Chapter 2

Dean ran up on Ben very unexpectantly. Ben was delivering pizza. He got out of an older model Toyota with a pizza box in his hand. Den watched him run up to the sidewalk to the house and ring the doorbell. He then watched the transaction and he waited for Ben to return to his car. The elder Winchester had not been sure at first. It had been a decade, after all. But Dean watched the young man, carefully. And that was when he knew that it really was Ben.

Dean, on impulse, got into the Impala and waited for Ben to leave so that he could follow. Dean spent the next hour following the young man, staying far enough back not to be detected, but close enough to see where Ben was going and who he was talking to. All the hunter discovered, on that particular day, was that the people of Battle Creek really, really loved their pizza.

Dean realized what he was doing. He banged his hand on the wheel and swore under his breath. Why am I doing this? Why the HELL am I doing this? Dean thought. Ben won't remember me, neither will Lisa. And if Ben sees me following him, he'll probably have me arrested for stalking.

The elder Winchester pulled the car over and parking it right then. Why was he doing this to himself? It's not like he had forgotten what it felt like to lose them both the first time. He couldn't forget it. He wouldn't allow himself to forget it. He had to remember. It was to be his reminder of how toxic he was to any woman, to any relationship. It was his horrifically painful reminder to not to let himself get 'involved' again. No one deserved, in his mind, to be put through so much pain, just because of the fact that they were associated with him.

Dean didn't regret what he'd done. He knew that Ben needed Lisa. A boy needs his mom. He knew that, very well. He knew that John had done the best that he could. But, he also knew, had Mary Winchester lived, his life would be so, so very different than it was now. Dean sighed again as he wiped the tears from his eyes. He started the Impala and headed back to the motel where he and Sam were staying.

Sam had given up on his brother after about 45 minutes had passed. The young hunter figured that this brother had met up with a waitress in the diner and, well… knowing his bother. Sam had just picked up the phone and ordered a pizza.

"Dean, dude…you forget your key…seriously? You have got to…." Sam said as he opened the door, fully expected to see Dean standing their looking embarrassing, sheepish, and very drunk.

"Naw, Dude." The teen ager said. "Don't know who Dean is…but, I got your pizza…extra 'shrooms, right?"

Sam nodded and held out his hand. He knew that this was Ben Braeden. It had been a decade, but it was him.

Sam took the pizza, but he had made no move to give Ben the money for it. Ben's speaking brought the young hunter back to reality.

"Look Dude, don't know what's going on here. And I don't much care…just give me my money, and I'll be on my way." Ben said, holding out his hand for the money.

Sam blinked, as if seeing Ben for the first time. "Yeah, Man…look…sorry. You just look a lot like somebody I used to know. I just…sorry Dude." Sam said, quickly pulling out his wallet. "Thank again, Man." He said, handing over the money.

Ben nodded, gave Sam a small smile and walked away. Sam watched Ben until he had gotten into his car and had driven away.

TBC