Sorry it's taken a while to upload this chapter, it's been a busy time for both me and my beta, so both writing&editing this chapter was delayed :) Chapter 8 should be up fairly soon!

"Did you miss me, Rosie?" Dean asked as he plucked the baby up, cradling her in his arms, empty plate left before him. "'cause I missed you."

"She likes lying on chests," Sam spoke quietly, watching the scene play out from behind his cup of coffee. "I think she likes the heartbeat, lets her sleep faster."

Dean gently shifted the baby so her head was just tucked in below his neck, her tiny little hand made its way up his shirt till it rested by her cheek. It pulled a proud smile out of the older brother. Dean looked over to see Sammy watching him and couldn't help being a little more relaxed; some of the things Sam had said, had done – well it had worried his brother. It must have been hard for him, losing his wife like that, but he shouldn't take it out on his daughter, should make an effort, one he was glad to see was finally happening.

"You did good, Sammy," Dean gestured to the ceiling.

"One in every room," Sam smirked. He hadn't forgotten how to be a hunter, how to be careful. He didn't think he ever would. "Good thing I did considering the fiasco with the salt," Sam sighed, hunching over slightly, feeling so idiotic. What point was there in trying to defend his daughter if he was just going to brush aside that the first time he saw a familiar face?

"Hey," Dean nudged Sam sharply. "Yes it was a stupid move, but it worked out. No use crying over spilt milk."

"I know, but-"

"Look, the black eyed bitch-"

"Don't call her that," Sam warned, interrupting. Casey wasn't some unknown victim to Sam. She'd been a friend. A friend that deserved respect.

"At least you trapped the bi-demon," Dean emphasised with an eye roll at Sam's glare. "- before she could do any harm. Better than letting her do more damage." The older brother was worriedly watching Sam as he subconsciously stroked Rose's fingers with his thumb.

"I guess," Sam mumbled, finishing his coffee and heading into the kitchen. Dean shook his head discreetly and turned his attention to his niece; she'd started to wriggle and whimper. The tears began when he'd finished rearranging her.

"What's up, hmm?" he asked softly.

"Diaper," Sam said instantly as he walked back into the room.

"Nice," Dean's expression turned to a slight grimace. "Here we go Daddy," Dean said trying to pass the baby back even as Sam started backing away, hand raised.

"She hasn't seen you in a while. Maybe she wants you to do it," Sam smirked, and Dean glared before shaking his head in amusement.

"Whatever," he stood up. "Right, looks like you got me on diaper duty, Rosie, let's get you cleaned up."

A small smile grew on Sam's lips, and he went to wash up.

Dean returned downstairs with Rose in one arm, wearing a fresh onesie and a hat with ears.

"Y'know, Dean, a diaper change means you only change the diaper. She doesn't need a full change of clothes all the time," Sam leaned against the living room doorway as Dean sat down. He brushed some hair from his eyes and frowned. "Where did you find those?"

After Dean had found the set of storybooks, Sam had committed himself to properly look through a bunch of boxes and bags that Jess had stored in Rose's room. After this search, he found numerous things he hadn't even been aware that Jess had bought. He'd found clothes, toys, stuffed animals and other objects. Most of the clothes were toddler size, and there were even a few dresses large enough for a five or seven year old. Sam had thought he was aware of all the clothes Rose had, but he didn't recognise the ones Rosie was wearing at all.

"Bought 'em," Dean grinned. "Had some spare cash, so I thought I'd get Rose her first present from her favourite Uncle."

Sam smiled, "Thanks, Dean. Let's see."
Dean laid Rose on her back on the couch to allow the youngest Winchester to inspect the new outfit. Sam had to admit, it was pretty adorable; pale pink in colour, white cats printed across it and the hat had small triangular ears. Sam never would have chosen it but then again, Dean had always been Dean.

"Cute," Sam reached and tenderly stroked Rose's cheek with one finger, "I think she likes it."

"Of course she does, it's from me. You're welcome Rosie," Dean smiled at Sam, lifting Rose again. For the first time, Rose's mouth spread into a small smile, and Dean began to laugh quietly.

"See? Proof. I am her favourite person. She smiled at me before anyone else!" he said triumphantly. "Uncle Dean is the greatest," Sam deadpanned with a roll of his eyes. "But how do you know she hasn't already smiled at me before?"

"Well, has she?" Dean's eyes widened a moment, afraid of losing the tiny piece of glory.

