Sorry for the wait, guys…I've had a cold and three kids on school holidays. Sleep has been a bit of an issue. Hope this next part is worth the wait…
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" Come on, Connor, it's time little guys like you were in bed." Skye scooped Connor up in her arms, planting a kiss on his cheek as she carried him towards her bedroom, where the portable crib was waiting. Dean had gone for a walk with John and Skye knew they needed their space. It was a lot for Dean to digest, having his father back like that, but she was simply happy Dean had any chance with his father at all. It was something for Dean to hold onto with Sam missing.
In the time that Dean was in his coma, Skye had found John a source of comfort. There'd been stories he'd told her about Dean and Sam, just small snapshots of what his boys were like when they were younger, of the strength of character Dean had shown on a hunt, the way Sam could be the most stubborn person on the planet, but would change instantly if his brother needed him. Simple stories that painted a picture for Skye of how much John loved his boys and how much he hoped he meant to them in return. Skye could only hope that John was getting a sense of that now as he walked the perimeter again with Dean.
Tucking Connor in under his blankets, she ran a hand over his head and made sure he had his bear with him. "You gonna be okay in here, sweetie?"
"Dee diss?"
Skye smiled. " No sweetie, no kiss tonight from Dean, he's busy. You'll see him in the morning, okay?"
The pout that formed on Connor's face caused Skye's heart to ache. She wondered if Dean had ever realised just how important he was to her son? If he had simply driven away that night and never looked back, Skye would have just chalked him up to a wonderful life experience and probably a nice story to tell her son in years to come. The mysterious hero and his brother that had saved them from a vengeful spirit. But Dean hadn't disappeared. He'd called in numerous times with Sam, brought Connor and Skye gifts, kept in touch by phone until they'd been forced to go off the radar. Even then, by leaving the Impala, Dean had made himself a part of Skye and Connor's life. But did he know that? Did he realize how special he was to everyone around him?
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" So have you like tried a loop the loop yet? Or dive bombing? Tell me you've tried dive bombing?" Dean gave his father a cheeky grin as he raised an eyebrow in question.
" No…I haven't looped the loop yet. I'll add it to my list of things to do." John said dryly before he chuckled, shaking his head. Only Dean could think that way, that a set of wings was something to be played with. John would have readily given them up if he could. But they were part of his demon side and John supposed he was grateful that he'd received them and not a set of horns, or one of those damned scaly ass tails he'd seen others with during his time in Hell. It was all part of the demonic sense of humour. Make the demon hunter become part of what he hunted, what he hated.
John hated the damn wings. They itched, they got in the way. He'd been forced to adapt to walking with them on his back and the only time he truly felt comfortable anymore, was in the air, letting them stretch fully and feeling the wind lift him. It was total freedom…but otherwise, he was struggling to adapt to having them, wasn't sure he ever would.
Dean stopped as the reached the eastern corner of the yard, leaning on the fence and staring out at the farmland before him. It was so flat and golden, apparently reaching for miles. He imagined having a set of wings of his own and what it would be like to fly across the landscape, racing his father. Having him back again, it was as if a huge weight was lifted from Dean, despite the questions her had, the conflicts of emotion. Having him back meant there was someone he could talk to about getting Sam back, plan strategies with, a partner he was used to working with too….well, without the wings, but that was one hell of a cool improvement.
" So how did Skye find me?"
John took up a position beside his son, looking across the fields himself. He'd known this shift in topic was coming, the way he had always known the way Dean thought. The boy was good at changing tack in the blink of an eye. " She had dreams about the farm you and your brother were staying at."
" You gave her those dreams?"
" Yeah."
" Did she…" Dean paused for a moment and John could already detect a slight tremor in his son's voice. " Did…did she see me die?"
" No. You were already dead in her dreams, Dean."
" What?" The word was spoken sharply, almost a growl as Dean looked at his father furiously. "What the hell, Dad? You showed her dreams of my body? What were you trying to do?"
"I was showing her that she was needed, that she had to see to save you, Dean." John explained calmly.
"Save me? I was dead! You had no right to bring Skye into this, Dad!" Dean pushed away from the fence and began to walk off.
