Chapter 14
Disclaimer: Still don't own them
A/N: A huge thank you to Soar for her invaluable help with this chapter and for the beta job. Any left over mistakes are mine.
Bobby awoke early the next morning. He checked on Dean and was glad to see that the young man was still asleep. He made a pot of coffee and got ready to go wake John. He wanted answers.
Bobby opened the front door and saw that John was already awake.
"Morning, Bobby," John greeted softly. "Mind if I go in and use the bathroom?"
"Go on," answered Bobby.
John didn't need to be told twice. After taking care of business, he followed the scent of coffee into the kitchen.
"Do you want me back outside?" John asked cautiously. He was trying to gauge Bobby's mood.
"Sit, talk," Bobby ordered instead.
John knew that Bobby was still mad. He got that way when he didn't trust himself not to say something that he might regret later. John could still remember the time Bobby had last been this upset with him. It was after he and Dean had battled that fear demon.
John had just finished berating his son under the influence of the demon, he couldn't believe the look that Dean wore on his face though. It was as if someone had taken out his heart and walked all over it. After Dean subsequently walked out, John had wanted to apologize. He had just started after his son when he heard a shot gun being cocked behind him. He turned and saw Bobby aiming it directly at his head.
"GET OUT!" Bobby shouted.
"Bobby, I'm sorry. I just lost my temper," John started, attempting to appease the other hunter.
"Did you not hear me the first time, Johnny? GET OUT!"
"I'll get Dean and go," John said finally.
"I didn't say anything about Dean leaving, just you. You call your son tomorrow from a hotel. You as much as set foot on my property again though, and I will have you arrested. Do not test me on this. You can come back when Dean wants to see you."
John did exactly as he was told, deciding that a tactical retreat was necessary. He called Dean the next day and apologized to his son. A few days later, Dean called his father and said that he was ready to have another go at the demon. Dean seemed to have gotten his confidence back and the second time they faced that demon, it didn't stand a chance. John was proud of the way Dean handled the situation and made sure his son knew it. He didn't know how Bobby managed to put his son back together that time, but John was grateful.
"Johnny, you listening?" Bobby ground out. "I said talk."
John took a deep breath and began.
"It started the day we went to visit Mary's grave. I was just getting ready to leave when we ran into Mary's father. I hadn't seen Frank in over 20 years."
"That's the guy with you, Mary's father?" Bobby asked.
"Yeah, he wanted to meet the boys. I wanted to tell him no, but he just seemed so lost, I couldn't. I said I would leave it up to the boys. Dean decided he wanted to meet him, but Sam didn't."
Bobby wasn't surprised that Dean had wanted to meet his grandfather, but he was a little shocked that Sam didn't and it showed.
"The reason Sam didn't want to meet Frank is the reason we're all here," John explained. "Anyway, Dean and Frank really hit it off. The last time I saw him connect to someone like that was the day he met you."
"Did he hurt him?" Bobby asked. He was really starting to warm to the idea of introducing this Frank Jackson to the business end of his shot gun.
"Not in the way you're thinking," John denied instantly. "The affection was mutual on both sides. Believe me, Bobby, Frank cared about Dean," John said.
"I'm guessing something happened between the two," Bobby said wryly.
"Yeah, but you have to go back 27 years, to just after Dean was born. Mary made a promise to her father. Frank agreed to pay for the wedding and a down payment on a house if we would name our first born Jackson. Mary had planned to do that right from the start, but you know about the complications Mary had with Dean and his being premature," John explained.
Bobby could guess where this was headed. "He took one look at our boy and decided that he didn't want you to give Dean his name in case he didn't make it," Bobby finished.
"Yup, that's when Mary decided to name him after me," John explained with a touch of pride. He was upset about his father-in-law's treatment of his eldest but he was proud to have his son named after him.
"How did he find out, did Frank tell him?" Bobby and John didn't miss the threat that was concealed in those words.
"No, Frank wouldn't have, I swear. You should have seen Dean this last week, Bobby. He's been happier and more relaxed than I've seen him in a long time. I mean, he was even starting to open up about Mary. It was Margaret, Frank's wife, who told Dean the truth. She never liked me and I guess that extended to Dean."
"I think we need to get Frank in here. He and I need to have little chat," Bobby said and John cringed. He felt sorry for his father-in-law. He had received more than one of Bobby's little chats.
Before John could say anything else, they heard noises coming from the other room. Bobby and John both guessed that Dean was now awake.
"I'm going to go check on Dean. Wait here," Bobby instructed.
