Wow, just overwhelmed by the response to this and my other two stories. I had a hard time getting them all posted with the problems was having. It seems though that everything is fixed now. Fingers crossed that that's the case. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this next chapter. I should be finishing the next chapter of And the Deal Goes On tonight and hopefully posting, then I'll be working on the next chapter to Separation Anxiety. I know lots of you need your Danny fix (squeee!). Here goes.

Chapter 3

Dean and Sam looked around and surveyed the damage to Bobby's house. Wind howled through the broken window, rain drenching everything it touched as it blew in with the gusts.

"Bobby's gonna be so pissed," Sam muttered miserably, hi s tone drawing Dean's attention to his suddenly pale face.

"Uh, yeah, he may not be too happy about it," Dean started as he stared with confusion at what he could only determine to be fear on his little brother's face. "But, he'll get over it, Sammy. Is there something going on between you two that I should know about?" he added with a cock of his head.

"N-No, just…all his stuff is getting wet and well…," Sam stammered, his hazel eyes glancing over at his brother before dropping to the suddenly very interesting floor.

"Sammy, he'll understand once we tell him what happened," Dean said, the older hunter stepping up to the younger. "What's going on?"

Sam looked up and swallowed deeply. "It's just…well, you've seen how he's been around me since I came back. I think maybe you should tell him about the alternate universe, or whatever it was, that we were sent to. He…he may not believe me," he said softly.

" Sam, come on…don't think like that. Bobby's fine with you. You're just being paranoid," Dean stated as he slapped his brother good naturedly on the back.

"I don't think so, Dean," Sam mumbled as he began to pull what he could out of the path of the torrent of rain that was coming through the window.

"Did something happen between you two?" Dean asked as he too began to move things out of the destruction zone.

Sam looked up at Dean and slowly shook his head. "No…nothing happened. Just a feeling I get when I'm around him. It's stupid…forget I said anything," he answered.

"Sam…"

"It's okay, Dean. I'm just being overly sensitive I guess. It's no big deal."

Dean watched Sam as the younger, but larger hunter dived into the task at hand. "Okay, fine. I'll see if I can find some plastic or something to cover that window 'til we can get it fixed," he finally said.

Sam nodded, but didn't look up from his chore. He listened as Dean raced to the stairs that led to the basement then stood up and brushed a hand through his disheveled hair. He couldn't talk to Dean about what was going on. Couldn't tell him about the package he'd sent before he went to Hell. The amulet was gone, no reason to bring it up now that he could never give it back to his brother. It would only dredge up hurt feelings and Sam felt as though he was walking on egg shells as it was. He didn't need his brother hating him too. It was bad enough that Bobby hadn't been able to forgive him for everything that had happened, he wouldn't be able to take it if he learned Dean hadn't either.

Sam looked down at what still remained to be moved out of the way and noticed a stack of papers that were slowly getting soaked. He leaned over and began to shove the pile toward the wall behind Bobby's desk. He glanced up when Dean walked in with a roll of commercial plastic in his hands. He abandoned the pile of papers and rushed to his brother's aid. He never saw the manila envelope that protruded from the bottom of the pile.

sn sn sn sn sn sn sn sn sn sn sn sn sn

"A little help here!" Bobby's voice shouted from the hall prompting Dean to rush out of the den to help his obviously grumpy friend. Dean took a look at the bags in Bobby's arms and smirked.

"We averted the Apocalypse Bobby, no need to buy the stores out." Dean reached for the bags and relieved the older man of his burden.

"Ha, ha…very funny! There's more in the truck smartass so you best git a move on," Bobby snapped before his eyes roamed the hall, in search of something. "Where's that brother of yours?" he asked.

Dean glanced toward the den and tipped his head toward it. "Your office," he answered. "Oh, hey, Bobby…I think he thinks you hate him or are mad at him for some reason. Is everything okay? I mean, I know you're a bit uncomfortable still, but things seem to have changed the past days," he added.

Bobby brushed his hand over his face and blew out a deep breath. "That's between Sam and me. I'll go talk to the idjit, you go empty out that truck," Bobby said shortly.

"Why do I have to empty out the truck? Geez, I have to do everything," Dean whined as he repositioned the bags in his arms.

"Why do I have to empty out the truck?" Bobby mimicked with an eyeroll. "What are you, five? Just go get the rest of the supplies while I go talk to that brother of yours," he commanded before turning and walking toward the den.

Dean watched him, mouth gaped open then moved toward the kitchen. "I do have to do everything," he muttered to himself. "It's 'Dean, do this…Dean, handle that. Dean, wash the dishes…Dean, pick up your underwear.' Sheesh, didn't know I was a slave," he continued as he placed the bags on the kitchen table and hurried down the hall to finish bringing in Bobby's purchases.

