Disclaimer: Supernatural and all its characters belong to Kripke and the CW. I own nothing.
AN- Sammygirl1963 and 1Pagan3, I finally managed to write in that part y'all wanted to see. Thanks for the idea and for patiently waiting for me to write it. I hope it lives up to your expectations! Oh, and you'll definitely see lots more of your request in this story. This is just the beginning.
Previously on Supernatural- Recalling a sure fire remedy John had told her years ago she decided it couldn't hurt to try it. So she opened her mouth and softly began to sing; "Hey Jude, don't make it bad."
SPN
Dean staggered backwards falling into a chair as long forgotten memories of a brightly colored room and a soft voice flashed through his mind. Visions of his mother's long, blond hair and beautiful face filled him as he recalled being curled in her lap listening to her lilting voice. The squeak of the rocker, the smell of his mother's perfume, and the gentle touch of her embrace ghosted through the room. He closed his eyes letting the feeling of being safe in his mother's arms flow through him.
A hand on his shoulder startled Dean out of his thoughts. He had been so caught up in reminiscing that he hadn't heard the screen door slam or the thud of footsteps coming closer. He glanced up smiling sheepishly at Bobby.
"You alright, Dean?" Bobby quietly asked taking in the trembling and the younger man's pale complexion.
"Yeah, I uhh, I just need a, a minute." Dean stammered. He ran a hand through his short cropped hair as he attempted to regain control of his emotions. Closing his eyes he took a few deep breaths before locking away the memories and pasting on his game face once more. Satisfied that he finally had himself under control Dean opened his eyes grinning as he caught sight of the object in the junk yard owner's arms. Raising an eyebrow at the older man he pointed to the puppy in the man's arms and asked, "And just what are you planning on doing with that?"
"Thought Sammy might like to play with the pups while we finished supper." Bobby replied.
"Uh huh, and you brought it in the house because?" Dean prodded.
"Well, I umm, I thought the kid, uhh" Bobby stuttered turning red. "Crap! I just wanted to make sure the little guy was alright. I don't like hearing him cry, okay?"
"And you said I was gonna spoil him" Dean teased. He stood and patted the surrogate father on the back. "Well, what are you waiting for, old man. Let's go cheer up that grandson of yours."
Hands full Bobby had to settle for glaring at the younger man. "Old man my ass" he grumbled as he walked to the living room doorway and stopped. Kneeling down he whispered, "Go get him." before turning the puppy loose. He watched as the small dog made a beeline for the rocking chair and its occupants. Seconds later Ellen's surprised squawk was quickly drowned out by Sammy's excited shout of "Puppy!" Walking into the room with Dean Bobby called out, "Muffie? Here Muffie!"
"Daddy! Papa! Woot! A doggie!" Sammy hollered jumping off Ellen's lap. Plopping down on his behind the toddler giggled as the chocolate lab pup began licking every inch of his face.
"Looks like you made a new friend, sport." Bobby said smiling down at the pair of pups. "What do you say we take Muffin here back outside and teach her to fetch? Would you like that Sammy?"
"Yea!" Sammy hollered. He ran over to Bobby and Dean with the puppy right on his heels. Grabbing the older man's hand he yanked on it. "Mon, Papa! We pay!"
Bobby followed Sammy and Muffin out the doorway leaving Dean and Ellen alone in the now quiet room. Climbing out of the rocker Ellen sighed. "I had everything under control, you know. You two didn't have to do that."
"I know" Dean replied. "And I was gonna let you handle it. Bobby's the one that brought the dog inside. He's never been able to deal with a crying Sammy."
"Sounds like the old softie" Ellen muttered as she walked past Dean on the way to the back door.
"Wait a minute, Ellen. There's something I need to know." Dean said grabbing one of her arms. He let her hand go once she stopped and turned to look curiously at him. "Why did you s-sing Hey Jude to Sammy?"
"I got that from your daddy a long time ago." Ellen replied smiling at the memory. "He was at my place working on a hunt with Bill. Jo was really sick, so sick and miserable that she spent most of her time awake crying. I'd tried everything I knew to sooth her but nothing was working. John walked into the room after a while and I thought he was gonna yell at me to shut her up or something. But he just stared at me with the saddest eyes I'd ever seen and told me to sing Hey Jude while I rocked her. He said his wife would sing it to you and Sammy when you were sick or hurt and it always…Oh God! I'm sorry, Dean! I didn't think…"
"It's okay Ellen." Dean quietly broke in. "Really, it was kinda nice to hear it again."
"You sure, Dean?" Ellen asked.
"Yeah" Dean sighed. Throwing an arm around the bar owner's shoulder he forced himself to smile. "Come on. We need to get out there before Sammy convinces Bobby and Josh to let the puppies sleep in bed with him."
