That first night was nothing short of nightmares. The monsters would not stop coming. But Dean would not scream because that would wake up Sammy.

He tossed around, not used to the weight of blankets. And there were too many pillows. He felt like he was in quicksand.

"Mrs. Hudson..." He whispered. He crawled out underneath the mountain of his bed and sat on the edge. She was sound asleep, one hand resting on Sammy's crib. He should not wake her. That would be rude.

Dean stood up, looking at Mrs. Hudson, scared he had woken her.

He didn't, thankfully.

He walked over to the other bunk beds. John was sound asleep too. Dean's eyes looked up to see Sherlock propped up on one elbow staring at him again. He back up a little bit.

"Can't sleep?"

Dean shook his head.

"Me neither. Too much to think about."

"It's..." He started crying. "It's my m-"

"Your Mummy?" Sherlock sighed. "Mine's gone too. So is John's." He tried to think of something to say to a four-year old. Something...comforting.

"I miss her." Dean rubbed his eye. "Daddy's gone too, so I have to watch Sammy, but-"

"You don't know how..."

Dean looked up to see Sherlock crouched in front of him. He shook his head. Sherlock sat back on the ground, crossing his legs.

"Come here." He said softly as he patted the floor in front of him. The child sat down in front of him, his little eyes hopeful. "Look, I'm not the nicest person, but John is. But we can be friends. I can teach you how to read, I can teach all sorts of amazing things that are out there."

Dean whimpered. "But I don't like the monsters."

"Oh nononono...Dean, there is so much more out there. A whole world we have never seen before. You see that over there next to the toys?"

Dean looked over and nodded.

"Those are books that give you extraordinary gifts."

"Really?"

"Yes, that's why I love reading. You can learn so much. Did you like your bed time story?"

"Batman is cool."

"Yes, he is. And guess what? There are so many more stories about him right over there."

"Can I see?"

Sherlock glanced over to Mrs. Hudson. He didn't want to risk it. "First thing tomorrow after breakfast. Try to go back to sleep."

"Ok..." Dean got up.

"Oh, and Dean?"

"Yeah?"

"Remember Batman any time you get scared. What would he do?"

"He would beat the bad guys."

"Right you are." Sherlock smiled at him, then climbed back into bed. Dean was able to sleep soundly the rest of the night.


Breakfast was really good this morning. Dean loved pancakes.

"Alright, boys, I've going to be right over here if you need me." Mrs. Hudson went back over to the crib.

"So, Dean." John walked up to the boy. "Today we don't have lessons, so we get to do whatever we want. What do you like to do for fun?"

"Whatever I want? Well..." Dean looked at Sherlock, who nodded. "Batman!"

"Batman? Alright then." John smiled then winked at Sherlock, who was smiling as well.

"Come on, then." The boys took Dean over to the shelf he saw last night. John pulled out three books that all had Batman on him. They spent the morning reading about the masked vigilante, Dean taking it all in. The comics were so much fun to look at. By the time lunch came around, Dean had had more fun in those few hours than in his entire life.

John could not help but love this boy, like his own little brother. The past six months had been horrible for him and Sherlock. Dean and Sam were a breath of fresh air for them. Still so young and so innocent. John was surprised these children survived out there. He made a promise to himself like he did towards Sherlock...he will always protect those boys.


After a while, Dean was thrilled. Sam was trying to stand up.

"John! Sherlock! Hurry!"

The boys ran in from outside in a mild panic, worried Dean was in trouble. They always kept an eye on their new friends. They relaxed when they saw a big smile on his face.

"Look at Sammy!" The toddler was crawling towards a huge pillow, reaching up as if he was trying to stand up. "C'mon, Sammy, you can do it!" Dean encouraged his little brother.

Sammy looked around at everyone staring at him. He went back to the task at hand. Mrs. Hudson walked in with the tea, then was shushed by Sherlock and John.

"Oh my." She whispered. Quietly setting the tray down, she walked over to Sam.

"De? De!" Sammy's chubby fingers gripped the pillow tight.

"Yeah, Sammy, I'm right here!" Dean stood on his knees a few feet from Sammy.

The younger brother waved one hand up and down, then scooted his foot forward. Dean never looked away, silently encouraging his brother. Sammy let go with his second hand and stood freely for a minute, looking around.

"Sammy."

The first step counted, even though it lasted only about five seconds. He fell down, and John and Sherlock silently cursed.

"Sammy, c'mon."

Sammy got up, held his hands up, and Dean mirrored his brother's gestures. He put another foot forward, then what felt like hours later, took another step. Sammy giggled, pleased with himself and clapped.

"Good job, Sammy!"

Dean's praise sent Sammy practically running forward into his big brother's arms.

"Did you guys see that? Sammy can walk! He can walk!"

Everyone laughed, each congratulating little Sammy.

"De! De!" Dean hugged him tight. "I'm so proud of you, Sammy!"


Mycroft walked down the hallway, preparing to tell the Prince the latest update on the boys. He found him on the rooftop, looking out past the walls.

"Your Higness, it seems that Sam has taken his first steps."

"So he's getting stronger?" Jim asked without turning around.

"It would appear."

Jim stepped back from the edge and walked towards Mycroft. "Patience is a virtue that I have mastered over the years. But, I can't help but wonder why it's taking him so long to get here."

"There have been complications."

"I know." Jim rolled his eyes. "Anyways, how long till they're ready now?"

"Twenty-one years and three days."

Jim rubbed his temples. "Maybe I should've, no, no! It has to be this way! Any old man off the street won't do!"

"No, Sire, it wouldn't. How about we go downstairs?"

Jim looked one past time at the night sky, not a star shining. "Alright, it's boring outside anyway."