Bobby entered his den, eyes immediately finding Sam pressing the final piece of duct tape into place at the window. All thoughts of what he was going to say to the young man fled from his mind when he took in the destruction of the room. "What in the friggin' hell happened in here!" he snapped as he turned and surveyed the room.

Sam nearly jumped out of his skin at the angry voice and he turned quickly to see Bobby glaring at him from across the room. "I…it wasn't…it…" he stammered, but he was unable to get the words out.

"Spit it out boy! What did you do to my house?" Bobby hissed, the sudden look of fear and sadness on Sam's face making him regret the harshness of his tone.

"It was Balthazar…uh, he…he was here and…"

"And what, Sam? He broke my window, messed up my papers?" Bobby asked, voice calmer now as he watched Sam shrink away from him. "Look, Sam…I…"

"I'm sorry, Bobby. I'm sorry for everything. The plastic should hold until we get the window fixed. I'll pay for it," Sam blurted as he headed for the entryway. "I'm really sorry," he added as he disappeared into the hall.

"Sam! I didn't mean to sound…Sam! Get in here, boy!" Bobby called, but the sound of the kitchen door slamming shut told him that Sam was no longer in the building. He dropped his eyes and shook his head. "Way to go, Singer," he whispered before making his way around his desk and sitting heavily in the chair.

A few minutes later, Dean walked into the den and stared down at his old friend. "Bobby, where was Sammy going? What's going on?" he asked as he moved up to the desk.

Bobby looked up and sighed. "I suppose he's going on one of his famous walks, though I don't think it's a good idea in this weather," he answered tiredly.

Dean furrowed his brow and felt anger well in him. "He didn't go for a walk…he took that old jalopy out back! What happened in here? What did you say to him, Bobby?"

Bobby leaned back in his chair and shook his head. "I was gonna talk to him about the other day, but then I saw the mess in here so I asked him what happened. I guess I sounded accusatory or something. Poor kid looked like a deer in headlights," he replied.

"So, you blamed Sammy for this? Bobby, he already thinks you hate him!" Dean spat.

"I didn't blame him, but…I did kinda yell and I suppose, knowing Sam, he would take it as being blamed. And, I don't hate him. I love that boy and you know it!"

"I know it, but he doesn't. What happened the other day that you need to talk to him about?"

Bobby leaned forward and looked up at Dean. "He came in here a few days back or so and was asking about something he sent me. I was working on this thing for Rufus and I had no idea what he was talking about. He seemed pretty upset though…ran outa here like a bat out of…well, you know. Anyway, he's been keeping his distance since then," he answered.

"So, did he say what he sent? When did he send it? Did he say anything?" Dean asked.

"No…didn't really get the chance to get it out of him," Bobby said, his eyes scanning the room. "So, what happened in here, Dean? Sam mentioned Balthazar?"

"Uh…yeah. The dick showed up here, spouting how we were all in danger…sent Sam and I through the window when an angel hitman showed up. We ended up…somewhere over the rainbow I guess," Dean answered.

"You ended up…some place else? Tonight, while I was in town?" Bobby asked suspiciously.

"Yes, Bobby…we ended up in some alternate universe or something. All of this…our lives, all of it was a TV show. Sam and I were actors…Jensen something or other and Jared Pastylicki or…I don't even know what his name was supposed to be. Anyway, the people there thought we were these two actors…Cas was there, but it wasn't Cas, it was some doofus named Misha," Dean said with a roll of his eyes. "Oh, and Ruby was there…well, the actress who played Ruby was there….Genevieve I think was her name. And get this…she and Sam, I mean Jared were married!" he added cheerily.

Bobby stared, incredulous look on his face as Dean continued to recount the details of he and Sam's trip. When the young man was finally finished talking, Bobby stood up and rounded the desk. He stepped up to Dean and raised a finger to the young man's face, running the finger down his cheek before pulling it away and holding it close to his eyes. Dean jerked back and glared at the older hunter.

"What the hell, Bobby!"

"So, you were wearing make-up were you?" Bobby asked with a gleam in his eyes.

"Not anymore!" Dean shouted indignantly. "It was that Jensen dude, not me! I knew I shouldn't have told you that part."

"Oh no, you definitely did the right thing by telling me…Jensen," Bobby chuckled.

Dean rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated huff. "Look, I'm gonna go to town and look for Sammy. Kid'll get himself in all kinds of trouble if he's out there on his own in the mood he's in. I'll be back as soon as I find him."

