Author's Note: This is an idea for an AU that came to me when watching 8x12 "As Time Goes By" a second time, a sort of what if fate had been different for the Winchester family and Campbell family when Henry spoke about the few elite hunters that worked with the MoL. It's been nearly 10 years since I tried my hand at fanfiction and I apologize in advance for any mistakes.
Disclaimer: No profit to be made here, I don't own anything except an imagination and an idea that wouldn't be quiet.
Henry Winchester didn't die when Abaddon attacked that night and John Winchester grows up to become the next generation of Men of Letters. Mary Campbell travels with her father to meet with the MoL, it's time to teach the next generation why they are no ordinary hunting family. It's the first time John and Mary meet and a chain of events are set in motion.
Mary Winchester got her wish, she ran away with John to elope when she turned 18, leaving behind the hunting world. Henry was furious as was Samuel, both families had claims to any children John and Mary would have as both MoL and hunters. A deal is worked out between the families and John and Mary cave to the pressure and guilt of causing this problem, the Campbells will raise the first child as a hunter and the Winchesters will raise any other children born to John and Mary as MoL.
Twenty-five years later a young hunter named Dean Winchester goes to his brother's apartment at Standford. He doesn't know Sam really other than brief holidays and short summers spent together as small children but tonight he needs him. Something murdered their grandparents and John and Mary haven't been heard from in days.
Sam Winchester sighs hearing someone moving in the apartment he shares with his girlfriend Jessica. He suspects his father has come by to check on him again, to tell him to stop wasting his time with mundane college, that all the knowledge he could ever need is just waiting on him to take the final step to becoming a MoL. Picking up a baseball bat just in case it isn't his father, Sam slowly creeps into the living room only to be taken down by a face he hasn't seen in years. "Dean?"
The reunion pauses when the light comes on and Jessica stands in the doorway with a questioning look to both men, Sam keeps his introduction short and to the point as he walks away from Dean to stand next to Jess. Dean normally would have introduced himself with more flirt and less agitation at the interruption but he has other things on his mind right now and Sam refusing to talk in private is pressing on his last nerve.
"Dad hasn't been home in a few days."
"You know how he gets with his research Dean."
Dean giving Sam a look of frustration before taking a deep breath to calm himself down. "Dad's on a hunting trip and hasn't been home in a few days."
Sam wonders if he's heard Dean correctly, "You mean Mom is on a hunting trip.."
"No I mean Dad and Mom are on a hunting trip, together and they haven't been home in a few days."
Sam swallows the lump in his throat, what could have happened that would draw their father into an active hunt with their mother. "Jess excuse us.."