Hey guys! Happy Supernatural day! We've made it past another hellatus! Go us! I was really looking forward to stopping up and watching it live but it seems there is no one that knows any live streaming sites for this evening, kinda gutted I must say, I keep telling my parents we should move to America but they still won't listen! GR!

Badass Beta/Awesome Editor- Samanatha V

Stiff Upper Lip

Just as he started to nod off, Dean heard rustling and could feel his blanket bit by bit getting dragged off the side of his bed. Not again.

He sighed and rolled over to face the one tugging on his covers, never before did he think eyes could pout but this guy just completely turned him around on the subject.

"Dude, your bed's down there."

Angus didn't quit, in fact he seemed to pout all the more and upped his game to include a soft whine and pawing at his bed.

"Is this 'cause you're hurt or 'cause you don't like sleeping on the floor?"

When they got home, Mary had collected every spare quilt in the house and piled them up on the floor in the corner of Dean's room stating they could go get him a real doggy bed and toys tomorrow.

But Dean had to admit, Angus' improvised bed looked pretty damn comfy, hell he wouldn't mind sleeping down there compared to some of the grotty motel beds he was once forced to lay in. But Angus didn't seem to like it that much, every time Dean began to doze after carrying him back to the corner, the little guy got straight back up and hobbled over refusing to be separated from his new friend and pack leader.

"Bed, now." Angus cocked his head at Dean's unconvincing growl and Dean huffed in frustration, "Yours is over there, Mary will kill me if you pee in my bed, and I won't be too happy about it either."

Angus barked softly in reply then scratched at Dean's covers again.

"Shh, you're gonna wake Sammy."

He sighed when he heard Sam laugh, okay the kid was never asleep. Sam had also gotten a bed on the floor much like Angus after begging Dean for a camp out in his room. He said it was to celebrate him coming home but a part of Dean couldn't help but think Sam was just trying to keep closer tabs on him now.

"Fine," Dean groaned pulling back his covers and lifting the pup onto his bed. "No doing your business on my quilt, got it?" Right now he was supremely thankful that John had insisted the dog have a thorough bath in Steve's bathroom before he would let him in his car.

Angus made a sound that seemed to say 'yeah, I got it.' Before he curled up at the bottom of Dean's bed and set his head down. He was asleep in minutes.

"Unbelievable." Dean had spent half the night worried out of his skull for the little guy thinking he was scared or hurting worse than they thought when he kept wriggling and whimpering on the floor. Looks like he just wanted to thieve half of Dean's bed, typical!

"Night Dean," Sam whispered from the opposite side of his bed.

"Night Sammy."

"Night Angus," Sam turned over once more and he too was asleep quicker than Dean could comprehend.

"You two are so gonna gang up on me aren't you?" he asked to no one in particular before he laid his head down on the cool part of his pillow and closed his eyes, praying for the nightmares to stay away, just for tonight. It was a good day despite Angus' attack and the awkward shit before.

He had come home. He felt like he knew it was his home, even though yeah, Steve was a cop, he had a nice gun, he hadn't felt safer with him than he did right here.

Not to mention, he had more of his prized weapons here, the ones he would need for his new project in a few weeks. He would have to stow the research for this weekend though, the Winchester's wouldn't be letting him out of their sight until they were sure he wouldn't pull a Houdini again anytime soon.

Either way, it was damn good to be back...

SPN

Sam woke to the soft sounds of snoring and he sat up quickly when he realized that it was two very distinct sounds that he was hearing. It took everything in him not to laugh loud and hard. Dean was sprawled in the middle of the bed with Angus' head on his shoulder, curled protectively around him despite his injuries. Each was lost deep in sleep with Angus snuffling and twitching as though dreaming while Dean snored softly beside him. They were gonna be okay then, Angus and Dean. They looked pretty damn peaceful right now, but Sam would give anything for a camera at this moment. If he told Dean, he would never believe he slept like a baby with a twenty pound pup guarding him.

Tiptoeing quietly so that he wouldn't wake them he slipped out to the kitchen for breakfast; maybe his mom would cook something special for them. He was pretty sure Dean would rather hurl than munch on another bowl of his usual Lucky Charms today, and for a very long time onwards.

"Hey sweetie, pancakes?" she asked as soon as he stepped foot through the kitchen door. Sam smiled and nodded. "Dean still asleep?"