The smirk left Bobby's face and he sat down on the edge of the desk. "I'm really sorry I upset the kid. Just go find him and get his butt back here. I'm gonna work on getting my office back together," he said.

"Yeah," Dean murmured as he turned and left the room.

Bobby heard the front door open and close then soon after, he heard the rumble of the Impala's engine as it roared to life. He listened as the rumble faded away then he turned to once again survey the mess in his office. He sighed as he went to the kitchen and retrieved a mop from the broom closet. Several minutes later, the water was cleaned up from the floor and Bobby started to move things back into place. It took nearly an hour, but finally almost everything was back to where it belonged. All that remained was the pile of papers and magazines and then he would be done. He leaned over and began to push the pile toward the wall near the window, when suddenly the pile dumped over and scattered across the floor.

"Ah hell," Bobby cursed under his breath as he dropped down onto his knees and began to pull the scattered papers together.

As he was reaching for the last magazine, something that didn't belong with the papers caught his eye. He reached for what turned out to be a manila envelope and suddenly, his memory caught up with him. This was the letter that had been delivered a few weeks back, though it was postmarked from over a year ago. The postman had said it had been misplaced. Bobby stood and moved to sit at his desk. He turned on the desk lamp and peered down at the envelope. He turned it over, trying to determine who had sent it. The handwriting looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. He pulled the letter up to his face and squinted at the postmark. "Detroit?" he whispered with confusion before suddenly it all became clear. His eyes widened as he realized how badly he had screwed up. "Ah shit…Sam," he said before ripping open the envelope.

Bobby reached into the envelope and pulled out three smaller envelopes. The top envelope was addressed to him with the words 'Open First' printed on it. Bobby opened the letter and began to read.

'Hey, Bobby. I know this is a lot to ask after everything that's happened, but I couldn't send this to Dean. I wouldn't even know where to send it to. I asked him to go to Lisa's, but knowing him, he'll dive head first into hunting so I'm asking you to make sure he gets the letter I've included with this package. It's really important to me and I know that you'll make sure he gets it. There's a letter for you too. Thanks, Bobby.

Love, Sam'

Bobby swallowed against the sudden lump in his throat as he set the first letter down. Sam had sent this the day before he sacrificed everything and threw himself into the pit. He'd gone to Hell with the knowledge that his final words to his family would be heard, but the package had been lost. That's why he was so upset. That's why he had run out of the office that day. He must have thought that the package had been thrown out based upon what Bobby had said to him.

"Ah, Sam…I'm sorry. I should have remembered the letter," Bobby murmured to himself. He looked down at the two remaining envelopes and picked up the one addressed to Dean. Something other than a letter was inside and Bobby wondered what it could be. He put the letter back down, suddenly feeling like he was intruding on the brother's privacy. He tore the other envelope addressed to him open and pulled out the letter within. Tears filled his eyes as he read the words his surrogate son had written to him on the last day of his life.

'Dear Bobby-

This is so hard, writing this to you. I know that I screwed everything up, that I betrayed you and Dean. I thought I was doing the right thing. I let Ruby get her claws in me and I'm so sorry for everything that happened because of my weakness. It's just that she promised me so much. She said she could help me avenge Dean, that by killing Lilith, Dean would be set free. I wanted to believe it so badly. Dean didn't deserve to be in Hell. That distinction belongs to me. I'm the one who should have gone there, not him. Well, I guess it's about time I fix that.

You've been so good to Dean and I, Bobby. I love you like a father. Hell, you've been as much a father to me as my own father was. I loved Dad so much and I feel just as much for you. I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you. You may never believe it, but I'd die for you, Bobby. It's time for me to show you that.

I hope that someday you can forgive me for all that I've done. If I'd have known what was going to happen, I would have made sure that I broke Dean's deal. That way, I would've died and Dean would've lived and you all could've finally lived your lives free of all the crap having me around caused. Please take care of Dean. Make sure he keeps his promise and doesn't try to find a way to get me out. I'm going to where I deserve to go. I'm finally making things right. For Dean, for you and for everyone.

I love you, Bobby

Sam'

Bobby set the letter down on the desk and drew his hand over his wet eyes. He glanced out the window and shook his head. "Damn kid," he whispered softly to the empty room. "There's nothin' to forgive, son. There's nothing to forgive."

Well crap, I made myself cry. Always the sap...that's what I am. So, what did you think? I'm not really sure about Bobby's letter. I know what I wanted to say, but I'm not sure if it came across the way I'd hoped. Let me know. Thanks all and love you bunches!

Cindy