"Nope," Sam shrugged.

"Well then," Dean winked, but quickly tired of the subject, "Is there a park or something here?"

"Yeah, not far. Why?"

"We should take her on a little outing tomorrow," Dean suggested, "The most she gets out is to the supermarket, and even then probably in the car."

Sam sighed, pushing away from the wall and sitting on the couch, "I don't have the energy for going out unless I have to."

"It'd do you good, Sammy. And her," Dean's eyes were soft as he looked at his niece, whose smile had since disappeared, "Sittin' around and doing jack squat is helping nothing."

"Dean-"

"We'll go out to that park tomorrow, wherever it is. And if you're a good boy, I'll get you ice cream," Dean's boyish grin appeared on his face, but it only frustrated Sam further.

"Hilarious," he mumbled, going to prepare dinner.

Dean sat at the dining table with the steak and fries cooked by Sam, eating messily and as if his plate was about to get snatched from him any second. Opposite him sat his brother, no plate or food in front of him. Rose observed the scene from the baby chair on the table. Sam knew she hated that thing, but at that moment he wasn't in the mood to hold her.

"Where's your food?" Dean said through a mouthful of steak. Sam strived not to gag.

"Not hungry," he said instantly. He thought he'd got out of this phase. The first few days at home on his own with Rose, Sam had almost completely lost his appetite, but he was beginning get back to normal.

"Eat," Dean said sternly.

"I don't want to," Sam childishly turned away from him, looking down at the table instead of meeting his big brother's eyes.

"Why the hell not?" Dean scowled a little, concern bleeding through as he looked over Sam more thoroughly. "Hey, when was the last time you ate?"

The younger brother refused to answer properly, just mumbling "Earlier," to get Dean off his case.

"Sam," the older Winchester narrowed his eyes, kicking his brother under the table. "This is serious, when did you last eat."

In all honesty, the younger brother couldn't really remember the last time he'd eaten more than a few mouthfuls. It wasn't that he was trying not to eat more, there were always other things to do, to think about, his own eating habits never crossed his mind. Sam had lost himself so deep in thought that it took Dean slamming a hand on the table to grab his attention, startling the both of them.

Sam turned back to face him, "I'm sorry."

"You're not," Dean snapped, "It's happening again. You're just like him."

Sam didn't need a name to know who he was referring to, "I'm nothing like him."

"Letting your wife's death take over? Remind you of anyone?" Dean stared at him long and hard. "You need to take care of her. And yourself. Take Rosie out, even if it's for like five minutes to start with. She needs to get out, so do you."

Sam nodded in acknowledgement.

"And for crying out loud. Eat!" Dean pushed away his empty plate.

"Dean, I…"

"Don't make me force feed you, because I will," Dean glared.

"Alright, alright," Sam raised his hands in surrender, "I'll eat, go out, whatever. I normally eat. Just right now I don't want to. I'll eat later."

"You better," Dean narrowed his eyes.

It took a few hours, but eventually Sam kept to his word and made himself a grilled cheese sandwich after bathing Rose and putting her to bed. He struggled to sleep that night, just like the first nights alone. The bed felt too empty, and one morning woke to find himself holding her pillow. He stared at the ceiling in the pitch black room, allowing every thought, negative or otherwise, to rush around his head. Memories were running around in his head, thoughts, senses, her smell just getting too much for him. His mind was wired. Sleep was out of the question, thanks to the numerous amounts of coffee. Instead, Sam gave up, carefully sliding out of bed and walking downstairs, he pulled up his laptop, the bright light making his eyes sting as he adjusted and started flicking through the news. He'd been out of the world for too long as it was, maybe Dean was right, maybe he should start acting normal when he felt the opposite. They had never been normal; was it too much to ask that his wife and child may be?

The first few news articles were boring, the standard misery woe and corruption that ran rife throughout the world but there was one that stood out above the rest, one article that instantly raised the hairs on the back of his neck, one he had spent the last five years turning his back from.

WISCONSIN MYSTERY CLAIMS SECOND VICTIM

Instead of clicking away, instead of hoping his brother and father would see to it like he had before, he viewed the article becoming more and more convinced that this was something more than met the eye. Two people had died in a town near Milwaukee. The first had been a man in his late thirties, Daniel Clearwater, who had gouged his own eyes out before later dying in hospital from an unexpected infection. It was stressed that Daniel had been in intensive care, and extremely careful measures were taken to prevent infection. Sam began to make a note of the story before reading on. The second victim, a woman in her mid-twenties, Katie Wilson, was found dead after scalping herself and slashing her wrists with the same blade. She was known to be a work colleague of the first victim. From Sam's experience, he was sure Dean and his expertise would be more effective in resolving the issue than any officer. The brother saved the file before shutting his laptop.