"Like a log, do we have a camera?" Sam asked taking a seat at the table.

"Don't be mean," she joked turning over the pancake in her pan.

"I like Angus," he commented randomly, it wasn't very subtle but... he wanted to know if his mom did too, and that yesterday she wasn't just saying it to get Dean home.

"Me too. Your dad's in the garage looking for things we can give him, if you wanna go help? Breakfast should be ready in about five minutes."

Sam nodded, his smile brightening all the more, yup, his mom loved Angus. Hopping off his chair he moved to the garage where he found his dad crouched over, sorting through a few boxes.

"Dad?" Sam walked over to peer at the odd assortment of items. "Find anything?"

"Not much," his dad looked up holding a chipped dish, "a bowl we can use for water and... a few old balls he could play with but nothing fantastic. We'll go out and get some stuff when we're done at the vets."

"Vets? I thought he was okay." Sam's face fell and he could feel a cold wash down his spine. He couldn't take it, Dean couldn't take it if something serious was wrong with Angus.

"Seems to be, he was shuffling around enough yesterday. But he's been through a lot and he's got to be checked out, make sure his shots are up to date and stuff." Carrying his prizes John straightened up and dusted himself off, giving his son a reassuring smile.

Sam gave what he hoped was a positive response but his mind was whirling. He knew it was for Angus' own good, but only one thing was running through Sam's head, Angus had to be okay, Dean would be truly shattered if he wasn't!

SPN

"Come on boys, we gotta go," John called waiting at the door.

Dean was still scrambling around with Angus gamely hobbling behind copying his every step as he searched his room, tossing bed covers off, looking under his bed, under his desk, everywhere and still coming up empty.

"Dean it's time to go sweetheart," Mary was at his door with one of those smiles that killed him; so normal it hurt.

"Um... have you seen my jacket?"

"Black one?"

Dean nodded, hope building in his chest.

"I'm sorry sweetie I tossed it out, it was kinda ruined when you were carrying Angus." He knew it had a few rips in it thanks to the pups claws but he didn't think it was that bad.

"Oh."

"Oh? What's up? I can probably-"

"No it's okay I just... it's fine, I'll wear my other one." Except I don't have another one.

She sighed and frowned at the expression on his face when he made no move to pick up another jacket from his closet. Walking over she opened it herself and her heart sunk when she saw nothing but shirts and jeans, and they were few and far between. Dean didn't have another jacket, of course he didn't, he barely let them buy the one he had, never mind a spare. He always pushed away so hard when they tried to buy him things, but that was no excuse as to why she let Dean's closet get this bare and not even notice. How could she?

"How about we go shopping in a few days, get you another one..." and several other clothing items too if I have anything to say about it, "When Angus is settled in?" Okay, and you too.

Dean nodded, except he didn't want another, he wanted the one she threw out. He liked that jacket, he didn't know why, wasn't anything special, just a black jacket with pockets. But he didn't have any regrets for letting Angus use it when he was in need, not one.

Before Dean knew it, he was out the door with the rest of them, carrying Angus who was thoroughly distracted to the goings on and constantly sniffing Dean's new jacket, well, John's old one. It must not fit anymore or something because Dean had never seen it until today. It was well worn, thick brown leather and to say it was big on him would be a bit of an understatement. He'd had a growth spurt and it at least fitted his broad shoulders somewhat, but otherwise it would be a bit before he could fill it out. When he looked at the creased sleeves and loose bits of thread in places, he knew the jacket had seen some action in its time. He liked it though, it felt right, it reminded him of the one his dad used to have, only this one didn't smell like gun powder, yet, he added consciously at the end.

SPN

"I know, I don't like it here either," Dean whispered, stroking and trying to calm Angus as they waited for him to be called up. It was creepy as hell here, worse than a human hospital. Looking around the waiting room he could see a few other dogs and someone carrying a box that moved – he didn't want to know what was in there.

Angus hadn't thrown the fit Dean expected when Sam told him where they were going today before the pet shop, but the little dude didn't look impressed either. Angus looked hurt. Betrayed? Almost. Scared? Definitely.

It was the trembling that got him though. He could feel, and see, the non-stop minute shivers which were racking Angus from nose to tail. When the trembling became accompanied by soft whining and panting, he wanted to head for the hills. He tried to kid himself that the shaking was because the room was so cold and Dean kicked himself mentally for not bringing the salt. But then he figured it was just the air conditioning, not a ghost of a killer veterinarian.

