Chapter 12

After a semi-successful hunt Dean was just about ready to go home and collapse on his bed. He loved to hunt, and felt satisfied even when the only thing he managed to do was put a spirit to rest. Saving lives always gave Dean a certain thrill and a piece of happiness he couldn't find anywhere else. He looked to his sleeping brother and smiled softly. He'd rather pull his teeth out than admit that he missed hunting with Sam. He trusted no one else more to have his back during a hunt. When they worked together it felt as if they were in sync; if Dean did something Sam subconsciously did something else to compliment him.

Dean turned his attention back to the road when he spotted dark and heavy smoke rising to the sky. He immediately knew something as wrong so he pulled out his cell-phone and dialed for home. It rang once and then twice and then didn't ring at all. He cursed and threw his phone down, waking Sam.

"Dean," Sam mumbled sleepily, "What's going on?"

Dean didn't answer, instead, he sped up, determined to go home and confirm that nothing was wrong. He went as fast as he could, ignoring most if not all rules of traffic just to get home. When he finally pulled up on his street and spotted the fire trucks, police and ambulances sitting in front of his house, his heart almost stopped. He parked haphazardly next to the police tape and practically jumped out of his Impala. He walked mindlessly towards the house, shrugging of the hands of well-meaning officials. His friends from the firehouse were busy fighting the flames which had engulfed his house so it was up to his boss to speak to him.

"Dean, I…" the man started but was cut off when Dean held up his hand.

"Where…" Dean couldn't even ask his question but his boss knew what he was asking anyway.

He pointed towards the ambulance and Dean spotted AC and DC sitting there. His heart leapt into his throat. Dean started walking over as the fire chief said, "We were too late Dean. She was gone before we got here. I think Harry witnessed his death, he's refusing to speak."

As Dean walked over towards his son, he couldn't help but note how small Harry seemed to be. He hadn't seen Harry looking so meek since the beginning and it hurt Dean to think about what Harry had been through. He looked towards the house as if longing to go in there but held himself back. Instead he stumbled over to his son and engulfed the young boy into a tight hug. Harry was silent, staring into nothing but almost as soon as Dean latched onto him he just latched onto his father. Dean buried his face into Harry's hair and held the young boy.

"Oh god," Dean mumbled, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have left you. I'm so sorry,"

Harry was shaking, barely able to comprehend that his father was there let alone what had just happened. He just clung to Dean, hoping that if he held on long enough, he'd be alright. Dean just kept blaming himself, holding onto Harry, making sure he was alive. When Sam finally made his way over to them he knew it was his turn to be Dean's support. His older brother and nephew needed him. Listening to Dean's proclamations of guilt, Sam knew he had to step in. Sam watched them, feeling horrible for the small family. Millie and Harry had become Dean's whole world and with his girlfriend gone and his son hurting, Dean was lost.

"Harry?" Sam asked taking the youth's face in his hands to help him focus, "What happened?"

Harry stared aimlessly into Sam's face before numbly replying. As he spoke, he started reacting and regaining even a semblance of life, "It was dark outside, not quite time for bed. I was in my room finishing my homework for tomorrow when I heard someone walking around in your room. I thought it was Millie so I got up and snuck over there intending to scare her. It was dark and I couldn't see well so I turned on the light. It wasn't Millie."

Harry paused, clearly trying to get his thoughts in order. Dean held onto his son tightly, terrified for what his son had been through. Sam looked between his brother and nephew and sighed. He squatted down in front of them and wiped away Harry's tears.

"Who was it Harry?" he asked quietly.

Harry looked at his uncle with haunted eyes, "It was a man," he whispered, and Dean kissed his head, "He talked to me and said I was a lot like my uncle. He gave me this…smile before frowning and muttering something about me being too old to turn properly. He then said something about me causing a delay in his plans. It didn't make sense. He gave me this stare before he started advancing on me. He grabbed my arm so tightly it hurt, and then Millie entered the room.

Harry paused again, tears rolling down his cheeks, "He turned his attention to her, threw me away from himself and grinned. I don't really remember what happened next. There was shouting and then a flash of light. It was so familiar. Before I knew it the man waved his hand and Millie was on the ceiling. I was hiding behind the door but I don't think I needed to because he wasn't paying attention to me. The man gave Millie this creepy smile and she started to panic. Blood started leaking out of her and the room started on fire. The last thing I saw before I fell unconscious was a pair of glowing yellow eyes.