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Dean awoke and looked around the room he was in. It took him a moment to remember where he was, but instead of feeling anxious, he felt a sense of calm he normally experienced when he was at Bobby's. His head was feeling better, as was his shoulder, but he was still a little stiff and sore. He got up and went about his normal morning routine of going to the washroom and getting dressed. With his arm still sore, he decided to skip his shower and went looking for coffee.
He met Bobby in the living room.
"Morning so... um, Dean, how are you feeling?" Bobby asked with concern.
Dean started to say he was fine, but one look at Bobby and Dean changed his answer. "I'm still a little sore, but nothing too bad," Dean said truthfully.
"Um, Bobby, about last night, um, I, um, I'msorryaboutlastnight," Dean blurted out. He didn't really mind Bobby calling him son. He even missed it sometimes.
"No problem. Can you do something for me?" Bobby asked. He sensed that Dean wasn't ready to talk or confront his family, he needed a distraction. Usually, Bobby sent him into the salvage yard, but with his arm bound, he knew that Dean wouldn't be able to fix cars, so he decided to take advantage of Dean's other talent, his math skills.
"Anything," Dean said sincerely.
"This last week has been so busy I fell behind on my books. Can you look at them for me?" Bobby asked in a pleading tone. He knew there were several errors and he didn't have a clue as to where to begin to fix them. The last time they had been organized was just after the car accident, when Dean was too weak to join Bobby and John in the garage. So he would feel useful, Bobby had put him in charge of his finances. They hadn't been so well organized since.
"I can try, are they in your office?" Dean asked fearful of what condition they were in.
"Yup, and they're a mess."
"Just let me get some coffee and I'll get started," Dean said eager to pay Bobby back in some small way for the older man's kindness.
"I'll bring it to you," Bobby offered. He didn't want Dean running into his father just yet.
"Okay, I like being waited on," Dean said with a cheeky wink.
"Just don't get used to it."
"Hey, Bobby, um, thanks," Dean said.
"You're welcome," Bobby said. He started to go back towards the kitchen and then turned back to Dean and added softly, "Son." He couldn't keep the grin off his face when Dean didn't correct him
Dean went into Bobby's office and pulled the account books toward him, previous visits meant he knew where most things were in Bobby's house. They really were a mess Dean decided after giving them a brief look. He was surprised that Bobby had managed to stay in business for as long as he had. Dean looked up when he heard someone enter the room and he saw Bobby bringing him his coffee.
"You hungry?" Bobby asked.
"Pancakes?" Dean asked hopefully. Bobby wasn't much of a cook, but he made the best pancakes.
"Sure, just give me a bit of time, okay? I'll call when they're ready."
"No problem. I'll be here," Dean said.
Dean watched Bobby walk out of the room and wondered how he got so lucky to have Bobby in his life. He turned his attention back to the book and fuelled with caffeine, Dean looked at the first column of figures, his natural ability with numbers took over, and he began to work swiftly and confidently.
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Frank and Sam woke up about the same time that John went into the house, but Sam figured they would be better off letting John fill Bobby in on the situation. Trying to fill the uneasy silence between them, Sam told Frank the story about his and Dean's prank wars. He had Frank in chuckles when he told him about how he used to play connect the dots on Dean's freckles.
"That was a good one, Sam," Frank laughed. "What did he do back?"
"He put Nair in my shampoo one time. I had to wear a ball cap to school for a week. I got back at him good for that though," Sam said.
"What did you do?"
"I put a for sale sign in the window of the Impala. Poor Dean couldn't understand why he was getting so many calls asking how much he was selling it for. Then I took it a step further. I swiped the spare key and had a friend's brother drive off in it. I told Dean that I'd sold it for what it was worth and handed him a buck," Sam said with a grin.
"And you're still breathing?" Frank asked in disbelief. He knew how Dean felt about his car.
"Only because Dad was home," Sam explained. "Was Dean ever mad, he wouldn't talk to me for a week."
"He forgave you though, right?" Frank asked hopefully.
"Yeah, Dean's pretty forgiving, especially when it comes to family."
"What I did was a lot bigger than pretending to sell the Impala," Frank said. "I honestly wouldn't blame Dean if he never spoke to me again." Sam didn't miss the regret in Frank's voice.
"You're here Frank, that will count for a lot. Just give him time and never under estimate the size of my brother's heart," Sam offered.
Frank looked thoughtful. "That's what Mary said, that Dean's heart was so big his body couldn't fill it in. That's so true. I saw that when we went to dinner one night and we ran into friends of mine, the Ames'. They had their nephew with them. His parents had been killed a short time ago and what Dean did for that little boy was amazing. Although I don't know why I was so surprised, given what happened at my old office a few days before that."