He couldn't wait to get back to the car where Sam and Mary were waiting.

"Angus Winchester?" an old guy with a clip board asked. Dean couldn't help but smile at the name. Had John given that to him? If so, all of Dean's scepticisms over whether or not they would let Angus stick around longer than a week were gone.

John stood up first, and Dean was glad he did, he wasn't sure he would move on his own if he hadn't led the way first. He really, really hated this place.

"They won't take him away will they?" Dean asked picking a too quiet Angus up and following John and the old guy who he presumed was the vet.

"No, they won't Dean, promise kid."

At least someone's optimistic huh? He looked at Angus in his deep brown eyes and something told him the little guy was thinking the exact same thing.

When they got to the small and, if possible, even creepier room, Angus was too freaked out to put up a fight. As much as it hurt to watch, it was probably a good thing. He only snapped once when the vet went to check his teeth, they didn't look too healthy so he didn't blame the little guy.

The vet gave Angus a thorough once over, and was more empathetic than Dean or John could have guessed. They didn't even have to tell him they found Angus at the park, he just seemed to know he was a stray and applauded them even.

"Most people just walk past a beaten up cat or dog and don't bat an eyelid." He was looking at John when he said that rather vague compliment.

"Not me doc, it was my son that found him."

"Well, it's nice to see some people still care about animals. Especially a young man like yourself."

Dean blushed, went back to concentrating all his thoughts on Angus because he wasn't the smoothest of people to accept a compliment, his usual routine was turn red, then pretend like it never happened.

"It's a shame, all these poor homeless animals getting attacked around lately. Just yesterday I found a cat dead on the side of the road, beaten like Angus here."

Dean ground his jaw and forced himself to calm down when he noticed Angus get even more tense under his hand, if that was even possible.

"So what's the verdict doc? The little guy gonna be okay?" John rubbed his thumb up and down on Angus' ear, pleased he was beginning to take to him, okay take to him might be a stretch, but at least he wasn't in a mood to rip his jugular out anytime soon.

"Well, other than the cuts and bruising, which should heal up just fine, Angus does have most signs of neglect that I expected, malnourishment, some dental issues, his front leg looks like it was broken at one point and some obvious scarring," Dean felt a lump in his throat at those words.

He felt a hand on his back, settling him, rubbing a few circles the vet didn't see before it was taken away when Dean had composed himself.

"Are you alright son?" the vet asked when he noticed the pale boy turn almost gray.

Dean nodded sharply, not quite trusting his voice just yet.

"Despite all that, Angus does seem to be okay, no fleas, no signs of any diseases he might have picked up out there which is rare in abused dogs... but-"

At that moment Dean felt something rush through his heart, it hurt, it hurt like a freakin bitch! It burned and scolded the inside of his chest. Wasn't it just totally fucked up that stone cold worry actually hurt physically?

"B-but?"

"He does seem to have suffered some head trauma at some point, probably when he was just a new born, and it's clear that some sort of blow has lead to some long term, if not permanent damage."

"What does that mean?" John asked placing his hand on Dean's back yet again, hoping his offer of comfort would earn some trust back between them.

"Essentially, Angus is blind in his left eye."

Angus only had one eye? His left was freaking blind? Fuck!

Dean couldn't stop the fist that punched the metal table, causing everyone but he and John to jump.

Angus whined and curled into himself protectively, favouring his bad leg, clutching it close to protect it from further harm.

"M'sorry," Dean went back to stroking Angus, "Didn't mean to scare you buddy, it's gonna be alright, I promise."

"On the bright side, Angus does still have one perfect working eye. In most cases like this, the blow causes complete blindness in both, so I know it might not seem like it now, but Angus is very lucky."

Lucky? Lucky? He was supposed to see that Angus was lucky? He was freaking half blind for fuck sake!

"Anything else, doc?" John too couldn't wait to get out of this place. It took everything in him not to wrap both Dean and Angus up in his arms and run back to the car, back where Angus wasn't partially blind and back when he was just a stray dog with a cut or two.

"I just want to get some x-rays for that leg and, depending on what that shows, we'll wrap it accordingly."

Dean knew it was useless to ask, but he did anyway, "Can I stay with him?"

