Who Says You Can't Go Home?

Chapter 3

God what a morning! Dean was trying to get a handle on everything he had witnessed his brother go through that morning. The trip through processing had taken a lot out of Sam and Dean wished he could have physically been there. Once Sam had gotten through processing he had to say goodbye to his friends. Dean knew that was really hard on Sam - especially when he had to say goodbye to Nurse Cathy who had become like a mom to his little brother. Dean was proud of his brother for being so strong.

The part that had been really hard for Dean was riding in the Impala. As a spirit he was now relegated to the back of his baby. Never to drive his girl again was a hard pill to swallow, but he only had to look at his brother sitting in the front seat to know that everything was as it should be. He was here for his brother and nothing else mattered.

Dean was proud of Sammy but in awe of Bobby. Bobby was handling his brother so well. When Bobby asked Sam about rehab, Dean had tensed up. He knew this was going to be a touchy subject and could easily send his brother over the edge after the stressful morning that he had had. But Bobby didn't push and listened to Sam and had even got his brother to promise to try it. Dean wasn't sure he would've been able to achieve that feat.

The other thing that had thrown Dean was Sam's insistence that he start training as a hunter again. Sam was afraid that the Demon might still come after him. Dean was happy that Bobby had reassured Sam, but Dean was now troubled that Sam might be right. Well if Ole Yellow Eye's did come after Sam, he would have to answer to Dean.

Things had quieted down, as Sammy had fallen asleep. Bobby had the radio on and unfortunately was listening to country. It was wrong so wrong. Stuck in the back of his baby listening to country made Dean think of hell, but as he listened to Sammy snoring peacefully in the front seat he had to smile.

Things started to get creepy as they approached Carthridge, Missouri. Every couple of miles there were these billboards advertising something called The Precious Moments Chapel. The billboards were too friendly with these big headed children. Dean wasn't sure what a Precious Moment thing was but he was sure it should be added to the list of things that should be hunted just like that damn Snuggle Bear.

-0-

Bobby hated to wake up Sam, but Carthridge was the last major city they would hit before Kansas City and he was getting hungry. He started to nudge Sam and quietly call his name.

"Sam, son need you to wake up." Bobby watched as Sam slowly opened his eyes and wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth.

"W-we there?" Sam asked in his sleepy haze.

Bobby smiled. "No son, but Carthridge, Missouri is coming up and it will be the last place we can stop for awhile and I'm getting a bit hungry. How about you?"

"I-I could eat." Sam replied as he wiped the sleep from his eyes.

"Well we have two options, I can find a picnic area and we can chow on the stuff Nurse Cathy packed or we can do fast food. Which sounds better to you, kiddo?" Bobby glanced at Sam waiting for his reply.

"Um, I-I think the picnic area sounds good. L-look Bobby, they have a picnic area at this Precious Moments Chapel place. J-Jess, I remember had some of those things. K-Kinda creepy." Sam said with a smirk.

"I agree Sam, definitely creepy. Women, just don't get them sometimes. I suppose that those creepy ass things wouldn't be at the picnic area so we can stop there. " Bobby said with a smile.

The picnic area was actually nice and quiet. They made quick work or the wonderful sandwiches that Nurse Cathy had packed.

"U-uh Bobby, d-do you think we should stop at the gift shop?" Sam asked as they began to pack up.

"Now why in the world would we want to stop in that creepy place Sam?" Bobby really had to strain not to call Sam an idgit.

"M-Missouri might like one?" Sam asked with his puppy dog eyes turned on full blast.

"Alright Sam, but you are not allowed to tell any of my buddies that I went in that place you, understand?" Bobby was flustered but understood that Sam wanted to do something nice for Missouri.

"P-Promise Bobby." Sam said with a big smile.

-0-

Dean had had an interesting afternoon. It had been torture watching Bobby and Sam eating the wonderful looking items that Nurse Cathy had packed for lunch, but he felt like he got off light in the afternoon torture department. The face Bobby wore as he left the Precious Moments Gift shop was one of pure terror.

Dean was happy that Bobby had been the one to suffer the torture and not him. Dean had been content enough to wait on them in the Impala, happy that he was spared that nightmare. He felt for Bobby though, Sam had pulled out the puppy dog eyes and no one could say no to him when he did that.

Once back on the road, Sam had been pretty quiet. Dean knew his little brother was probably worrying over what would happen once they got there. He wished that he could give Sam a pep talk about how everything was going to be okay, but that was kind of hard with Bobby around.

It was early evening as they pulled into the Lawrence city limits and the two story house that Missouri called home. It was show time.

