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The two of them stayed like that, wrapped in each other's arms, for a few minutes, but to them it could've felt like hours. A week without seeing each other could have done a lot of damage, but it could do some strengthening to a relationship. To the Winchester relationship, it only made them stronger. And as much as I wanted to leave the two alone and let them have a chick flick moment that the two of them dreaded so much, I knew that they both needed me and Caleb there for support.

"Dean," John whispered back.

"Dad."

"Hey, Dean," John said. He lifted Dean off his shoulder. "How are you feeling?"

"Better now that you're here," Dean replied. "Where's Sammy?" Dean looked around apprehensively for his younger brother.

"He's at Pastor Jim's. He'll be here in a few days."

I made a mental note to call Jim before we left. Those two would take care of Dean if we took longer than planned. And Dean always calmed down whenever Sam was around him. I gave John the end of a new bandage that needed to get wrapped around Dean's ribs. "Dean, breathe," I said.

Dean nodded and concentrated on his breathing. He carefully lifted his arms and rested his hands on his father's shoulders. "Dad, I'm sorry," Dean said.

"For what?" John asked.

"Getting nabbed," he whispered, chastising himself.

The three of us froze in place, shocked. The kid sure did have some kind of complex. Did he really just say that he thought that all this was his fault? "Whoa," John started. "This wasn't your fault. From what I've heard, you got away from seven people possessed by demons. That's not an easy thing to do, Dean."

"I shouldn't have gotten caught off guard."

"Blaze, when one demon has a hit out on you, it's hard enough to get away. But seven of them?" Caleb replied, breaking his silence.

"I'm just glad you're alive," John said.

I finished wrapping Dean's chest, tying the end securely. "Dean, breathe," I said.

He inhaled just as he did the first night I wrapped him. "It's good," he replied.

"Dean," John started, "you're squeezing my shoulders so hard that you're cutting off the circulation to them." Dean slowly exhaled, releasing the grip on his father's shoulders. "Dean, now isn't the time to be hiding an injury."

"Just adjusting."

John took his son's arms off of his shoulders and gently pushed him on his back. "Let Bobby check you over, Dean."

Dean looked up at his father, intently as if he were reading something off of him. "Dad, what's wrong?" Dean asked as I probed his ribs. He winced as I pushed on a tender spot. Maybe they weren't broken and just cracked. Dean always was one to push aside his pain if someone else was in it.

John sighed and looked away. It always amazed me as to how easy Dean was able to read his father. And calm him. God bless the kid for being the only person able to pacify John Winchester. He must've gotten it from his mother. That had to be the plausible explanation, because Sam definitely took after John in personality, which lead to their constant butting of heads.

But Dean.

The level-head. He was able to see past revenge and look at the bigger picture. But most of all, he was always able to see past whatever mask any of us put on. Especially his father's. And more importantly because not many knew what went on in John Winchester's head.

"Dean, we're going to have to leave you for a few days," John stated. He looked back at his son an unspoken apology passing between them. "Jim can't get here soon enough, and there are some demons that I want to send back to Hell."

The look in Dean's eyes told me that he made the connection. He knew that we were going after the demons at his school. "I can—"

"No, you're not coming with us," Caleb interrupted. Dean was predictable.

"Us?"

"Bobby and Caleb are coming with me. But I'm contemplating if I should leave you alone."

"Just go. I'll be fine," Dean said.

"Dean," John replied.

"Dad," Dean said to stop his father. "just salt all the windows and doors, and round the bed. I'll only get out of bed to pee. Give me some sedatives and I'll take them. Knock me out for most of the day. Not that I even need them, I'm exhausted."

The three of us stared at the young hunter in awe. "Dean, when the hell did you grow up?" John asked.

"Thirteen years ago," he replied softly. "You three should head out soon."

"Dean."

"Dad. Just get rid of the demons then when you get back, you can stop worrying and tend to me."

I had to laugh at that statement, and so did Caleb and John. "Like you'll let that happen," I replied.

Dean flashed his trademark smile. "No, but I like to let you guys think you can keep me in bed."

"Blaze," Caleb said. He knew that Dean was trying to make it so we didn't have to worry about him, but we couldn't help it.