SPN
Shirley stormed into her tiny apartment slamming the door. Snatching the high heels off her feet she threw them across the room smiling as they bounced off the wall leaving twin dents in the plaster. Dropping onto the ratty purple couch the old woman grabbed her little black book off the TV stand beside the sofa and started flipping through the pages. "How dare that Edith think she can take my man!" she fumed as she searched through the book. "Josh is mine! No one else's! I'm not about to let Ethel or anybody else stand in the way of our happiness!" Spotting the name she was looking for Shirley whipped out her phone and swiftly punched in the number. "I'll take care of her. After I get through Josh won't want Evelyn anywhere near him…Wade, hey its Shirley. Look I've got a job for you."
SPN
Once supper was finished and the leftovers put away Ellen, Bobby, and Josh grabbed a beer and settled into lawn chairs watching as the Winchester boys kicked a ball back and forth. Laughing as one of the puppies stole the ball and took off running the threesome sat back enjoying the show and the peaceful atmosphere of the evening.
Draining the last of her beer Ellen set the empty bottle on the ground beside her. "I don't think I've ever seen Dean or Sam this happy before." She commented smiling as Dean chased a squealing Sammy across the yard.
"Yeah, the boys haven't been this carefree since they were really little. And even then it didn't last long; Dean knew too much for that." Joshua grumbled before taking a swig of beer. "You know this shrinking Sammy thing may be a real pain in the ass to deal with but I think it's something the boys have needed for a long time now. I just wish Sam was able to enjoy it."
"What do you mean, Josh?" Bobby asked glancing at his friend. "Sammy looks like he's having a great time to me."
"I'm not talking about Sammy, you old coot. I mean Sam." Josh clarified. "Think about it. When we finally figure this mess out and Sammy turns back into Sam, Dean's going to be relaxed from all this. And he'll have a boatload of good memories to look back on when the going gets tough again. But Sam's going to come back wound up tighter than a spring like always. I just think Sam should have some carefree time too."
"I hadn't thought about that." Bobby confessed. "Guess it'll be up to us to make sure he gets that time."
"And speaking of time" Ellen broke in. "It's getting late. I think we need to take this party inside."
"Yeah" Josh reluctantly agreed. Sighing he slowly stood. "Why don't you take Sammy and head on inside? Bobby and I'll herd the pups back in the shed and Dean can take care of putting the mini impala on the porch."
"Sounds good" Ellen said. She stood and walked across the yard to Dean and Sammy who were engaged in a tug of war battle with Stitch. "Dean, it's time to go in. It's getting dark."
"Alright" Dean reluctantly replied. Scooping up Sammy he tossed the toddler in the air a couple of times before handing him to Ellen. "Will you take him in the house for me? I need to help Bobby and Josh clean up."
"Sure thing Dean" Ellen answered. "Sammy and I will go watch TV until you get through. Right Sammy?"
"Yea! Toons!" Sammy shouted clapping his hands.
Leaving the men to take care of the clean up Ellen carried Sammy inside. When she walked into the living room, she turned the television to a cartoon channel and sat Sammy on the floor. "Sammy, I need to go in the kitchen and wash the dishes. Can you stay here and be a good boy while grandma does that?"
"Uh huh" Sammy replied as he crawled over to his giant stuffed Scooby Doo. "Me be good."
Ellen patted the toddler's head before going into the kitchen. She quickly filled the sink with soapy water and started washing keeping her ears open for any sign of trouble.
Dean tiredly walked into the house a little while later. Going to the sink he washed his hands before snagging a beer out of the fridge. Shuffling into the living room he smiled at the sight of his little brother sleeping peacefully atop his stuffed animal. "Looks like its past someone's bedtime." He whispered as he set down his beer and made his way to Sammy's side. He gently picked the sleeping boy up and cradled him to his chest. Turning he gave Ellen a tired smile and then headed to the stairs. Sammy wasn't the only one who was ready for bed.
SPN
The next morning Dean awoke to the sound of his little brother's voice. Blinking open his eyes he gazed around the room searching for the boy. He chuckled when he spotted Sammy sitting on the floor attempting to dress his stuffed Eeyore in a shirt and pull up. Tossing the blankets off Dean slowly sat up and stretched. Wiping the sleep out of his eyes he stood and walked over to their bags. He pulled out clothes for both of them and then made his way over to his brother. "I don't think that's gonna work, Sammy." Dean said as he knelt down beside the toddler. "Donkeys don't like to wear clothes."
"Want 'Or to woot wite me." Sammy stated. "See?"