"I'm sorry sonny, but it'll only take a couple of minutes. You can wait with him until then though."

Dean did as he was told, silent and rigid and really not happy about it, but he left the room when he was told to with John, who still had a hand on his back of which he was thankful for. When they were called back, and the x-rays were developed, they found out Angus' leg wasn't broken and was bandaged up again, no stitches were even needed. Dean swore to himself and Angus again that he would find every damn son of a bitch that ever laid a hand on his guy, and beat them to a bloody pulp, ever single last fucker!

They were given some information on Angus' diet and teeth, told to come back in a few weeks to check his leg, handed a few pain pills and antibiotics, and sent on their way to the front desk to pay.

"Sir, that will be-"

"Dean, you wanna take Angus to the car?" John asked cutting the woman off before she could spout the costs of Angus' check up, not to mention x-rays and pills and follow up appointments. Although he loved Angus, Dean would probably have an aneurism when he heard the number; John knew he would like it very much if Dean's head didn't explode in a vets reception office.

Sighing, Dean nodded, holding Angus a little closer before he left for the car. He hoped Sam was in the mood to cheer him up today, god knows he needed it!

"How did it go?" Sam asked when he got in the car.

"It sucked."

Sam looked at the pair and sighed in sympathy, Angus wasn't moving from Dean's arms like he had on the way here, he wasn't sniffing and barking with excitement over new surroundings, he looked worn out and petrified, and Dean was his spitting image.

"At least you get to keep him. Now we just have to get him better."

Dean couldn't help but smile, god he loved that kid, he always saw the silver lining in everything.

When John got to the car, Angus' prescriptions and next appointment in hand, they drove to the pet store and Mary and John picked up almost every conceivable object in the dog toy aisle that Angus seemed to have an interest in, which of course was almost everything. But Dean didn't give a crap about money for the first time in a long time, he'd find a way to pay them back, spend time at the shop again, wash customers cars, fix a few bits here and there that he knew how to do. Whatever. He'd figure it out later, all that mattered right now was keeping Angus happy. The second they walked through the door and he saw all the bright shiny new toys, the little guy was on top of the world, and Dean had to admit, he was pretty happy now too.

By this time Mary was off picking out a bed and John was busy on another aisle working out which food the vet said would be best and trying to find some dental sticks to strengthen his teeth.

Dean was at the top of the shop with Angus trying to not have a meltdown over how many damn collars and leads there were. "I'm liking this one."

He picked Angus up to show him the collars, namely one in particular, it was brown and nicely pimped out with silver studs. Ironically it matched perfectly with the jacket John had loaned him... one he planned to keep if he could.

Angus barked quietly and Dean took that as a yes so he picked the collar up and added it to the basket.

Wandering along Dean couldn't believe some of the stuff that was on sale. "You're a little too awesome to be wearing one of those, and no way in hell are you ever wearing those." Dean sneered in disdain on Angus' behalf at the dog harnesses and matching sets of fluffy dog sweaters and booties. Angus would be the rocking-ist dog of them all if he could manage it, but he wasn't going to be buying him a school boy uniform to match the real Angus... no friggin' way!

He frowned when he noticed he was alone, "Sam?" he asked when the kid was nowhere in sight, weren't they meant to stick together while John and Mary went off looking for the other stuff? "Sammy?" he called a little louder.

"I'm over here," a muffled voice replied from the other side of the shop.

"Where?" Dean set Angus down to hobble at the side of him as he went in search of Sam.

"Stay there, it's a surprise, you and Angus can't look yet."

"At what?"

"Well it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you would it?"

Dean sighed, mostly for dramatic effect for Angus. Fine, they'd pick out a lead to match the collar while they waited.

He picked up what looked like a basic one and hummed happily when he put the two together and they matched.

Mary found him a few minutes later pushing her own cart with a nice sized soft cushion laid in the bottom. "I thought this one was the best to fit at the end of your bed," she informed with a bright smile and Dean couldn't help but give in to.

"It's awesome, thanks. And... thank you for... everything, for letting me keep him and... yeah." He was so bad at this.

"You're welcome sweetie, again. Now, come on, let's see what he thinks." She motioned for him to set Angus down in the cart and he did. It didn't take long for him to start rolling around happily on the padded bed with his paws in the air. "I think he likes it," Mary commented in awe as Dean grinned, really grinned as he leaned over the cart and scratched Angus' belly. Damn, if she had known that this was what it would take to help Dean she would have bought him ten dogs years ago!

