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Rumsfeld was barking when they finally pulled onto Bobby's property. All three climbed wearily out of the car and walked toward the house. Sam and Bobby relied on the light from the moon to avoid obstacles and find the door to the house. Dean's enhanced vision allowed him to see every detail of his surroundings; he walked up to Rumsfeld to greet the dog but stopped when Rumsfeld started growling and lowering himself into a fighting crouch.
"Rumsfeld, what's gotten into you?" Bobby called to his dog, "its Dean," he continued. Dean lowered his eyebrows and knelt down in front of the dog.
"Hey buddy, I bet I smell funny to you, huh?" Dean said in a soft voice, trying to ease the dog's nerves. The moonlight hit Dean's eyes and they started shining as they reflected the light. He continued to hold Rumsfeld's gaze as he communicated silently with the animal.
Sam and Bobby watched in interest as Dean stared at the dog. The shine from his eyes giving the scene an eerie vibe. The continued to watch as Rumsfeld relaxed and rolled onto his back so Dean could scratch his belly. Bobby shook his head and entered the house with a laugh while Sam still stood, transfixed by the sight of his brother and the Rottweiler.
"It's not polite to stare," Dean called to his brother without turning away from the dog.
"Sorry," Sam apologized softly before heading into the house after Bobby.
"Do you think he'll sleep outside again?" Sam asked Bobby as they sat at the kitchen table.
"Son, that's a question you'd have to ask your brother, as for me, I'm going to hit the sack. A night's sleep in a real bed will do me a world of good," and with that Bobby disappeared into his room.
Sam sat at the table for a couple hours, reading one of Bobby's old books. When he looked at the clock, he saw that it was after midnight. Standing and stretching he made his way to the front door to check on Dean. He pushed the door open and poked his head out into the silky blackness. It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust, and when they did he could see Rumsfeld curled up on the hood of Bobby's tow truck. On the ground near the front of the truck he saw his brother's wolf sprawled out.
"Sleep well, Dean," Sam said quietly into the night.
You too Sammy, he heard in his head as he shut the door.
"Do we know his current location?" Caleb asked the assembled hunters. There was silence as the hunters looked around the room, waiting for anyone to offer information.
"Last I heard he was at Singer's place," a grizzled hunter called from the corner of the room. Caleb took a depth breath, resigning himself to what they were about to do.
"Alright, we head to Singer's at dawn. We have to get Sam Winchester and question him," Caleb said finally. The assembled hunters filtered out of the basement leaving Caleb standing by himself. "I hope to God we aren't making a mistake," he said quietly to himself.
Dean stretched and opened his jaws wide, yawning. He shook himself and trotted toward the door to the house, when he reached the door he shape began to change and he returned to his human form. For a moment Dean felt off balance, as if his form wasn't quite right. He brushed the feeling aside and pulled the door open. Seeing that he was the first to wake he set about making breakfast. He heard footsteps coming down the stairs a short while later and Sam entered the kitchen, awakened by the smell of bacon.
"Morning," Dean greeted his brother. Sam squinted at Dean for a moment before responding.
"You're awfully cheery this morning," Sam grumbled. Dean smirked and teased his brother.
"Wake up on the wrong side of the bed, Sammy?" Sam just shook his head and flopped into a chair at the table. Bobby entered the kitchen a few minutes later, also drawn by the smell of food. Dean finished making the food and glanced at his friends.
"This isn't a diner, you dish up your own food," he said when they looked at him expectantly. Sam and Bobby each grabbed a plate and heaped it with food.
After they had all finished eating they sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
"What if other hunters find out?" Sam's voice broke the silence.
"I'll have to disappear," Dean replied stoically. Sam turned his head slowly to look at his brother, his eyes wide.
"No," he said, "That's not an option."
"Sam—," Dean started, but was interrupted by his brother.
"Dean, no, we'll find another way. They won't find out."
"Boys," Bobby said sternly, "This isn't helping." Dean stared hard at his brother who was pointedly not meeting his gaze. "Sam," Bobby started, "Dean's right." Sam opened his mouth to argue but Bobby continued before he could speak. "If anybody finds out, they will hunt him. He has to disappear if that happens." Sam stood quickly, almost knocking over his chair, and stormed out of the house. Dean pushed himself away from the table, but Bobby stopped him. "Give him time, he knows it's the right course of action, he just needs to accept it in his soul." Dean sank back into his chair.
"That's deep Bobby maybe you should be a therapist."
"Can it, you idgit," Bobby said, the tense mood lifting from the room. Dean and Bobby were still in the kitchen when suddenly Dean froze. Bobby looked up from his book, noticing the change in Dean's demeanor. Dean's breathing was short and light as he rose from his chair to stand on the balls of his feet.
"Dean?" Bobby said questioningly.
"Sam," was all Dean said before he bolted out of the house, leaving Bobby behind, dumbfounded.
"Just come with us, Sam. We only want to ask you some questions," Caleb said, trying to convince his friend not to fight. Sam's eyes darted to the hunters around him in a semicircle.
"I think I'd rather not, thanks," he said as he started to back up. One of the hunters pulled a gun from inside his jacket, and aimed it at Sam, who stopped. Then the man lowered his arm and fired at Sam's leg, but before the bullet hit a dark figure streaked in front of Sam. Dean fell to the ground, blood pouring from a gunshot wound to his chest. For a second, nobody makes a sound, then Sam yells his brother's name and rushes so his side.
"We didn't mean for this to happen," Caleb said quickly. The hunter who fired the shot tried to defend himself.
"I was just trying to wound him, so he couldn't get away," he said thickly. Sam rolled to his feet and stood up, backing away from his brother. The hunters were astounded when Dean pushed himself to his feet.
"Run," Dean ordered his brother.
"I'm not leaving you," Sam retorted. Dean moved between Sam and the other hunters and pushed him towards Bobby's house and the impala. He threw Sam the keys to his baby and lunged at the people who tried to hurt his brother. Dean threw punches left and right, some of the hits knocking his opponents out instantly. When he heard Sam start the impala's engine he darted to the side and sprinted to join his brother. Dean jerked the door open, startling Sam.
"Drive," he said darkly.
Sky finally reached his destination, and as he passed the city limits an escort emerged from the trees. He let them lead him to the meeting place. They arrived at a house a few minutes later and the two men moved to stand guard at the front door, motioning him inside. Sky pushed the door open and entered the house.
"Welcome," a soft, male voice called from the next room, "I am told you have important news that our Alpha should hear."
"Yes, sir," Sky replied respectfully.
"You will tell me your information, and I will decide if it is worthy of passing on," the man said, leaving no room for argument. Sky began to tell his story, starting from when his family captured Sam. When Sky finished his narrative, the other man stared intently into his eyes.
"You speak truthfully," he said after a few moments, "I will take you to the Alpha and you will tell him everything you just told me." Sky nodded in understanding.
Author's note: Thanks to all who reviewed so far, I enjoy reading feedback.