John was on his heels in an instant, grabbing Dean by the shoulders and spinning him around. "You brought her into this Dean! Not me! You were the one that made the calls, the visits. You're the one that kept coming in and out of her life like a goddamn gypsy. Don't you dare try and insinuate that she's in danger here because of me!"
" I haven't seen her in over a year, Dad! I was gone from her life. I was trying to keep her safe!"
" You weren't gone, Dean. You left the Impala there. Are you're telling me you honestly weren't going back for it?" John eyed Dean carefully. He saw the argument building on Dean's lips before it died a moment later and Dean lowered his gaze to the ground shaking his head softly. "I can't let her get hurt, Dad. Skye? Connor? They've been the only things keeping me going when it got rough with me and Sam. Knowing that they weren't part of all this. That it wasn't touching them, that I wasn't going to have to worry about them getting hurt…..losing another person I know to the freaking Demon. Now I don't even have that!" Dean stormed ahead then, head down, hand thrust deeply in the pockets of his jacket.
John stopped and let his son go, watching as he swung back around to the house and disappeared inside. Dean's fears were very real, but with the way things were going, no one was going to be left untouched and Skye was safer by Dean's side, than alone.
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Skye was asleep on her bed, laptop beside her and still open on the email she'd had been writing. Dean pulled the blankets over her and made sure she was warm before he took the laptop away, glancing at the email and wondering who the hell DakotaVet was? Why was Skye asking this person about signs? Asking about Sam? Closing the computer, Dean sat it on the dressing table and left the room, switching off the light. There'd be plenty of time later to ask about the email….
He went to the kitchen and distracted himself with making a pot of coffee, hearing the back door open a moment later as John entered. Dean waited a moment, deciding whether or not he wanted to start this again, then turned around to see John patiently watching him.
" Come on, you might as well get it off your chest, Dean."
" Fine." Dean nodded, folding his arms in front of him as he leaned his back against the counter. " You sent Skye dreams to tell me where to find me. You brought her and Connor into the middle of this. Why the hell don't you send Sam a dream? Show him I'm alive? Huh? Why haven't you done that yet? What are you getting out of having him out there alone?"
" Keep your voice down, dammit!" John snapped, his wings shifted irritably on his back as he rolled his shoulders. He eyed Dean angrily for a moment, before lowering his head, the fight just sliding away. " I can't send Sam any dreams. The moment Skye released me from the circle of power that was holding me, I lost my demon powers. The dream projection was part of that. That's why I had to send the dreams to Skye. I knew she was connected to you, that she would be drawn to you. I had to take the gamble that she would listen to me and save you. It was all I had. You have no idea what it was like to be trapped there, seeing you dead, having watched that son of bitch kill you in front of Sammy. I never want to go through anything like that again, Dean."
" Yeah well, it sucked from where I was standing too." Dean admitted quietly, frowning as he gently rubbed a hand across his stomach and felt the slight ridge of scar tissue he now carried there. Turning back to the coffee pot, Dean took two clean cups from the sink and filled them, then handed one cup to his father.
" Are we okay now? You got any other beefs with me?" John asked over the rim of the cup before he took a sip.
Dean snorted, choking out a soft laugh. " I'll always have beefs with you, Dad. You did your best, but you weren't exactly father of the year, you know? And the whole selling your soul for me is still not something I'm ever getting past."
" We've been over this already. I had to, Dean…it was the only way to save you."
" Maybe. But it still hurt…" Dean fixed his father with a firm look as he drank his coffee, then put the cup in the sink. " I'm tired. I'm going to get some sleep so we can hit the road early and try and find Sam."
" We'll find him, Dean." John told his son as the boy left the kitchen. His words caused Dean to pause in the doorway and look back, the expression on his face like a knife to John's heart. He was suddenly a kid again, looking to his father for reassurance. John wanted to take Dean in his arms and hug him then, but Dean wasn't a kid. He was grown man and the time for him to believe in everything his father said, was long gone. " We'll find him." John reiterated firmly and was rewarded by Dean nodding in agreement before he walked away to his room and closed the door behind him.
Skye wasn't sure why exactly she woke up. It was just a niggling feeling. Something had changed. Something was missing. Sitting up in bed, she realised that someone had covered her up and moved the laptop. A moment later, she realised that the portable crib was empty. Scrambling out of bed, Skye rushed out into the hallway without bothering to put the light on first and found there was a light coming from the living room. Hurrying there, Skye found Dean flipping through the Home Shopping Channel idly, Connor sound asleep on his lap, cradled inside one of Dean's arms.
