A/N: In canon, Dean had been living with Glenn and Joanne for more than 10 years before he started living with Greg. Also, he originally sought out Greg because he wanted to take on Glenn's surname. So it stands to reason, in my mind anyway, that Dean would be calling both men "Dad" at this point.

"Dean!"

The despondent teen lifted his head off the crook of his arms and waved half-heartedly to his stepfather, who had pulled his car up to the side of the road in front of the house.

Glenn reached over and pushed open the front passenger's door in silent invitation. "What are you doing outside with all your stuff? I thought we were going to have the pleasure of your company for a couple of days," Glenn commented light-heartedly, trying to break the ice. He didn't like the look of the teen's red and swollen eyes, or his pale skin. He briefly considered taking the boy straight to hospital, then decided to hear him out first. "Mom not home?"

"Oh, she's home alright." Dean picked up his bag and threw it in the back seat of the car, and then flopped himself into the front passenger seat. He leaned his head back and inhaled deeply. "I thought I was staying, too," he muttered. "Turns out I was wrong. My instincts were right on the button- Mum is dead set against me becoming a cop."

"Understandable." Glenn eyed his stepson with deep concern. Joanne's reluctance didn't explain why he had found his boy sitting on the side of the road like a little lost waif.

Dean turned his head toward the man who had been the father figure in his life for so many years, and, for the first time in some hours, smiled. "That's exactly what Dad said."

"Let me guess, your father also said he'd support you whatever you did," Glenn stated enquiringly.

Dean nodded assent.
"I've never met the guy," Glenn began.
"And if you did you'd probably knock him on his ass," Dean cut in, with a twinkle in his eye.

"But," Glenn continued as if he'd never been interrupted, "I tend to agree with him. I gather your mother doesn't."

"That's an understatement," Dean said drily.

"What did she say?" Glenn probed gently.

"That she'd disown me forever if I ever went to the Academy."

Glenn's face drained itself of all colour. "Are you sure? There's no way . . . " his voice trailed off. This was serious, really serious. The woman he married didn't mince words. She also didn't utter idle threats. If she said it, she meant it. Period. No questions asked and no leeway given.

"I totally understand her fears. Knowing my father back then, I wouldn't want me to follow in his footsteps in any way, shape, or form, either," Dean confessed. "I tried to get her to see that, that you and she have shown me exactly what a marriage relationship should be like." He turned and smiled gratefully at the man beside him. "Growing up, you were exactly what I needed. And I still need you, both of you."

"Just not in the same way," Glenn acknowledged. "And we need you, too."

"So how could she threaten to abandon her own child?" Dean's face paled even more at the thought, and Glenn surreptitiously looked around for something the boy could vomit into if need be.

"You didn't misunderstand her?" Glenn pressed gently.

"Ask her yourself," his stepson invited him tiredly.

"Oh, I will," the older man vowed. He and his wife would be having a major discussion in the not too distant future. He just hoped and prayed it wouldn't tear his family apart. He didn't know what he would do if he was forced to choose between the woman he loved and the young man he'd grown to love as his own son. "In the meantime, what are your plans for the next few days?"

"Hotel," Dean sighed. "Drive me?"

"Sure," Glenn agreed quietly, softly squeezing his boy's neck, partly in affection, mostly in support.

After they had driven a few miles, Dean broke the silence. "What do you think I should do?"

Glenn considered his answer carefully, realising it could shape his family's future. "Part of me agrees with your Mom and wants to force you to go to University. Keep the peace with her, keep you safe as long as I can. Except that you'd hate that and would probably end up hating me, and I don't want you to hate me. Part of me is cheering you on to your dream, except that attending the Academy means you are going into a really dangerous career and lifestyle, and I'd live in fear for the rest of my life of someone I love getting gravely hurt or killed. So I guess, I'd have to say that I would encourage you to attend University first, and then if you still want to enrol in the Academy, do it then."

"And you'd be okay with that then?" Dean confirmed.

"Yes," Glenn affirmed. His glasses slipped down and he automatically wriggled them back into place with his nose. Dean giggled, breaking the tension.

"Well, here we are," Glenn parked his car outside Dean's hotel. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Dean's eyes misted, and he quickly exited the car before his tears could show. "Not really," he admitted. "But Mom didn't give me a choice. I'm glad I've still got you on my side though," he smiled wanly, as he gathered his bags and walked quickly inside.

"Always, my son, always," Glenn murmured as he drove off, mentally preparing himself to battle with his wife for the future of his family.