-0-

Sam was nervous. He really didn't know how Missouri and Bobby were going to take the news that Dean was still with them. Sam hoped that thinks would go okay, but he had a feeling that it wouldn't.

He clutched the small box containing his gift for Missouri as they pulled up to her house. He was happy that he recognized it. Some things from his past were not clear, but the warm and loving feelings he felt while at Missouri's house before were still there. Sam took a deep breath before getting out of the car and following Bobby to the front of the house. He wondered if Dean was following or hiding out in the car.

Before they could knock, Missouri was at the door grabbing Sam and pulling him in for a big hug. Sam hunched down and took the small but sturdy frame into his arms. The embrace was warm and loving and brought tears to Sam's eyes.

"Oh baby, I'm so glad to see you." Missouri slowly pulled away, dabbing at her eyes. "Let me get a look at you boy. Oh, you've lost some weight, but I'll take care of that."

Sam blushed and held out his gift. "I-it isn't much. B-but I wanted to get you something."

"Thank you baby. Why don't you and Bobby come on in and I'll open it in the sitting room." Missouri patted Bobby's arm as they walked in. "It is so nice to finally meet face to face Bobby."

Bobby nodded. "Yes Ma'am it is."

A few moments later they each had found a place to sit. Sam sat next to Bobby on the love-seat and Missouri settled across from them on a overstuffed chair. She carefully opened the box that Sam had given her. Inside was a small boy figure with dark brown hair and big green eyes. He held a small sign that said "thank you".

Missouri tongue clicked in appreciation. "Oh sweetie, this is so cute. Almost like a little Sammy."

Sam grinned. "Um, glad you like it. I-I just wanted to thank you for letting me stay here."

"Oh baby, it's my pleasure." Missouri began to frown and looked around the room. Her gaze settled on the door way leading into the room.

"Oh my. Sam, sweetie, I think you need to explain our new arrival." Her voice was stern but loving.

"I-I'm not sure how…" Sam stopped he really wasn't sure how to explain Dean. "B-Bobby, I don't want you to be mad. P-Promise."

Bobby looked puzzled but nodded. "Sure Sam, you know you can tell me anything."

"Baby, it's okay, just tell us." Missouri gave him a reassuring smile.

"Y-you know w-when I was in the hospital and would talk to D-Dean?" Bobby nodded. "I-I was. H-he was there, and he is here now."

"Dean you might as well make yourself known." Missouri said as she stared down the doorway.

Bobby sat straight up in his seat. "You mean to tell me that Dean is here?"

Before Sam could respond his brother appeared before them all. "H-hey Dean."

Dean smiled warmly at his brother. "Hey Sammy. Um hi guys."

"Well I'll be damned." Bobby said as he tugged off his cap and scratched his head.

"Watch your mouth, Bobby please. And Dean take a seat over by your poor brother, Bobby you can sit over here by me." Missouri gestured to another overstuffed chair that was next hers.

Bobby nodded. "Yes Ma'am, sorry about the language." He patted Dean on the shoulder as he passed him on his way to sit next to Missouri.

Sam was happy to have his brother settle next to him. "N-not mad Bobby."

"Um, I'm not thrilled but I understand perfectly why Dean is here. " Bobby said to Sam with a quick smile.

Sam smiled back. "D-Dean saved me from Officer Greg and took good care of me in jail."

Bobby's eyes got big with that statement. "Lord Almighty. Deacon had said to me it was like you had an angel looking out for you in prison. I should've known. Well, Dean, I don't even know what to say."

Dean nodded. "You know I can't leave Sammy, especially not after what happened."

Missouri cleared her throat. "Dean Winchester you are one of the most stubborn, pig headed people I know. I should be furious at you for putting your chance at peace aside to take care of Sam. But I can't be, you love that boy something fierce and I can't fault you for that. I can feel Bobby's worry over you becoming a vengeful spirit, and I normally would share that fear but not this time. Dean is here out of love."

Dean shifted uncomfortable in his seat and patted Sam's leg. "You're right on this one Missouri. Bobby, I promise that this is for the best and if that should ever change, I would want you to take care of it. But I think that as long as Sam needs me, I need to stay."

Sam smiled. "I-I need him, Bobby."

Bobby nodded. "I know you do, kid. I know you do."

-0-

Dean was happy to be accepted. It was really going to be a bitch if Bobby decided to hunt him down. As it was, things went as smoothly as they could.