" What is it with you Winchesters and kidnapping my son?" Skye smiled, folding her arms as she entered the room.
Dean's head whipped up at the sound of her voice and Dean gave a shy grin, his cheeks beginning to flush red. " Hey…sorry, I couldn't sleep and I heard the little guy playing in his crib."
" I didn't hear anything.." Skye frowned. How the hell was she going to keep Connor safe if she didn't even hear him wake up?
" You were pretty beat, Skye, it's not like you dropped the ball or anything. " Dean assured her.
" Yeah, sure…" Skye muttered uncertainly, watching Dean for a moment. "You got room there for one more?"
" Sure." Dean scooted over carefully, making sure he didn't disturb Connor. Skye sat down beside him and looked over at her son, noting how peaceful he looked there. It was the sort of thing she wished she had a photo of, because her life had been sorely lacking anything like this recently. It felt so weird, having Dean back, actually having him there in the flesh and not speaking to her down a phone line, or some phantom she was chasing across the country each time there was a sighting. They say in silence for a moment, Skye sneaking glances at Dean and fighting the urge to smile at just being in his company again.
Dean sniggered suddenly and looked at Skye, noting the querying look on her face. He nodded down at the sleeping form of Connor, his eyes bright with memories. " He's snoring. Listen."
Skye could just pick up the soft, rumble of her son's breath as it drew a smile to her face. She watched Dean as he looked over her son, wondering where his mind was taking him at that moment. He looked so handsome, the lines around his face had completely softened and there was a wistful look in his eyes that brought out the green intensely. " Dean?"
" Sam used to snore like that. I remember I used to listen for it when he was little. It was one of those things I needed to hear before I could sleep. Sometimes I'd even climb right into the crib, just so I could listen to it. 'Course, when he got older, it was more like lumber saw, but I still needed to hear it sometimes before I could sleep." Dean spoke softly, so much affection in his voice that it made Skye ache.
" We're going to find him, Dean."
" Everyone keeps saying that." Dean looked at her and Skye could see the doubt and fear shadowing his eyes. " I can't kill him, Skye. I know Dad wanted me to, if he ever went evil….but I just can't do it. He's my brother." His eyes were glassy with unshed tears, his voice rough with emotion as he struggled to maintain control.
" Hey…hey, listen to me." Skye gently placed her fingers under his chin and made sure Dean looked at her. " I don't know what John was thinking, telling you to do that. But it's not happening. We're going to find Sam and you're bringing him home. Okay? That's it. No one's getting killed."
Dean stared at Skye, his eyes studying her, as if searching to see if she believed what she was saying. Skye held his gaze steadily, even as Dean suddenly leaned in, his lips brushing hers. Then Skye closed her eyes and surrendered to the softness of Dean's lips, feeling a hand slip to the back of her neck, Dean's thumb lazily stroking back and forth as their kiss deepened. It was like coming home, falling back into those lips again as if they had never been apart and Skye felt a tear run down slip from the corner of her eye to slide down her cheek.
Connor shifted suddenly, letting out small cry in his sleep and the pair leapt apart as if they'd been stung. Skye swiped the heel of her palm across her eye, wiping away the tear she had shed as she gave Dean a soft, shy smile. He grinned in return and looked down at the tiny figure that was now soundly asleep again on his lap. " I might put this little dude back to bed and get some sleep myself. We need to head out first thing in the morning."
" Yeah, sounds like a plan." Skye nodded, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice. She knew better than to push Dean. He had to come to her when he was ready, not before. For now, she'd just have to be patient. Pushing herself up from the sofa, she paused and stood waiting. " I can take him, you go on off to bed."
" You sure?"
Skye simply fixed Dean with a look that had him instantly lifting Connor up into her waiting arms. He switched the tv off with the remote and got to his feet as Skye made her way towards her room. She tucked the little boy into his crib again and turned to find Dean standing in the doorway, watching them. " You okay?"
" Yeah," Dean nodded. He was quiet again and Skye got the impression he wanted to say something to her before Dean suddenly seem to animate again, flashing her a tired smile. " Goodnight then." He padded away softly to his room and closed the door. Skye climbed into bed and laid there, thinking of the kiss and of what Dean had said. She was determined to help him find Sam and as sleep began to creep over Skye, she found it hard to shake the knot in her stomach about what lay ahead for them.