Just as Sam got back into bed, Rose woke and began to get restless, her whimpers quickly escalating into loud wails. Sitting up again, he lifted the baby from her crib, gently rocking her. She quietened down as he held her, but Sam knew what she really wanted was to be fed.

"Rosie okay?" Dean mumbled from his bedroom doorway, half asleep, as Sam crept to the kitchen in almost pitch black.

"Just hungry," Sam whispered in reply.

"Awesome," Dean shuffled back to bed and began snoring a couple seconds before his head hit the pillow.

Sam sat at the kitchen counter to feed Rose, who seemed to finish the bottle in record timing. The table became a welcoming resting place, and Sam was forced to fight the urge to let himself sleep where he was. He got himself upstairs to the comfort of his bed. As he walked to his room, Sam's tired mind contemplated the potential danger of allowing Rose to share his bed for the remainder of the night. He'd hated the empty feeling of the bed, and perhaps Rose would wake less because she was by him. But he was terrified of waking up to find he crushed her in his sleep. He shook his head to eliminate the thought and put Rose safely to bed before getting into his own and finally falling asleep.

It was a surprise for the youngest brother to come downstairs to Dean mid-way through making breakfast for the family.

"Morning, Sammy," Dean said loudly, briefly looking in his brother's direction before returning his attention to the cooking bacon. He glanced back over to Rose. "Good morning, little lady."

Rose's blue eyes stared at her uncle for a few moments, but an unnerved Dean looked away at the memories of Castiel staring back at him.

Sam placed Rose in the baby chair on the dining table and went to get plates for their breakfasts.

"How do bacon sandwiches sound?" Dean took the plates from Sam and placed two slices on each one, spreading an excessive amount of butter on each slice. Sam was certain he felt his heart clench just looking at it.

"So get this, Dean," Sam began, "I think I-"

"Breakfast is served," Dean announced proudly, placing a plate in front of his brother, "Eat up, Sammy. Need your protein."

"I think I found a case for you, Dean," Sam said after a few bites of his sandwich.

"Really now. Tryin' to get rid of me?" Dean teased, and Sam subtly clenched his fist.

"If you'd listen," he said as calmly as he could manage, "Two people in a town outside Milwaukee died, and-"

"Sounds thrilling, I'm sure," Dean grinned.

"Dean, please," he sighed in exasperation, "Let me finish."
Dean raised his hands in surrender and shrugged, gesturing for Sam to continue.

"The first died in hospital from an infection," Sam raised his hand before Dean could comment, "But only after gouging his own eyes out."

"The hell?" Dean frowned. "How did he even do that?"

"Who cares how, Dean? The second victim scalped herself and slashed her wrists."

"Any connection?" Dean took a bite of his sandwich and leaned back in his seat.

"Work colleagues. That's all so far," Sam shrugged, "I'll show you the article."

After the rest of the morning was spent on more research and a few phone calls, Dean called Bobby to talk it over while Sam watched over his daughter. Dean assumed that Sam would want to stay home with Rose, and he respected that. He wasn't exactly keen on bringing a baby to a case, and he doubted Bobby would babysit even if Dean really wanted to be on the road with him again, just the two of them, brothers.

Bobby arrived at Sam's house as the day began to darken. The moment the call had ended he'd been on his way. Sam had no choice but to set up the couch for the older hunter, Dean having already established his own room. It wasn't like they'd be spending long at Sam's house anyway.

Bobby parked outside Sam's house and looked at it in awe. Kid had done good, made a valiant effort to leave it all behind, Bobby would have been happy to never see him again if it meant he got out.

"You did well, boy," he muttered to himself before getting out his car and walking slowly to door There was anticipation in his stomach as he climbed the steps, an eagerness to see Sam, Dean had never been the same without his brother. It'd be nice to see both the idiots just smile for once. They were still only kids really.