"The next thing I remember was Black pulling me out of the burning house."

Dean pulled his son even closer and hid his face in his son's hair. His shoulders were shaking and Harry could feel his father's tears falling. Knowing that his father hated being seen as weak, Harry asked Sam to take AC, DC, and Black and get them some food and water. He had to be strong, at least until his dad could be strong for him. Sam complied knowing why Harry was sending him away and gave his nephew a sad smile. He walked off with the dogs. Black seemed like he wanted to stay but the temptation of food and water was too much for him. He looked back at Harry with his father one more time before catching up with Sam.

Harry turned around and burrowed his head in his dad's chest. He didn't know what he would have done if it was Dean not Millie who died. He loved Millie very much but if Dean died, Harry would be broken. The two cuddled for a while until they were joined by Bastian. He had just heard about the fire and practically flew to the site. He took one look at Dean and Harry and knew his sister was dead. His knees couldn't support him anymore, and he collapsed. His coworker spotted his collapse and helped the man to the same ambulance Harry and Dean were at. He then drove the trio to the hospital.

Harry was the worst off due to the shock and the fire; Millie's death and the exposure to smoke and flames. The doctors gave him some clean oxygen and gave him a strong sedative. Harry tried to fight the effects but he was fast asleep in moments. Dean on the other hand refused treatment. He could not take his eyes off his son, terrified something would happen to him as well. Bastian, since he was too distraught to protest, was immediately sedated and placed in a bed next to Harry's. Sam had followed the ambulance with the dogs in the back seat. He left them in the car as he checked on his brother. Dean asked Sam to get a room for the night and to come back in the morning.

Harry woke up the next morning wondering where he was. It smelled sterile and the bed sheets were extra starchy. His dad was sleeping half in the chair half on his bed. Harry was confused for a moment until he spotted Sebastian and his almost grandmother. Then he remembered. He started shaking immediately and tears started streaming down his cheeks. He woke up Dean with his soft sobs and found himself in his dad's comforting embrace in seconds.

"Let it out, Harry," Dean cooed, "I'm here."

They were discharged only a few hours later, and left the hospital. Sam was waiting for them in the Lobby and once he saw Harry he embraced him. Harry couldn't help but lean into the comfort. They got into the car, Dean driving and Harry surrounded by dogs. Sam told Harry without asking that Beauty and Zeppy didn't make it out. They drove to the motel in silence.

"Dad," Harry finally saying his first words all day, "What are we going to do?"

Dean was silent for a moment, "I…we…" he walked away, unable to speak.

Harry asked Sam the same question, "I don't know Lightening Bug. This is your dad's decision, not mine. Just know I will help you guys out where I can."

Harry hugged his uncle and fell asleep in his arms. The poor kid had been dealt a bad hand in life and Sam couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He lay the nine year old on the bed and almost immediately did the three dogs jump on the bed and lay down around Harry as if to protect him. Dean looked at his son finally asleep and just laid down beside him; he didn't think that he could let Harry out of his sight for long again.

The next morning Harry woke up he looked around himself not knowing where he was. He scanned the room until he spotted his dad's hunting jacket and relaxed. Dean reentered the room from the outside and sat down on the foot of Harry's bed while Black followed him and laid down on the floor keeping a constant eye on Harry.

"Hey kid," Dean said gruffly, "How are you doing?"

Harry gave his dad a slight smile and was about to reassure him that all was well when he suddenly remembered. It hit him like a two by four, practically knocking the wind right out of him. He remembered the fire and the screams before finally remembering Millie's death. Harry couldn't help but curl up in a little ball and whimper. Dean reached out to his son and pulled the nine almost ten year old on his lap. Harry could feel a panic attack hitting him, and couldn't catch his breath. Dean put his son against his chest and took exaggerated breaths, telling his son to synchronize his breathing to his own. When Harry finally calmed down enough he promptly turned his face into his father's chest and gave out a heart wrenching sob.

"She's gone," he mumbled, "Millie's gone!"

Dean swallowed down his tears suddenly hit with grief, "Yeah," he agreed, "She's gone."

"Why does everyone who loves me die?" Harry asked.

Dean couldn't help the lone tear that rolled down his cheek. He hugged Harry tightly and told him that he was still there and that even if he died he would never leave him. Harry just clung to his father and cried. It took a good hour for Harry to cry himself back to sleep and in Dean's arms.