"What did happen?" asked Sam. He knew that Dean had run into Paul and Michelle Ames when Dean told them how he got the information.
Frank found himself remembering.
He had wanted to bring Dean by his old office and essentially show off his grandson. He knew that Dean was not comfortable with the idea though, so they made a compromise, Frank could introduce him to a couple of people he worked closely with.
They stopped by the offices of a couple of people and then Frank wanted to introduce Dean to the Vice-President of the company, a woman by the name of Andrea Stanwick.
They went to her office and Frank was pleased to see that she was in. He had met Andrea when she was a young intern with the company. As a woman in a man's world, she had to work twice as hard and had overcome every obstacle in her path. She had reminded Frank a lot of Mary and he supposed that was why he took such an interest in her. He took her under his wing and groomed her to eventually take over his job. She was now the Vice President of the company and next in line for the CEO position when the current one retired.
Frank was very proud to introduce his grandson to this woman, and as it happened, Andrea's daughter had been there as well. Andrea's daughter, Rachel, had been born with a facial deformity and was extremely self conscious about her appearance. It was plain to everyone in the room that the girl had instantly developed a crush on Dean when she met him, and Andrea watched with some trepidation as Rachel approached him. The last time this had happened, the man had laughed at her daughter and Rachel had been crushed.
"Hi," Rachel said shyly to the young man.
"Hi," Dean said squatting to her level and sticking out his hand. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name's Dean."
The little girl giggled and replied, "Mine's Rachel."
"Rachel, honey," Andrea said calling to her daughter. "Are you about ready to go?" She wanted to get her daughter out of that room before anything happened that would hurt her feelings. She would come back for the rest of her files later.
"You said you would get me some fries from the cafeteria," Rachel reminded her mother. She then turned toward Dean. "Maybe you could get some too, if you want. They make the best fries here," the little girl said.
"We can go to McDonald's later okay?" Andrea said.
"Mom, their fries aren't as good," Rachel said with a hint of a whine in her voice.
"You know," Dean said, "I am kind of hungry and I love fries. I'm sure that your mother has a lot to catch up on so if it's okay with her, I would be honored if you would escort me to the cafeteria," Dean said gallantly.
"Can I, mom, please?" begged Rachel.
Andrea was torn. Usually, her daughter wouldn't set foot out of the office when she was here and now she was begging to go. There was also the fact that Andrea didn't know Dean from a hole in the wall, but she wanted to make her daughter happy. She did trust Frank and this was Frank's grandson.
Frank looked at Andrea and knew what she was thinking.
"You can trust Dean," he whispered.
"Okay" Andrea said finally. You can go and I will meet you there in about 10 minutes," Andrea instructed. What was she doing?
"Thanks, mom," Rachel said with a huge grin.
"I'll take good care of her Mrs. Stanwick," Dean assured her. He put out his arm and linked it with Rachel's and together they left.
"It's really fine, Andrea," Frank said offering his reassurances.
Ten minutes later, they left for the cafeteria and when Andrea and Frank arrived, they grabbed some food and headed over to the table Dean and Rachel were sharing. Andrea could see Rachel laughing at something Dean had said. Then she saw something that amazed her.
Her daughter had always worn her hair long so that she could hide the right side of her face behind it. Andrea saw her daughter reach up and tuck her hair behind her right ear so that her face was in plain view. Rachel looked at Dean and smiled shyly. Frank and Andrea joined Dean and Rachel and they all enjoyed lunch together. Andrea felt that Dean had to know that her daughter had a crush on him and he acted as though he was flattered as he made Rachel smile and laugh all through their lunch. He was the perfect gentleman and never once treated her like a kid.
What Frank didn't know about was what happened between Rachel and Andrea after Frank and Dean had said their goodbyes. Something that forever won Dean Winchester a place in Andrea's heart.
"Wasn't Dean cute, mom?" Rachel asked.
"He was," she admitted.
"Do you think he's cuter than Daddy?" the young girl asked innocently.
"Yes and do not tell your father I said that or I will deny it," Andrea said with a fake frown and mock severity.
The little girl smiled, pleased to have a secret with her mother. They pulled into the drive way of their house and the little brat, Maxine, who lived next door, came over when they got out. Andrea feared this would be the end of Rachel's good mood.
"Hey, did you scare anyone today?" Maxine asked. She always teased Rachel about her appearance.