"I see munchkin." Dean replied taking the stuffed toy from his brother. Setting it on the bed he stood holding out his hand for the toddler. "Bath time Sammy." He announced as he led the little boy across the room and out the door. Walking them into the bathroom Dean deposited the clothes on the toilet seat. He'd give Sammy his bath first and then get his shower when his brother was eating breakfast. He turned on the taps before setting out a wash cloth and towel. Bending down the father swiftly undressed the giggling two year old and sat him in the tub. Picking up the wash cloth and soap Dean set about bathing his little brother.
"I'm gonna go see if Dean needs any help!" Ellen hollered from the bottom of the staircase. She hurried up the steps ignoring Bobby's calls for her to wait. Making it to the top she had just started down the hall when she saw a wet and naked Sammy run out of a room halfway down. At Dean's shouted, "Get back here Sammy!" the toddler squealed and took off down the hall heading straight for her. Opening her arms she easily caught the toddler as he launched himself at her. Laughing as a soaking wet Dean stomped out of the bathroom Ellen shook her head and walked down the hall to meet him. "Lose someone?" she teased handing the squirming boy to his brother.
"Thanks Ellen" Dean said giving the bar owner an embarrassed smirk. He walked back into the bathroom and started toweling his little brother. "You know Sam would have a fit if he knew you'd seen him in his birthday suit."
"Dean Winchester, you are not going to tease your brother about this." Ellen warned.
"Ellen, I'm shocked that you'd think that about me." Dean gasped grinning at her raised eyebrow and knowing look. "Yeah, okay so maybe I would."
"Dean"
"Aww come on Ellen! A guy's gotta have a little fun between hunts." Dean whined. "And nothing's more fun than winding Sam up. Wait scratch that. I can think of a couple of things way more fun than that, if you know what I mean."
"Dean!"
"What?" Dean innocently asked before bursting out laughing. "Man, Ellen you're as bad as Sam!"
Fighting to keep the smile off her face Ellen glared at the young man for a moment before swatting him on the arm. "You are incorrigible!" she huffed grinning. "Sammy and I don't need to hear this." She held out her hands expectantly.
Rolling his eyes Dean handed over the toddler. "Sammy, go with grandma for a while, okay? Daddy's gonna get a shower." He explained before kissing the baby's forehead. "Thanks Ellen" he called as the bar owner backed out of the room.
SPN
A little while later Dean entered the kitchen taking the empty seat beside his brother. Uncovering the plate that was sitting at his place he stared down at the plateful of bacon, eggs, sausage, and pancakes in awe. Grabbing his fork he eagerly dug into his meal.
Bobby pushed his chair back from the table and picked up his plate and silverware. Standing he carried the dishes to the sink and dropped them in. Turning he leaned against the counter. "I think we need to get started on the research." He suggested. "The sooner we find Lilith and take care of her, the sooner we'll get Sam back."
"Sounds good." Dean replied spraying the table with bits of egg. Seeing Bobby's disapproving look he finished chewing and swallowed his mouthful of food before speaking again. "You got anything that might help?"
"Course I do boy" Bobby huffed. "Got it all laid out on the desk for you."
"Don't you mean us?" Josh corrected.
"Nope. I'll be watching Sammy." Bobby informed them.
"Wait, why do you get to watch Sammy?" Dean questioned. "Why not me or Ellen or even Josh?"
"I'd love to take care of the little guy but I need to go into town and get some groceries." Ellen said. "There's not much in the refrigerator that's good for a little one."
"And I have a car to finish." Bobby added. "I promised the guy I'd have his car ready to go by noon today and its gonna take me that long to get it done. Sammy can take his toys and play in the dirt while I work."
"Guess we don't have a choice." Josh grumpily stated. Dropping his napkin onto his empty plate he pushed back from the table. "I'll go get started while you finish eating. Just do me a favor and hurry up. You know how much I hate looking crap up on the internet."
"You got it, Josh" Dean agreed. He shoved the last sausage link in his mouth.
Shaking his head at the young man Bobby went over to the table and picked up Sammy. Settling the toddler on his hip the salvage yard owner headed to the living room to get the toys. He had work to do.