"Caleb, I'll be fine."

"You know what, I'll stay," I said. "I don't feel right about leaving you alone." I needed to keep Dean safe. That was priority one. But damn, I wanted to get the bastards that did this to him.

He looked at me like he looked at his father when he was trying to see what John was feeling. "Bobby, I'm not five years old anymore. Go. I know you want your revenge."

And he read me like a book. With child's print. "Not at the expense of you relapsing. You haven't even broken your fever yet."

"When was the last time that I—"

"Blaze," Caleb interrupted him again. "Don't even start off a sentence with those words, because the three of us can recall any of the times you try to finish it with." Caleb looked and John and me and we nodded, knowing how true his words were. "The last time you got deathly sick? Four months ago."

"The last time you broke a bone?" John asked. "Ten months ago."

"The last time you relapsed?" I started.

"Eleven weeks ago," the three of us stated.

"We can go on," Caleb said.

"I'd rather you not. I'd rather you just go."

"Trying to get rid of us, are you?" Caleb asked.

"Yes," Dean said.

Dean's way of telling us that he was done arguing and we were going on the hunt. "Okay," John agreed. "One day travel. One to two days to set up the mass exorcism. And one day travel back. That's our timetable."

"Mass exorcism?"

"We're going after the bastards that did this to you," Caleb replied.

"Okay," Dean resigned.

The three of us looked at each other, perplexed. I resisted the urge to walk over to Dean and see if his temperature had climbed because this was way too easy. "Wait, no argument?" Caleb noticed.

"I'm tired, Caleb. It's no sense trying to fight the three of you."

"Dean."

"Dad, go. Those guys, they're good people, for the most part. They're just being used to get to you."

"Me?" John asked.

"Hunters. All hunters. They wanted the network," Dean said.

"So, they came after you?" John said. I caught the hint of guilt in his voice.

"Better than Sammy." He was so protective of his little brother.

"Dean," John said remorsefully.

"Dad. I'm getting really tired of you saying my name like I can't handle what's being thrown at me," he replied, mildly irritated.

"I'm just—"

"Angry that I got caught with my pants down," Dean interrupted. "I know."

"Dean. I'm not angry."

"You can't lie to me, dad."

"Dean," John repeated.

"Dad, I know you better than anyone," Dean said. Which was true. John Winchester was a friggin enigma to everyone besides his family. But out of his sons, Dean knew John better. "You're angry."

"Fine, I'm angry," John exploded. He inhaled before he spoke again. "But not at you," he continued, calmer. "I'm angry at the fact that I didn't catch onto this sooner and that you had to suffer for it. I'm angry that I didn't find you. I'm angry that you didn't come to me as soon as you escaped. But most of all, Dean, I'm terrified. Because I almost lost you."

"Dad," Dean said in the tone his father had been saying his name.

"No, because you want to know the first thing that came to my head when you didn't come home that first night? It was that your mother would be so disappointed in what I did to you. That I brought you into this mess and you were probably hurt because of it. And then I thought about what I would have to tell Sammy if I didn't find you. Dean, I'm sorry."

Dean made it onto his elbows to look at his father. "For what?"

"For dragging you into this life."

"You don't get to apologize."

"Why the hell not?" John asked.

"Because, you're my father," Dean said, as if that fact gave John immunity. "I'm the son. I'm the one supposed to be making all the mistakes." Although he sounded like the father in the conversation.

"Dean," John repeated in the same tone he'd been saying it in for the past few minutes.

"Seriously, dad. You're making me want to change my name," Dean joked. "But honestly, if you need me to say that I forgive you, I won't. Because there is nothing to be forgiven. You are my dad. She was my mom. We both love her. End of story."

"End of story, huh?" John replied with a smile.

"Well, end of explanation," he said and flopped back onto his back.

"Okay," John agreed, done with the chick flick moment that they let occur. "How are you feeling?"

"And don't try to lie to the three of us, Blaze," Caleb threatened, although it held no grounds.

"I feel better than I have been the past few days."

"Smooth, Dean," I replied, him giving us a pretty vague answer.

"What can I say? I try," he said proudly.