"Go get the door, Sammy," Dean said nodding towards it as he stroked Rose's fingers. The two brothers had spent the day out, and Sam had shown Dean around the city. Rose had stayed calm and quiet in her stroller, going between peaceful sleep and inquisitive consciousness. Dean had noticed Castiel a few times, walking in a crowd or standing from a distance, watching the stroller intently. Dean was slightly relieved that Sam hadn't. The oldest Winchester went over to the angel once when Sam was in a queue, said hello, asked him what he was doing.

Castiel had blinked, tilted his head to the side, squinted and said, "Watching over you." It was creepy enough for Dean to just nod and leave him to it.

The more they unravelled about the case, the more disconcerting it became. The deaths occurred just two days apart, and both just as they arrived home from work. There seemed to be no trigger or indication as to why they did what they did.

Sam went to the door, letting out a shaking breath as he reached to open it. There was a moment that seemed much longer than it actually was when all they did was stare at each other. Bobby had barely changed at all, wearing a baseball cap and the same beard that never seemed to have changed since Sam could remember. Sam, however, had changed so much since Bobby had last seen him. His boyish, teenage looks had since disappeared, and his hair seemed to have been left to grow out. The wide, inquisitive eyes had become dull and tired. Stubble lined the young lawyer's jaw, something Bobby was sure he had never seen on him before, and he quickly realised. The boy he'd taken to the ball parks and on fishing trips was long gone. Sam Winchester had definitely grown up.

"It's good to see ya," Bobby's gruff voice broke the silence, and he pulled Sam into a hug. "So good to see ya."

"You too, Bobby," Sam whispered, closing his eyes tight. "Come in."

Bobby couldn't help but take a few moments to look at his surroundings, the same as Dean had.

"Nice place," he commented boldly. Sam stood awkwardly, his shoulders hunched as he thought of what to say. There was so much and yet no place to start.

"Want a beer, Bobby?" Dean passed Rose to her father and nodded for him to take Bobby in the living room. Sam waited for Bobby's response before sitting on the couch.

"Sure," Bobby shrugged, following Sam into the room. Rose let out a single cry before wriggling and settling again on Sam's chest. Bobby properly noticed the baby for the first time since he'd arrived.

"Saw the pictures you sent," the old hunter nodded towards Rose, "Cute kid."

Sam couldn't help but smile, "Like her mom."

"Dean seems kinda fond," the old hunter raised his eyebrows at Dean as he gave him a can of beer and taking the baby from his brother straight away.

"He is. He's good with her. She settles down with him quicker," Sam looked to his brother with a hint of envy. Dean snorted.

"Just 'cause I'm her favourite person doesn't mean you're not good with her too. I mean, you pretty much know what every cry means," he shrugged. "She totally loves you, y'know."

"Well, yer both doin' a good job," Bobby nodded, opening the beer can. "'Specially you, Sam. Given circumstances."

Sam nodded. "I'm managing."

Bobby shook his head. "Ya look like crap."

Sam hadn't noticed his weight loss, but it was one of the most prominent things about him to those who knew him best, had known him before. His cheek bones stuck out, and his whole face was gaunt with dark circles underneath his eyes. Dean thought better than to verbally agree with Bobby's statement. Sam sighed at the comment and looked at his feet, not enjoying the attention. He accepted Rose back and held her close to his chest as if he were the child and she his comforter. Bobby's expression softened a little.

"Y'wanna see what Sam found for us?" Dean pitched. He'd already said his peace about this. The relief was obvious in his brother' eyes when the attention moved away from him. He carried on cuddling his daughter close to his chest, and she nestled close to his warmth. He smiled to himself and held her hand his finger and thumb.

Sam was tired, slipping away when the hunters started pouring over the research. This was something he hadn't missed, he thought as he slipped his daughter into her crib and let the mutterings of the two people he trusted most in the world lull him into some much needed sleep.

Rose's crying at 7am managed to wake the whole house up. Bobby was tempted to yell for Sam to shut her up, but after reasoning with himself he realised it wasn't exactly appropriate, or fair on the young father. Despite the noise irritating him, he knew Sam would sort it out.

Bobby had never pictured either of the boys starting a family, even though a normal life was what he'd wanted most for them, all their lives. He'd wanted them to marry, have children, but life never really worked like that. Seeing Sam holding his baby daughter and caring for her was a bit too left-field for Bobby, yet watching him relieved him and made something clench in his chest . Sam had achieved what he'd wanted for him, and was doing well. Considering.