SPN
Bobby glanced over at the toddler who was happily filling his dump truck with sand. Satisfied that the child was safe he focused back on the job at hand. He was almost finished with the repairs to the Civic. He just had a little more to do and then the car would be good to go and just in time. It was already after eleven. Picking up his wrench he started to tighten a loose bolt when Sammy's cry of "Papa!" stopped him. Looking up the old hunter saw the toddler running toward him with something clutched in his tiny hand. Seeing the boy's shoelaces untied he opened his mouth to warn him but he was too late. One of the laces got caught under the boy's shoes sending Sammy crashing to the ground. The two year old sat stunned for a couple of seconds before scrunching up his face and wailing. Racing over Bobby knelt down in front of the littlest Winchester. After finding nothing more than a skinned knee, he scooped Sammy into his arms. Not wanting to disturb Dean and Josh's work for something he could easily handle Bobby carried the toddler into his workshop. Setting the youngster on the bench by the sink he quickly washed the dirt and grease off his hands. Grabbing a clean rag the surrogate grandfather rolled up the little boy's torn pants leg and gently cleaned the dirt and gravel out of the wound. Once that was done he slathered Neosporin on the scrape and covered it with a couple of band-aids. Picking the toddler up he started slowly rocking back and forth. "Shh Sammy, you're okay" he whispered. "Papa's got ya." He walked around the workshop rocking the baby and whispering reassurances. Smiling as Sammy's crying lessened he went over to the bench and took a seat. Feeling the toddler's hands playing with his hair he kissed the top of the baby's head. Glancing down he wasn't surprised to see Sammy struggling to keep his eyes open. Knowing the little boy wouldn't last much longer Bobby stood and headed to the house.
"Bobby, what are you…?" Ellen stopped as she caught sight of the sleeping baby. "He okay?" she whispered.
"Yeah" Bobby softly replied as he walked through the living room. He carried Sammy down the hall and into his room carefully laying the toddler on the bed. Grabbing the little boy's blanket off the chair he tossed it over the baby before turning on the baby monitor and tiptoeing out of the room. He went back to the kitchen surprised to see Dean and Josh waiting for him at the table. Dropping into a chair he asked, "You two find anything?"
"Not yet" Dean told him snatching a sandwich off the tray Ellen set on the table. "Sammy alright?"
"Sammy's fine, Dean" Bobby assured the younger man. "He just fell and skinned his knee, that's all. Nothing I couldn't handle."
"You get the car finished?" Josh asked taking a bite of his ham sandwich.
"Almost, I'll grab a bite to eat and then finish." Bobby replied. "Why?"
"Cause you're gonna have to take my part of the researching this afternoon. I promised Isaac I'd go to the children's ward at the hospital."
"You still doing that clown bit?" Dean questioned snagging another BLT.
"Oh yeah! That's the best part of my week!" Josh admitted. "I think I have more fun than the kids do. You ought to try it."
"Naw, dealing with one little kid is more than enough for me." Dean said. "That job is all yours man."
Glancing at the clock Josh shoved the last of his sandwich into his mouth and quickly stood. "I gotta go get ready. See you later." He mumbled through his mouthful.
SPN
Wade watched as the pick-up truck drove out of the dirt driveway and headed down the street. "One down, two more to go." He muttered. Picking up his cell he hit speed dial smiling as it was answered before the first ring ended. "It's show time!" he announced.
SPN
Groaning Bobby stood and stomped over to the phone. They were never going to find anything at this rate. Snatching up the receiver he gruffly answered, "Singer Salvage". He impatiently listened while the caller explained their problem. Shaking his head he assured the man he was on his way before hanging up the phone. "Ellen!" he called as he walked into the living room where the bar owner was sitting on the floor playing with Sammy. "I've gotta go tow a car. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Take your time Bobby. Sammy and I can hold down the fort while you're gone." Ellen assured the hunter.
"Okay" Bobby hesitantly agreed. He knelt down in front of the littlest Winchester and pulled him in for a hug. "Sammy, papa's gotta leave for a while. I want you to take care of grandma for me while I'm gone, okay champ?"
"Otay, me tate tawe of ganma." Sammy stated planting a kiss on Bobby's cheek. "Bye Papa"
"Bye buddy" Bobby said. He kissed the toddler's forehead before standing and going to the door. After one last glance at the happy little boy, the salvage owner turned and walked out the door.
SPN
Dean pulled into the driveway and cut the engine frowning at the empty spot where Bobby's tow truck usually sat. Grabbing the bag of herbs Bobby had asked him to get he climbed out of the impala and headed for the house. Unnerved by the quiet surrounding him the young hunter hurried up the steps freezing as he saw the door standing wide open. Dropping the bag Dean rushed into the house and over to Ellen who was sprawled unconscious on the floor. Reaching out he grasped her wrist letting out a relieved breathe at the strong pulse he felt. Swallowing back the lump in his throat Dean pulled his gun and silently crept down the hallway. He went room to room searching for any signs of an intruder or more importantly his little brother. Coming up empty handed he hurried back in the living room to check on Ellen. He needed answers and he needed them now. Hearing the distinctive rumble of Bobby's tow truck he changed direction running out the door and across the porch. He jumped down the stairs as the truck skidded to a stop beside him. Snatching the door handle he yanked the door open. "Bobby, where's Sammy?" Dean hollered eyes widening as he took in Bobby's confused expression and the empty passenger seat. Sammy was gone!