"Dean, if you want us to postpone—"

"No," he stated adamantly, interrupting me. "Don't use me stuck in this bed as an excuse. I want you guys to send those demons back to Hell."

"We will, son," I said. "For you."

"No, not for me. For the people possessed."

We all stared somberly at Dean and all made a promise to send the demons back to hell for the people who were possessed, like Dean wanted. But also for him.

Caleb and I left Dean and John in the room. They looked like they needed some alone time before we left for the school.

Caleb walked upstairs, while I walked toward the nearest phone. As soon as I got into my study, I grabbed my phone and dialed a number that was basically programmed into my existence. I waited for someone to pick up. "Hello?" someone answered on the other line.

"Jim, it's Bobby."

"Bobby," Jim answered. "I'm guessing that you came across John."

"Yeah. And I heard that you were on a hunt."

"Yeah, I am. Just trying to find the time to go between this, church, and Sammy here. He's so worried about Dean. And he's angry at his father for ditching him on one hunt and handing him off to another."

"Tell him that Dean's fine."

"You found him?" Jim asked hopefully.

"He came to me," I replied.

And it hit me. Dean actually came to me for once in his life. He trusted me enough to come to me. My God. That made me proud.

"And he's all right?" Jim said, interrupting my thoughts. "You know that boy can hide an injury better than anyone I know."

"He's fine, Jim."

"So, why do you sound like you need a favor?" Jim replied.

Damn that Jim and his ability to sense things like this, even states away. "Is your hunt over?" I asked.

"Not yet. But what is your favor anyway?"

"Caleb, John and me are all going to Dean's high school."

"Why?" he asked.

"There are some demons there that need exorcising," I replied, simple and to the point.

"How many is some?"

I should've known. I never could be vague with that man. And like I'm going to lie to a Pastor, and even more, to a friend. "Seven."

"Do you need my help?" Jim asked, concerned.

"No, I… we need you to come and watch over Dean."

"Why does he need to be watched over?"

"His fever hasn't broken yet. And he's still healing."

"Fever? Healing from what?"

"The seven demons went after Dean to get to us."

"Us?" he asked. "Like us specifically? Was this a personal attack?" I should have chosen my words better.

"No, like us as hunters. They wanted the network. But something in me is telling me that Dean wasn't just some random target."

"He never is," Jim replied.

How true it was. Every time that Dean got hurt, our side got more information for the fight. It was like he had a target on his back. But it didn't help he had a complex that made him want to sacrifice himself for the people he loved. And I can't count how many times that Dean was already taken or attacked to get to us. "I know."

"So, what do you need me to do?"

"Nothing until you finish your hunt."

"Of course," Jim replied. He knew that Dean didn't want any hunt to be abandoned for him. "Of course."

"How is Sammy?" I asked. I wanted to know how the youngest Winchester was doing.

"He's all right. Just mad that his dad left him here to finish his homework. And he's worried about his brother. At least now I can tell him that Dean is all right."

Luckily one of the Winchesters could get some sleep without demon hunting on their mind. Dean had already been hunting for more than half his lifetime at Sam's age, but everyone wanted to protect Sam's innocence. We would've done the same for Dean, but as depressing as it sounded, his innocence was taken along with his mother's life.

"You do that, Jim." I looked up when I heard Dean's door close. John entered the study looking worn down. "Jim, I'm gonna have to go."

"All right, Bobby. You take care of Dean and make sure John and Caleb don't let their revenge blind them. I'll bring Sammy up as soon as I'm done here."

"Sounds good. I'll see you when we get back," I replied and hung up the phone.

Caleb chose that exact moment to trot down the stairs. My eyes darted between Caleb and John waiting for one of them to say something. "Get everything ready," John said. "We leave in the morning."

John walked out of the room and Caleb followed wordlessly. I sat for a few minutes before I made any sort of movement. I've never wanted revenge more in my life than now, but I've never been so anxious about a hunt either. I had a feeling that no matter what happened, everything was going to change.

Here is the next chapter. Honestly, you guys are amazing readers and reviewers. So, I'm almost finished writing the story. I think there are three to four chapters left in it. I hope that this chapter turned out all right. Thanks to everyone for reading. Please review. Lil-Rock