Rachel wanted to run crying to her mother, but then she remembered Dean's words. He had asked her to pull her hair back. She had said that she was embarrassed because of her appearance, but Dean had told her that she had nothing to be embarrassed about, and if anybody made fun of her, it was because they were jealous that they weren't as pretty as she was. Once she stood up for herself, they would leave her alone. Rachel had heard her mom say numerous times that she was pretty, but she had to say that because she was her mom. When it came from a guy as good looking as Mr. Jackson's grandson, it had more of an impact. Taking courage in Dean's words, Rachel looked her tormentor straight in the eye and said "No, did you?"
Maxine wasn't sure how to react, Rachel never stood up to her.
"You know Halloween was a long time ago..." she tried again, only to be interrupted by Rachel.
"And I should have taken my mask off a long time ago. You know what, Maxine, you need, new material, that stuff's really getting old. "
"Yeah, well, you're so..."
"Ugly that the doctor slapped my mother and she has to tie a steak around my neck to get the dog to play with me. Try again," Rachel said, beginning to enjoy the flustered look on Maxine's face.
"You um, you're..."
"You know, if brains were gas, you wouldn't have enough to power a flea mobile. You leave me alone, Maxine Smith, I'm not ugly or funny looking. I know that you're just jealous because you're not as cute as me." With that, Rachel turned and headed in the house.
"Did you see that, Mom?" Rachel asked her mother as she ran to the house.
"Yeah, you put her in her place. I'm so proud of you."
"Dean was right. I just have to stand up for my self. I can't wait to tell daddy."
After making sure Rachel was occupied, Andrea went straight to her room and cried. The next time she saw Dean Winchester, she was going to give him the biggest hug ever. When her husband came home that night and learned the whole story he wanted to hug Frank's grandson right along with his wife. Rachel didn't change completely, she was still a little self conscious in public, but she seemed to have gained some confidence. She now started to fight back when someone tried to pick on her, and the little brat from next door stopped coming near her daughter.
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Sam couldn't help but remember the times that Dean had interacted with Lucas and Michael. He would have told Frank the about it if he could think of a plausible story about why he was interacting with them in the first place.
"Dean is going to make a wonderful father someday," Sam heard Frank comment.
"He was always good with kids," Sam agreed. He felt his grandfather was right, Dean would make a wonderful father if circumstances were different.
During their discussion, an unspoken truce was reached between the two.
"Sam, Frank, could you two step in here." They heard Bobby order them into the house.
Frank couldn't help but notice that Sam looked like he had just been called to the principal's office. Frank couldn't blame him though, because he felt the same way.
They joined John in the kitchen and Bobby asked for their side of the story.
"You first, Sam," Bobby commanded.
Sam launched into his story about what had happened during the last week. He echoed John's sentiments about the connection between Dean and Frank.
"I guess that's why Dean got so mad at me. He figured I knew the truth from the beginning and feels I lied to him," Sam added at the end of his explanation.
"Your turn," Bobby said to Frank without commenting on Sam's story.
Frank told his story once again.
"I am sorry, I really didn't mean for Dean to get hurt over this," he finished.
Before Bobby had a chance to say anything, he heard a voice call out from behind him. "Hey, Bobby, I figured out what was wrong. You paid Sampson Motors twice for the parts they sent you, but you didn't pay Sampson's Garage at all. You're going to..."
Dean stopped short when he entered Bobby's kitchen. The last thing he expected to find was his father and brother, not to mention his grandfather, seated at Bobby's table.
"Dean, thank God you're alright," John said. "I was worried when I woke up and you weren't there."
"I'm surprised you noticed I was gone," Dean said. Oh man, did I just say that out loud.
"Of course I noticed, Dean," John said gruffly.
"Then I'm surprised you cared." I must have hit my head harder than I thought.
John's first instinct was anger, but he managed to hold it in check.
"Why would you think I didn't care, Dean?" John asked softly.
"Nothing, never mind, just forget I said anything." With that, Dean turned and walked out the kitchen.
John wasn't sure what to do. He wanted to go after his son, but he knew that Dean was still hurting and he was afraid of making it worse.
"You three wait here, I'm going to go talk to him," Bobby instructed. Then he followed Dean.
Bobby checked his office but there was no sign of the young man. He couldn't help but glance at his books. He could see several corrections, and with the adjustments, they balanced perfectly. He then checked the rest of the house. When he didn't find him Dean anywhere inside, Bobby had a feeling where the younger man might go.
He left the house and walked out into the salvage yard. He found Dean in his garage.
"Hey, Dean, is that your grandfather's Ferrari in the driveway?"
"Yeah," the younger man replied without looking at Bobby.
"Want to hot wire it and take it for a spin?" Bobby asked. He was trying to loosen the kid up, but part of Bobby really meant it.