Sam went downstairs as quietly as possible so as not to disturb Bobby further, and as quickly as he could he warmed Rose's bottle. The cries had reduced to feeble whimpers, but disappeared completely as she began to feed. Once she had finished, Sam put the bottle away and found Bobby watching him.

"Ya alright?" Bobby asked quietly. "Got used to the early wake up calls yet?"

"I'm getting there," Sam looked at Rose, nestled into her father's chest with her eyes fixated on the wall. "All part of the job I guess."

"You'll manage. We all manage with what we get," Bobby shrugged suddenly looking his age. It was a tiny reminder that the man himself had once had a wife, knew how it felt to lose her. Well, there was always something to get them into hunting and it was never pretty.

"Did you want kids, Bobby?" Sam asked in a small voice, never wanting to push him on the issue, never really asking him about his life before.

"Sam," Bobby sounded so exhausted in that one word.

"I'm sorry," Sam added quickly. "That wasn't fair to ask."

The older man got up and pattered over to where the young father still stood, cradling his daughter. Bobby smirked a little when two giant eyes focused on him and gently ruffled her hair. "I got you boys, that's all that matters."

Sam nodded, smile growing on his own cheeks before a stab of guilt. "I'm sorry. For not calling, not telling you about Jess or the baby –"

Bobby nodded. "S'alright. I get it, I do. Ain't an easy life we live, sometimes it's just better to just leave it all behind, pretend there isn't a monster in the closest."

"Bobby, I didn't mean-" Sam hastened to amend but the older man didn't give him the chance.

"Yeah ya did and I can't blame ya. If I coulda stayed with Karen, lived that life –" he paused to look up at Sam with such deep eyes. "I wouldn't have bet on me ever becoming this. And that don't mean I'm not glad for you boys, it just means what it does."

"Who's making breakfast?" Dean came downstairs, "Oh, sorry, did I interrupt a chick flick moment?"

"No," Bobby and Sam said in unison.

"Well then, get on breakfast, Sammy," Dean grinned, taking Rose and gesturing for Sam to get to work.

"I think I see her Dad in her," Dean said to Bobby as they both walked to the living room, "Poor kid."

Bobby folded his bed sheets and put them in the corner.

"Yeah, like your kids would be prettier," Bobby snorted.

"Hey, I never said she wasn't pretty," Dean gently bounced Rosie and rubbed her back, "But imagine if she gets a mane like his."

"Yeesh," Bobby shuddered, sitting down and flicking the TV on, "Now that would be somethin'."

"What would be weird?" Sam asked as he started bringing the food through.

"If Rose doesn't grow up as awesome as her uncle," Dean smiled innocently.

"Right…" Sam frowned.

Dean and Bobby left after breakfast, deciding that there was definitely something up there, even if they weren't sure what it was. He wasn't so worried this time. Bobby and Dean could look out for each other. This time, Dean didn't have to fight alone.

It had been a while since he'd gone to the store, enough so that when he reached into the box for another diaper whilst changing Rose he found out there was only one left. What Dean had said earlier stuck in his head and he prepared the stroller for a walk down to the store. Maybe the fresh air would do him some good. Some of Sam's neighbours greeted him, glad to see him after he seemed to disappear for the past few weeks. A family a few doors down knew Jessica's family and word of her death had spread. It was clear they were unsure whether to go ask him about it or leave him be. Sam wasn't sure which was better anymore.

Sam didn't stop to talk, and instead went straight to the store after a few quick greetings. He already felt a little better, just with the short walk to the store, and Rose had easily settled down to sleep in her stroller. He had aimed to only buy some more diapers, but ended up buying more food for Dean. He made his way to the cashier after overfilling the stroller's basket, but accidentally drove the stroller into someone as he allowed his mind to wander. She gasped, yelping as her foot was run over and dropped her almost-empty basket. Sam immediately went to her aid.

"I'm sorry," he gasped, "I wasn't concentrating. Are you alright?"

Brown eyes looked up at him through a sheet of dark hair. Sam helped her up and picked up her basket for her. "S'alright. Happens to all of us," she smiled at him. He found himself smiling back, but began to feel guilty about it almost immediately.

"Cute baby," she nodded, "What's her name?"

"Rose," Sam choked out, "And I'm Sam."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Sam Winchester," her smile grew as she reached to shake his hand. "Call me Ruby."

As always, I love your thoughts so please review and let me know what you think! :D Thanks a million squillion to my awesome beta, swoopswoop, who always helps out so much :D