Chapter 7
"Hey bro, we're home," Dean told Sam as he opened the garage door.
"Wha..." Sam slurred sitting up and wiping the drool from his mouth and chin hoping Dean didn't see it and decide to take photos like last time. He wiped his eyes and looked around seeing Dean had stopped the car in the garage.
"We're home wake up," Dean grunted as he opened the car door and got out popping his back and shoulders.
"'kay," Sam said getting out and stretching his arms over his head to get the stiffness from them.
"You can take your things on to the guest bedroom Dad," Dean told his father when he stepped into the garage.
"Alright son," John replied getting his bag from the back seat of his car. He went back inside and waited as Sam unlocked the garage door and turned off the alarm. He headed down the hall to the guest bedroom to leave his bag before joining them in the kitchen
"Want something to drink or to snack on?" Dean asked him pulling a water from the fridge. He tossed one to Sam who was too slow and watched it go through his hands and hit the floor at his feet. "Not got your head in the game Sammy. Need to be alert at all times. You never know when something might reach out and attack."
"Sorry," Sam said reaching to pick it up and dropping into a bar stool. "Still sluggish from the drive I guess."
"Water's good," he said sitting down beside Sam at the bar.
"That was a great gift for Hot Rod, Dad."
"It seemed fitting, I know how much he loves your car," John said. "Knew I couldn't go wrong with it."
"Where did you find it?"
"Oh, I had a friend of a friend that took one and redesigned it a little to look like the Impala."
"I'm beat, I'm going on to bed," Sam told them trying not to yawn as he talked.
"See you in the morning Sammy," Dean replied with a wave.
"Nite Sam," John told him.
"Nite," Sam replied to both of them before heading downstairs to his apartment. He was looking forward to sleeping in his own bed tonight.
"He seems to be doing okay," John commented after Sam had left and got out of earshot.
"Yeah, he's a fighter and has adjusted pretty well to all the changes."
"I think it did you both good to move up here."
"Yeah, I like we're closer to everyone, especially Hot Rod."
"I can see why, he's a pistol," John chuckled. "Reminds me of you when you were that age. So you have any plans for us?"
"I thought we'd hit the flea market since they are having a car show there too and Sammy's been wanting to check out some museum that opened a couple of months ago."
"Sounds good, I think I'll turn in, I'm tired from the driving."
"Alright Dad, see you in the morning. If we're not here when you get up, we've gone running. Want to join us?"
"I don't think so, these old bones don't run that well anymore," John laughed knowing he couldn't keep with his boys. It never occurred to him to not consider Sam a son too, and he treated him that way ever since he met him that night at the cabin and scared the crap out of him.
spn
John was sipping a cup of coffee when Dean and Sam came back in front their run. He looked up and greeted them as Dean went to the fridge for waters.
"Mornin' boys, have a good run?" John asked taking in their sweaty appearances and red faces.
"Yes, beat him by three feet," Sam said with a smirk getting a slap on the back of the head by Dean. "Sore loser..." Sam mumbled under his breath.
"I'll start some breakfast after I get a shower," Dean told them before heading down the hall.
"I can get it started," John suggested. "I can get the sausage going at least."
"That's fine," Dean called to him.
"Guess I need to get one too; I do smell a bit ripe," Sam said getting up too to head downstairs. "I'll see you in a bit."
John got out a frying pan and set it to heat as he got out a pack of sausage. Once it was sliced and placed in the pan, he got out the eggs and cracked them into a bowl to scramble. He opened the loaf of bread and laid out six slices to butter for toast. He put them in the oven to be ready when the boys came back out. He turned the patties and lowered the heat so it could cook slowly and be hot for their breakfast. He set the table with three plates and silverware before going back to turn on the oven when Dean came back into the room.
"What's left to do?" he asked glancing around.
"I was waiting on doing the eggs until you two were done so they'd be hot," John told him.
"I can do them," Dean said taking milk, salt and pepper to add to the eggs before beating them with a fork.
"I'll pour us some fresh coffee and juice," John replied sitting out cups and glasses. He took the juice and glasses to the table and left them before returning for the cups of coffee.
"Smells good," Sam said as he came back up the stairs fifteen minutes after Dean got to the kitchen, hair still damp from his shower.
"It'll be ready in a couple of minutes," Dean said heating the pan to cook the eggs. He took the toast from the oven and transferred it to a plate before pouring the eggs into the hot pan to cook. "Here, put these on the table while I finish the eggs."
"Alright," Sam said doing as he was told.
They sat down to eat breakfast and after cleaning up headed to the fair grounds where the flea market and car show was taking place. They walked through the flea market checking out vendors and what they had to sell. They walked through the classic cars on display admiring them and talking to the owners of several of them about restoring their cars and how long it took them. They were happy to talk to them and answer any questions they had. They took their time at the fair grounds and decided to have dinner out on John at his suggestion.
spn
"You ready to head out?" Dean asked the next morning after breakfast. "We can go do the tourist thing and grab some lunch out and I though I'd grill some salmon for dinner tonight."
