Hi everybody who is following this story of mine. Thank you for the kind reviews and alerts. I enjoy your kind words immensely!

Comment: Did Sam trust Felicity too quickly/easily and was it believable that he would 'choose' Felicity over Dean...??

In my world once Sam had let down his guard with F. (when he trusted her with his fears) a subtle bond had started to form...you've got a young boy here who has yearned for the gentleness of a woman (=mum) in his life so F.'s warmth and compassion is very seductive.

Also I think you see the beginning of Sam's strength...an intellectual instinct to respond to situations whereas Dean often is buoyed by emotions missing things right in front of him. And trust has been more rigorously drummed out of him than Sam. Sam is without a fault loyal to Dean but in the same he recognises an advantage in being with Felicity-it's a 'grown ups' world and without Daddy W or Bobby they need an adult on their side.

Remember Sam of the first and even second season...so willing to give everything/body the benefit of the doubt. This is why they complemented each other so well...and I do think Dean instinctively realizes this hence he would at times listen to Sam whereas Daddy W. would butt heads with him.

We know that Sam is crafty...so the blackmail just seemed the way he would try to get Dean to follow after puppy dog eyes, reasoning, appealing to Dean with his fears didn't work...and of course I needed to get Dean into F.'s house for the next chapter *wink*

Dinner is a strained affair as the boys together with Felicity sit at the big oak table in the kitchen polishing off grilled steak with mashed potatoes, peas and carrots. Sam tries valiantly to keep a conversation going but Dean stoically stares down on his plate ignoring his brother's attempts.

Felicity keeps it light, no prying or forcing the conversation while answering Sam's questions, letting her gaze return repeatedly to Dean hoping that he may engage with her. It takes all her willpower not to affectionately tussle Sam's hair as he compliments her steak that is 'just right', the freshness of the veggies from her garden and the creamy taste of her potatoes. This is one special little boy and her heart aches with deep buried memories of another special child.

'Sam and Dean, I'm glad that you are enjoying your dinner' as she sees the boys plates nearly empty 'Is there still some room for dessert?' expectantly she looks at Dean who shrugs his shoulders and grunts.

'Okay, I'll take that as a yes…you too Sam?'

'Yes please, Miss Felicity' agrees Sam with a big grin 'Is there still some pie left?'

Dean briefly glances up at the word 'pie' as Sam turns to him.

'You'll love this pie, Dean…' Sam exclaims as Felicity leaves the table, opens the fridge and pulls out an apple pie with stiffly whipped cream layered on top. She grabs a few plates, a knife, spoons and napkins before placing the pie in front of Dean.

'Would you be so kind to cut yourself and Sam a slice while I'll start stacking the dishwasher?'

She doesn't wait for an answer from the surprised teen but collects the dirty plates and cutlery moving towards the far end of the kitchen to open up the dishwasher door.

Dean hesitantly takes the knife looking intently at the pie and then at Sam who is holding up his plate in expectation of a generous serve of dessert from his brother.

Dean groans softly as his favourite food beckons and he feels deep down that he is being manipulated, resentment bubbling close to the surface.

'I will not be bought that easily!' he thinks with firm resolve.

Sam's 'Come on Dean' finally startles him into action and he swiftly slices up the pie in four quarters. The sweet aroma of the pie hits Dean's nose and he sighs softly as he pushes a slice onto Sam's plate and then another onto his own.

His plan to stay aloof and reserved crumbles as he bites into the first spoonful of pie. The tartness of the Granny Smith apples mixed with the sweet whipped cream together with hints of vanilla and cinnamon causes a riot with his taste buds and he quickly shovels in the next spoonful to chase the first. Sam smiles knowingly and begins to tuck into his pie with the same happy grin as he can see mirrored on his brother's face.

'I told you so…!' he giggles poking Dean in the flank which earns him a scowl but Dean's eyes are laughing and his freckles are dancing.

Felicity keeps her back turned to the brothers the whole time, busy with tidying up but intently listening to the banter of the brothers as they start on the second serve of pie. The atmosphere in the room noticeable changes and she knows that it will be alright.

It is early evening when Felicity comes into the living room where the boys are watching TV after their showers and sits opposite the brothers.

She turns down the volume on the TV with the remote before speaking.

'Dean, Sam. We need to talk. I don't want to pry into your family business but it is obvious to me that your dad would not leave you two alone this long. I sense that Sam is worried by his absence and…' she adds as she notices Dean bristle 'I think Dean you are too.'

Felicity waits for a moment but neither boy speaks up. Dean is biting down hard on his bottom lip while Sam looks furtively to his big brother for cues.