Missouri fussed over Sam and made sure that he had a good meal. She also made sure that Sam went to bed at a decent hour. Dean stayed with him until Sam had fallen asleep and then he had crept down stairs hoping to talk to Bobby about the upcoming hunt.

Dean found Bobby out on the back porch getting some fresh air.

"Hey Bobby, I want to apologize for keeping my still being around from ya." Dean said as he found a rocking chair to sit in.

Bobby sat across from him on a wooden bench. "Well, Dean I can't say that I'm happy about this at all. Damn it boy, you had your chance at peace, for this all to be over and you sacrificed that. I get that you feel the need to be there for you brother but this isn't fair to you ." Bobby sighed.

Dean was taken aback by Bobby's statement, he had thought the older hunter had accepted things. "I didn't sacrifice anything, Sammy needs me so I'm here."

Bobby swiped his hand down his face in frustration. "Boy, do you think so little of yourself? You have always put your family first. When are you going to put yourself first?"

Dean rolled his eyes. "I've heard this argument before from Sam. The thing is, being there for my family makes me happy. Is that so wrong? "

"I guess not, but son, I would have taken care of Sam. Don't you know that? Couldn't you trust me?" Bobby looked down at his feet.

Dean's eyes widened. "Damn it Bobby, of course I trust you. You've taken real good care of Sammy. But you can't be with him all the time and with The Demon after him and then what happened with Officer Greg… God what could have happened with Officer Greg." Dean shuddered thinking about it. In a low voice, Dean spoke. "He just need's me that's all and I need him."

Bobby nodded. "Yeah, I might not like it, but your right."

Dean smiled. "Thanks for understanding. So wow, it's been a long day huh?"

Bobby sat across from him on a wooden bench. "Yeah, man I'm glad it's over. I mean, there is only so much a man can take. I've had to deal with an emotional Nurse Cathy and Sam and then you show up!"

Dean smiled. "Not to mention those creepy ass Precious Moments figures. You're one brave man going into that gift center."

Bobby chuckled. "Yeah talk about possessed looking dolls. But how could I say no to Sam?"

"I know, the kid knows how to work us that's for sure. Speaking of the kid, I don't know how to thank you for everything you done for Sammy." Dean wasn't good with this sort of thing but it needed to be said.

"Hell Dean, no need to thank me. I care about the kid, and you too. You two are more trouble than your worth, but that's family for ya." Bobby looked away.

Dean was very touched by what Bobby had said but knew both of them needed to change the subject. "So this hunt, what's it all about?"

Bobby looked back over at him, his expression very serious. "Ash has been tracking the psychic kids that you and Sam had come across. You knew that Ava went missing, well Andy has disappeared now. Jo went to check it out and found sulfur in Andy's van. Something is going on, and it can't be good. I was going to meet with Ash to see if we can figure this all out."

Dean swallowed hard, fear spiking through him. "Do you think the demon will come after Sam?"

Bobby sighed. "Don't know Dean. That is why I'm leaving him here with Missouri. She knows what is going on and put up protection all over the house to help keep Sam safe. Now that I know you're here I feel like Sam is as safe as he can be. I just need to find a way to stop The Demon, then Sam will be safe."

"I wish I could come with you Bobby, but I need to protect Sammy." Dean was frustrated with the helplessness of the situation.

"I know son, but keeping Sam safe is all you can do right now." Bobby nodded.

Dean heard Missouri approaching the door and opened it for her.

"Boy's something is a brewing. Something big, and the only reason I'm picking up on it is because Sam is here. It is almost like this darkness is calling Sam. I can sense that there is a lot of psychic activity that is coming from Cold Oaks, South Dakota and it is calling Sam." Missouri's face was full of fear.

Dean turned to the woman. "There is no way they are getting my brother, not while I'm around."

A/N: I live outside of Lawrence, Kansas and my family lives in Little Rock, Arkansas so I make the trip that the boys made in this story at least 8 times a year. We pass the Precious Moments Chapel billboard every trip and the billboards freak my husband out and he was pleased that I had the boys freaked out by them in the story. Precious Moments for those who do not know are ceramic big headed, big eyed children. I stopped at the chapel and gift center once with my daughter when she was four and they actually had people dressed as these ceramic figures- she screamed and ran from them. If you've never seen one of the figures- Google them and check them out. The chapel is full of stain glass with religious scenes using the Precious Moments children. Being a female I do find the Precious Moments cute, but can totally understand being creepied out by them.

I wanted to thank everyone who is reading and especially those who are leaving reviews! This story would be posted without the help of Sendintheclowns and Floralia! I should have more up on Monday.