"Sound's good son. You know I'm good with anything from the grill," John told him.
"I got the directions and there's another place not far away we can check out too," Sam said holding up some papers he had printed out.
"Always the Boy Scout aren't ya Sammy?" Dean chuckled knowing how OCD Sam could be at times.
"It pays to be prepared," he shrugged. Sam liked to plan out his trips to have time at the sites and to manage his time.
They headed into the garage and got in the Impala to head out. The drive took a little over an hour and they stayed at the first stop for a couple of hours so Sam could explore every inch of it. The next place was smaller and didn't take as long but it put them being through at just the right time to miss the lunch rush and get some lunch.
They found a nice sub shop and enjoyed the meal before heading back home. Dean figured they could relax on the deck for a while before he started dinner and watch a movie or something that night. He was glad he was getting to spend more time with his father now and wanted to make the most of it. When he joined the Marines right out of school, it was nearly eleven years before he spoke to or even saw his father again. He was glad John wanted to be a part of his life and had accepted Sam as a second son.
spn
John and Sam were sitting on the deck drinking beers while watching Dean get the grill ready to cook the salmon fillet and a mixture of veggies wrapped in tin foil. Soft music was playing from a portable radio Sam had brought out.
"How's your job going Sam?" John asked.
"Good, some days we hardly get a break and others it's kind of slow. I guess it balances out though."
"Are you glad you changed careers?"
"Yes, I think I am. It's hard work sometimes, but the rewards are up there. There are people alive that wouldn't be because I was there on the scene to give them medical attention."
"I'm proud of you," John praised him. "After what you went through back then, you have got your life back together and made something of yourself. I know your father would have been proud of you too."
"Thanks that means a lot to me," Sam said. It made him feel good to know John cared about him like a son and they had build a good relationship. He still had a good one with his stepfather, but he didn't see much of him with his work and travel.
All three looked toward the sliding glass door when a cell started ringing inside.
"I'll go see whose it is," Sam said hurrying inside and coming out a few minutes later with a cell. "It's for you," he said handing John his cell.
"Hello," John said thinking it was someone calling about a job. "Yes, this is John Winchester...Yes I do...What?...Are you sure?...No that's fine, I'll be there tomorrow...Thanks for calling..." John hung up and sat back in his chair staring at nothing in shock.
"Dad?" Dean questioned when he saw his father's face grow pale and the tone of his voice change. "What's wrong?"
"That was the police department from Stillwater, the Roadhouse blew up...Bill and Ellen are dead," he said slowly, as he fought to control his emotions. His hand trembled as he raised it to wipe down his face as the news sunk in.
"No...Not them..." Sam whispered his voice trailing off as it hit him what had happened.
"Are they sure Dad?" Dean asked coming over to sit by his father. "Maybe they weren't in there."
"The explosion happened at three in the morning. By the time the cops and fire department got there...It was a total loss. They found the charred remains in a bedroom..." John said his voice cracking at the end and he couldn't go on. "The coroner will have to run DNA to be positive."
Sam hung his head as soft sobs escaped from between his pinched lips. He closed his eyes as he pictured the family that was gone now. First Jo, and now Bill and Ellen. He felt Dean's hand on his shoulder squeezing gently, letting him know he was there. Sam leaned into it needing to feel that comfort from him.
"How did this happen?" Dean asked, his mind starting to change to military mode.
"They think gas leak, maybe..." John trailed off.
"But you don't sound convinced," Dean questioned knowing the change of tone in his father's voice.
"I'll be leaving in the morning and heading there. I'll need to make arrangements for the burials," John stated as he wiped his face of the tears.
"I'll be there in a couple of days. I'll go in tomorrow and work and head out the next day," Dean told him wanting to be there for support and to be sure things were being done to his liking.
"I'll see about rearranging my work schedule. Maybe I can take me a couple of days, but I'll be there too." Sam said wiping his face on his shirt sleeve.
"Why don't you wait Sam and come for the funeral? I'll have to see when the bodies will be released and make the arrangements. I know it's hard for you to get off work and there's really nothing that you can do if you were there but sit around." John told him.
"He's right Sammy. We'll let you know when things are arranged and you come then," Dean agreed knowing it wouldn't do any good for him to be there standing around doing nothing.
"Alright, I'll go in tomorrow and let them know what's going on then," he said sadly not believing this was happening. They were going to have to bury more family.
"Guess I better finish dinner," Dean said getting up to check the fish. He knew none of them were going to have an appetite, but they needed to try and eat.
Sam and John sat on the deck, both lost in thought of what they had just found out. Neither felt like small talk and waited as Dean finished dinner for them. They went inside and ate their meal. John excused himself so he could get ready to leave the next morning. Sam helped clean the kitchen and headed down to his apartment wanting some alone time. Dean grabbed a book and headed for his bedroom to read before going on to bed himself. The atmosphere in the house was heavy and sad for them all.
A/N: So the fun and games are over with and we get to the drama of the story. Thank you for all who have chosen to read my story. To any guests who left reviews, they were appreciated. I do like to know your thoughts, please review if you can. NC