'So, we need to look at your options. If your father is overdue and you know where he was heading we can ask the police to go and…'

'No Police, not necessary!' interrupts Dean before Felicity can finish. The alarm in Dean's eyes mixed together with the familiar mistrust of recent brooks no further discussion.

'Okay, so we could all just wait for him to show up …' now it was Sam's turn to look frightened as he sits up straight clenching his fists. Felicity analyzes the subtle clues the boys are sending and what she so far has learnt about them.

Fear of authorities, moving from town to town never staying long, the military like demeanor of the father in the parking lot, a father leaving his boys on their own, both fiercely loyal towards their father and a teenager devoted to his younger brother.

'What the hell is going on here?' she thinks but she knows they will never tell her. These boys are good at keeping secrets and although they accept Felicity's help she is aware that their life will remain a mystery to her.

'Well…you both are used to being left alone for short periods of time by your father but I assume as a responsible parent he will have left you with emergency contact numbers. I think the time has come where we phone a relative for you.'

Sam's head whips around to Dean and his hand grabs Dean's sleeve waiting for his brother's reaction to Felicity's suggestion.

Generally Dean doesn't like any of the options but he gets the distinct feeling that Felicity will not let this rest. He looks down into the eyes of his little brother and makes his decision.

'We could ring Uncle Bobby…He'll know what to do'

'No problem. Have you got his phone number on you Dean and we'll ring him right away'

'I know his number by heart. Just show me to a phone and I'll ring him myself.'

'Of course I'll let you talk to your uncle but I will need to talk to him, too. What is your Uncle's full name?'

'His name is Bobby Singer' chimes in Sam eagerly 'He owns a scrap yard in..ouff..'

Dean elbows Sam hard in the side at the blunder leaving Sam gasping for breath.

'Damn,' thinks Felicity at Dean's swift intervention 'He didn't want to disclose his Uncle's real name…my God, does that mean that maybe Murphy isn't their real name either'

Mild panic niggles at Felicity who worries that she may be giving shelter to a wanted fugitive's children. This would explain the secretive behaviour of the boys.

She quickly stands up to hide her concern but a few seconds later she turns to Dean inviting him to follow her next door into the study, her face a picture of composure.

Dean jots down the phone number and Felicity recognizes the pre fix for South Dakota just two states over.

She dials and waits with an impatient Dean at her side.

'Hallo, am I speaking to Mr. Bobby Singer?'

'Yeah, who wants to know' is the gruff answer. Felicity takes a deep breath.

'Good evening Mr. Singer. My name is Felicity Grey and I'm ringing on behalf of Sam and Dean Murphy…' that was as far as she gets as an anxious voice interrupts her.

'Are the boys alright? Where is John?'

'The boys are fine but it appears their father has not returned from a recent job and Dean and Sam are worried. Look, Dean is here and wants to talk to you.' With that she hands the receiver to Dean who takes it from her but waits for Felicity to leave the room.

'Hi Uncle Bobby'

'How long has he been gone, boy?'

'Five days. He said he'd be back for the weekend' Dean's voice starts to shake with worry. 'Something is wrong. I can feel it, so can Sam'

'Okay, give me the details where you are, where your Dad went, what he was hunting and so forth. I'll go and check it out. Don't worry. Your dad is a tough bugger. He's fine. Maybe the job is taking longer than he estimated.'

'Thanks, Bobby' Dean feels like a heavy weight is being lifted from him. Bobby will find their dad and they will be a family again.

Dean returns to the living room to find Sam curled up on the sofa next to Felicity fast asleep, his head is resting in her lap and Felicity's hand is resting gently on his brother's shoulder.

Dean fights the urge to lift Sam off her lap but the look he throws Felicity speaks volumes.

'What did you discuss with your Uncle' Felicity enquires in a hushed voice.

'He's going to look for our Dad and ring us as soon as he finds him'

Felicity accepts that this is the most she will get from Dean.

'Good. Dean, can you help me and carry Sam to his bed for me? I made up two beds in the den down at the end of the corridor'

Tenderly Dean scoops up Sammy who senses his brother and wraps his arms tightly around Dean's neck, burying his face in his brother's shoulder.

Felicity watches with moist eyes as Dean plants a quick kiss on his brother's head. He starts to walk towards the door when he suddenly stops and turns back to Felicity holding his brother close to his chest.

'Thank you for taking care of Sammy…' He hesitates as if there is more he wants to say but then briefly nods pressing down on his lips tightly before carrying his brother out of the room.

'That John 'whatever his name is' Murphy is one lucky man to call these boys his.' She concludes as a single tear runs down her cheek and Felicity shudders with emotion as she realises that she is in danger of falling hopelessly in love with the brothers.