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Dean had to be dreaming. The last thing he remembered, was climbing into bed and staring at the ceiling. Now? There was no ceiling, he was in the open, walking towards a campfire he could see ahead of him. The ground was cold beneath his bare feet and Dean found himself taking careful steps in the loose sand to stop himself from standing on anything sharp. A faded red pickup truck was parked nearby, a figure wearing a navy blue hoodie was lying asleep near the fire. Dean couldn't make out the face at first, but as he got close enough to realize who it was, his eyes widening in surprise, the figure pulled a .45 out from beneath them and pointed it at Dean. " Stop right there."
"Sammy?"
Sam sat up slowly, the gun in his hand wavering slightly before he lowered it. " What do you want now, Dean? I thought I told you at the diner to leave me alone?"
" Huh? What diner? Sam what the hell talking about, man? I haven't seen you since the barn."
" Yeah…sure, whatever." Sam snorted, tucking the gun away again and indicating to Dean's side of the fire. " So you gonna sit down? I mean, if you came all this way to see me, we might as well talk."
Dean sat down Indian style, tucking his feet underneath him and smiling despite the situation. "Damn it's good to see you again, Sammy."
Sam rolled his eyes and shot his brother a filthy look. " It's Sam, Dean. Not Sammy. It hasn't been Sammy in years."
" Dude, you'll always be Sammy." Dean said honestly. He had no idea why he was dreaming of his brother like this, but right now, Dean could care less. It was just so good seeing him again. " You look like hell, man."
Sam laughed, the sound sharp and bitter on the night air. " You came all the way out here to tell me that? What are you racking up frequent flyer points now?"
" No, but Dad might be." Dean quipped, his grin fading as he saw the frown appear on Sam's face. " Never mind." He picked up a twig and began tracing patterns in the sand in front of him, his mind racing. " I'm trying to find you, bro." Dean looked back up at his brother, his face becoming pained as he shrugged lightly and gave a bitter smile. " I don't even know where the hell to start looking, but I'm trying to find you. You gotta hang in there for me."
Sam's head cocked to the side, his brow furrowing in confusion. " What do you mean, find me? I'm right here, Dean."
Dean shook his head and threw the stick into the fire. " No, not dream you, Sam. The real you. I've got Skye with me and Connor. Man, you should see him. He's so big now and just the cutest kid. He'd have you watching Wiggles in no time." He smirked at the thought. " You just need to hang on, cause I'm coming okay? I'm gonna find you." He suddenly began to feel lightheaded, as though he was being pulled away and realised he was waking up. " No, no, no…not yet. Come on! Just a little longer, dammit! " Dean pleaded to no one in particular. He didn't want to wake up. He wanted to stay here where Sam was safe, where Dean could talk to him and pretend everything was alright still.
" Dean? Dean! " Sam was on his knees now, his eyes suddenly pleading with Dean. " Dean, wait!"
" I'm sorry, Sammy…" Dean choked out before everything faded out completely and he awoke to find himself in his room. He sat up, punching the mattress with a clenched fist in frustration. Why the hell did the good dreams have to fade so fast? Dean pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes for a moment, composing himself. There was something rough scratching at his feet and with confusion settling across his face, Dean pulled back the covers to find his bare feet covered in sand. " What the hell?? "
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Hours away, Sam sat up sharply from his sleeping place beside his makeshift camp fire, his newly acquired .45 clutched in his hand. He scanned the shadows, his heart pounding in his chest and aching from the dream about Dean. He'd looked so alive. Sam shifted suddenly, noticing something in the sand on the other side of the fire. Crawling closer, Sam frowned at the sight of a gentle pattern traced in the sand before him. The same one he'd seen Dean create in his dream. " What the….Dean?" Sam sat back heavily, looking around him rapidly as he recalled his brother's words in the dream.
" You just need to hang on, cause I'm coming okay? I'm gonna find you."
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A/N 2: And so we finally get a glimpse of what the demon blood has done to Dean. Again, sorry for the long wait, guys. The next chapter will see a few familiar faces appear...and not all of them will be welcome. evil laugh