"If you ask gran... Frank for the keys, he'd probably take you for a drive," Dean said.
"Maybe later, but I heard Frank, Sam and John's side of the story. I want to hear yours," Bobby stated firmly.
"Nothing to tell," Dean replied.
Bobby knew that Dean had things he needed to get off his chest, and he had a way of making Dean talk by literally cornering him so that Dean had no escape.
"There's lots to tell, now start talking," Bobby instructed, his voice brooking no argument.
"No," Dean replied sullenly.
"Dean, why did you come here?" Bobby asked gently.
"Because it was on the way," Dean answered.
"Dean, why did you come here?" Bobby repeated. This was another tactic he used. If he asked the same question over and over, Dean eventually lowered the walls.
"I was in the neighbourhood," Dean tried again.
"Dean, why did you come here?"
"You got a hearing problem? I wanted to say hi."
He was starting to crack. "Dean, why did you come here?"
"Because…I wanted to be here?" Dean was beginning to sound less sure of himself.
One more time Bobby thought. "Why, Dean, why did you want to come here?"
"I WANTED TO FEEL SAFE," Dean exploded. With that, he tried to bolt. Bobby stepped in front of him, blocking the younger man's retreat.
Bobby hated having to do this to the young man he considered a son, but he knew it was necessary and he had to keep pushing. Bobby walked up to Dean and put an arm around his shoulders and led Dean over to a bench.
"I'm glad you feel safe here, son, and anytime you need a place to get away you're welcome here and you know it."
"Thanks, Bobby," Dean acknowledged softly.
"Now tell me what happened," Bobby said gently, but firmly.
"Grandpa didn't want me," Dean said simply, in a tone that broke Bobby's heart. "I wasn't good enough for him."
"Dean, how old were you when you first met your grandfather?"
"According to mom, three days."
"Now tell me what you could have possibly done to give your grandfather the impression you weren't up to his standards at three days old?"
"I wasn't strong enough," Dean said.
"Why, what did you do that made you weak?" Bobby asked.
"I was early," Dean explained.
"So, that's your fault? Dean, your father told me the story of when your mother was pregnant. He said that she followed every instruction that the doctor gave her. Sometimes, things like that happen. There was nothing you could have done to stop yourself from coming early. From what I heard, you weren't even supposed to survive the night, yet three days later, you were still hanging on. Explain to me where you were weak."
"Then why did Frank ask mom not to give me his name? He thought I wasn't going to make it?"
"Once again, explain to me how that was your fault. You were fighting with everything you had and I'd say you came out on top. If Frank chose not see that, it's his weakness not yours," Bobby said firmly.
Dean wanted to protest, but Bobby's words were starting to sink in. However, he had been blaming himself for things for 23 years and that wasn't going to change in a day.
"You wouldn't understand," Dean said.
"Try me," Bobby countered.
"I was never supposed to be named after Dad. It feels like I don't have a name. It was almost as if it was an after thought," Dean explained. "I told you that you wouldn't understand."
"I do understand what you're saying, son. Your dad told me why your mom gave you his name. She said you had his strength and that his name suited you. If your name was an afterthought, she could have picked any one of a thousand names, yet she still chose to give you one that meant something."
Dean thought about Bobby's words.
"Dean, one other thing I want you to remember. 20 years ago I met Jonathan Dean Winchester Jr and that young man became like a son to me. I don't care if your name's Dean, Jack or Orvall, I love you just the way you are." With that, Bobby pulled Dean into a gigantic bear hug and refused to let Dean pull away. Bobby didn't usually come right out and tell Dean that he loved him, he felt that Dean knew, but he also knew that right now, Dean needed to hear it.
"Thanks, Bobby," he said when Bobby let him go, then he shuddered.
"What is it, Dean?"
Dean looked at the man and said, "Orvall."
"That's my brother's name. You should consider yourself self lucky, kid," Bobby said wryly.
"You know, Dean's not so bad," Dean admitted. "And Bobby…"
"Yes, son."
"I ah... I ah… I love you too," Dean mumbled. He used the L word even less than Bobby.
Bobby knew that Dean was far from being over this, but he felt as if he was starting to make some progress. He felt that Dean had to have a serious discussion with his family. He knew that Dean's feelings toward his father right now were about more than just this name business, and he wasn't going to feel better until he got it all off his chest. Right now, he needed a break though.
"Come on, I know you've got to be hungry. Let's go back to the house and I'll make pancakes."
"Chocolate chip?" Dean asked hopefully.
"Is there any other kind?"
Bobby put his arm around Dean's shoulders and led him back to the house.
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