John was the next to come back with his cart full of the toys they picked out earlier and a couple of bags of food and a few packets of treats.

"Where's Sam?" Mary asked.

"He's over there somewhere doing something, I don't know. He said it was a surprise and me and Angus had to stay here." Dean gestured vaguely to the other side of the store.

"Well, alright then," John eyed what they had and figured it had to be enough, "you guys go to the check out, I'll go find the squirt, be back in a sec."

Mary moved to the cart John was pushing to let Dean take the one with Angus in it.

The numbers blinking by as the stuff went through the checkout seemed to almost blur in front of Dean's eyes, the amount was phenomenal and rising by the item. His earlier ease was gone - he was gonna have to clean a hell of a lot of cars to pay them back for this!

Mary must have seen his not so well disguised panicked expression because she placed a hand on his arm another on his chin and forced him to look at her. "Dean, you have never asked for anything, not once, we owe you all this and more okay? Just relax sweetie, your job is to take care of Angus, let us worry about the costs okay?"

"O-okay," I will not freak out, I will not freak out! He chanted unable to take his eyes off the rising total, that was until Angus made a whiney sound. He was worried at first the little guy was scared or hurting, but it turned out he wanted his new toys which had been taken away and put out of his reach.

"Take him to the car, we'll be right behind you honey."

Mary handed him the keys and the bright blue rubber ball Angus seemed particularly interested in that had already gone through the scanner and sent the pair on their way.

John came back a few seconds later, Mary bagged the stuff up while John paid.

"About time Sammy," Mary said as her youngest came hopping to the till with a small box in his hand.

"Can I pay for this on its own?" Sam asked the cashier who nodded with a polite smile.

"What have you got there?" Mary asked, smiling at the fact that Sam wanted to pay for it himself.

"Surprise."

"He wouldn't even show me when he was messing with that machine." John stated juggling the bags and new dog bed until he was balanced.

"What machine?" Mary was intrigued.

"There's a thing over there that lets you make your own dog tags, pretty cool."

"Dad, you're ruining it! Don't tell Dean."

"Sorry kiddo, mum's the word, scouts honour."

Sam paid for it and was thankful the cashier looked in the box to make sure everything was okay very discreetly without showing his parents.

"Thank you," Sam smiled when he got his receipt and left the shop with his mom and dad.

As he followed behind back to the car, Sam sneaked a glance one last time at the tag in the box... yup, Dean was gonna love it!

SPN

Dean had just finished re-bandaging Angus' leg for the night and coaxing him to take his pills when Sam walked into his bedroom with an expression on his face he usually reserved for times like Christmas.

"I got you and Angus something."

Well that explains it then, Dean thought.

As the older boy looked up at him, Sam held out the small box and smiled nervously.

"What's it for?"

"I dunno, just... open it."

Dean took the box as he was told to, and opened it when Sam sat down and started stroking the pups head.

Dean smiled, it was a dog tag, it was red with silver engraved letterings on both sides. The front side read, "Angus Winchester." Dean turned it over and looking the other side, it was the logo for AC/DC. Lightning bolt and everything.

"How did you do this?" Dean asked in awe.

"They had a machine."

"How did you do the AC/DC thing? And how'd you even know I named Angus after them?"

Sam shrugged, "I kinda messed around with the machine, it was easy, and you talk about them all the time so it's a little hard not to know who Angus is after, I'm just glad you didn't call him 'Zeppelin kicks ass,' or something."

"It was a possibility," Dean said and Sam almost believed him, if it wasn't for the grin, "but, it was too long, and he looks more like an Angus to me."

Sam nodded, he couldn't agree more.

Dean tickled Angus' neck until he lifted his chin far enough for his owner to clip the name tag onto his new collar. He smiled when Angus jingled it happily before setting his head back down on his thigh.

"He looks tired," Sam commented, still stroking the pup but doing it a little lighter now.

"I think it's the pills." Dean thought about saying come on let's leave him alone to sleep, but he really didn't think Angus would appreciate waking up all by himself. So they both stayed sat in the corner of his room, watching over Angus, talking quietly about everything and nothing, lulling him gently to sleep.

TBC...