'll do great son. I've seen you shoot. You've got amazing aim and snap reflexes. Besides someone's gotta watch your daddy's back. Just do what he says and it will be ok. All right?" Jim said.

"Yes sir," Dean said then looked over at his brother who was actually sitting still with a look of surprise and apprehension on his face.

"Now then. If you're finished with your hot chocolate why don't you guys show me this fort you made?" Jim suggested.

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Two hours later after showing Jim the rather large snow fort, three Snowmen and a snowball fight later the three stumbled back into the house laughing.

"I can't believe you snuck up on me like that young man," Jim complained good naturedly.

"You were focused on getting Sammy after he hit you with a snowball. Piece of cake," Dean shrugged.

"Yeah but the face wash was awesome!" Sammy said laughing.

"It's all in the timing little brother," Dean said laughing at the put on indignant look on the preacher's face.

"That's the last time I hold back in a fight with you two," Jim said.

"Hey we're Winchesters. Just like the rifle and twice as deadly," Dean said with a smirk.

Sammy laughed as he removed his mittens and handed them to his brother.

"That's right son. You had some great moves out there," John said.

The group sobered as they saw the man standing there.

"Did you see me get Pastor Jim Daddy?" Sammy asked.

"I sure did kiddo. Nice shot. Looks like your big brother and I will be showing you how to handle a gun soon," John said. "It's late. You two should be getting ready for bed."

"Yes sir," Dean said helping his brother out of his outer wear. Then he quickly got out of his own and took his brother upstairs.

The men were quiet for a few minutes after the boys left the kitchen.

"John not that I want to sound like I'm second guessing you, but Dean's only nine years old. He's just a child," Jim said softly.

John sighed. "I know he's just a child but I don't have a choice. Joshua is out he's trying to get back with Anna. Matt's out because he's helping Josh and I can't find of Caleb. Bobby, Nate and Drew are already working cases and I was lucky to get Jesse. Look we can protect Dean but we need a third hand on this. I would've asked you to help out but it's Christmas. You're gearing up for your busiest time of the year."

John stopped as Jim chuckled.

"What?" John asked.

Jim just shook his head slightly. "Between you and Caleb it's always busy."

John snorted. "Yeah I guess you could say that," he said looking down at his shoes.

"I'm not saying that you can't protect him. John I know you'd do anything for those kids. But that's just it. No matter how mature he is or how great his shots are or how well he looks after Sammy the truth is that he's just a child doing anything and everything to get the respect of his father," Jim said as gently as he could. The last thing he wanted to do was make the man mad and have him take both boys on the trek with him.

"Damnit I know he's just a kid. Jim if you have any other suggestions I'm open to them," John said frustrated. "I've gone through this several times in my head. There are so many ways this can go south with just Jesse and myself. A third person, no matter what his age is, will give us a better chance of getting out alive. I wish I could have found another hunter. I do. But I couldn't find anyone I trusted to watch our backs."

Jim nodded and stepped over to his friend. He gently placed his hand on the hunter's shoulder. "Then may God go with you," Jim said softly then walked out of the room.

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Dean leaned back and squeezed his eyes shut as Sammy splashed the water at him again.

"C'mon Sammy. Knock it off. I'm soaked enough," Dean complained as he tried to lather up his brother's hair.

"Ok," Sammy said and sat still for exactly five seconds before reaching for the plastic tug boat and moved it around the water making motor sounds.

"Close your eyes. I'm going to rinse your hair," Dean warned.

Sammy stilled for a moment as the water ran over his head. He waited patiently until he felt the flannel gently wipe around his eyes.

"Ok. That's it. Stand up," Dean said getting up off his knees where he'd been kneeling by the tub.

Sammy did one more run around the tub with the boat and then stood up. He opened his arms and let his brother lift him out of the tub. He shivered slightly before Dean wrapped him up in a towel and began to dry him off.

"Do you want to go?" Sammy asked looking up at his brother with big eyes.

Dean looked down at him. "Yeah I do Sammy."

"Then I wanna go too," Sammy said. "I don't want to be here without you."

Dean half smiled at him. "You love it here. You have fun with Pastor Jim and Angel. 'Sides Dad needs me on this one."

"But you always look after me," Sammy protested.

"Not always Sammy. Dad looks after you too," Dean admonished gently as he finished drying him off and helped him into his pyjamas.

They walked into the room they shared while staying at Pastor Jims.

Sammy got onto the bed and jumped on it a few times before Dean could stop him. His older brother got him to lie down and pulled the covers over him. Sammy's fingers played with the cover while Dean got a book off the shelf.

Dean sat up beside him and Sammy snuggled into him. "I don't like this book."

Dean looked down at him. "I haven't even started to read it yet. How would you know you don't like it?"

Sammy didn't answer.

Dean sighed. He hated it when his brother pouted. It was almost as bad as the puppy dog eyes that could get him almost anything.

"Look Sammy I know you want me to stay with you, but once in a while Dad needs me to look after him. It will only be for a few days," Dean said softly holding the young boy close to him.

Sammy was quiet but looked up at his older brother. "A couple of days?"

Dean nodded. "While I'm gone you can help Pastor Jim at the church and you can help him look after Angel. Ok?"

Sammy pursed his lips together and looked away for a moment. He looked back up at Dean. "Ok I guess."

Dean smiled down at him. "Now can I read you the story?"

Sammy nodded.