The End of April…finally (warning for language)

The tension that John had been carrying in his shoulders had crept up his neck and was now hell bent on settling in his head. He stretched his neck but nothing was going to ease this other than seeing his son happy and healthy. Well at least healthy he could forego the happy part if he had to. His paternal instinct had gone from a whisper to a dull roar and he forced the accelerator to do his bidding. He checked his mirror and saw that Dean was keeping up.

The sign for the city limits finally came into view and John began to feel a little better; that was until he saw the fireball in the sky. His eyes grew wide as he raced the final blocks home. He hoped and prayed that Max's car was in the driveway. He and the boys had left shortly before she had arrived and he wasn't sure what she was driving but he was pretty certain it was something. And there was no something in the driveway. He tried to calm himself by believing they were simply out doing normal things. But as the sirens began to shriek he had a sinking feeling that there was no normal as far as this situation was concerned.

John threw the front door opened and yelled out for Sean. He stood absolutely still as he immediately saw a large black dog lounging on the couch; it appeared as if he was watching TV. Dean's eyes nearly fell out of his head as a big white bird was running around in circles yelling "run Sean run, yes sir Sean, run." Sam was glued to his spot as he looked into the kitchen and spotted a raccoon on the window ledge that seemed to be waving.

"Oh this so cannot be good," Dean said.

Ten minutes earlier….

"How many of them are there?" Sean asked as Max peered through her binoculars.

"Maybe five, there are three cars."

Sean looked behind him as several deer were grazing behind them. He didn't know what it was about Max or her aura but it sure as hell seem to interest all the four legged beasts. They were lying on the ground spying on what was going on below knowing none of it was good.

"We should probably head back, as soon as they go in the building let's get to the car," Max said.

"Okay," Sean sighed not really wanting to leave the action.

Sean shifted getting ready to get up when a bullet shattered the antler of the deer behind them. The large buck jumped straight up into the air and began to prance around in what appeared to be anger and shock.

"Those sons of bitches it isn't deer season, they're poaching," she said pulling her gun out and firing towards the refinery.

The bullet screamed through the air in all of its aerodynamic glory finding its final resting spot in a propane tank sitting on the outside of the building. The explosion that followed was epic to say the least. The fire reached out to the neighboring barrels of sludge and slop that all appeared to very flammable. The combustion made a wartime bombing look like child's play. Max's eyes were wide in alarm and horror. Sean's eyes were wide with exhilaration and elation.

"That was so cool, you took them all out," he yelled with glee.

"We need to go now!"

The two jumped up and along with the deer several squirrels, a flock of birds, rabbits and other assorted woodland creatures made their way to the fence and the car that waited on the other side.

"Look the explosion ripped open the fencing down there," Sean pointed to a gaping hole in the fence.

"Yeah that's great, more property damage on my conscious," Max said as they scaled the fence.

Sean dropped down and ran towards the car as Max told the animals they need to scatter and take refuge in the forest. She was so preoccupied that she didn't see the log lying behind her and fell right over it twisting her ankle.

Sean heard her fall and ran back to help her up. "Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine, just give me a second," she gasped.

"Holy cow, your ankle is huge, lean on me and I'll help you to the car."

The two hobbled to the car and then quickly realized they were in huge trouble. "I can't drive, I am nowhere near coordinated enough to use my left foot on the pedals."

"I guess if you can't step over a log that would be reaching. I'll drive," Sean announced.

"You're twelve."

"Yeah but Dad taught me for cases just such as this."

"If not for this I would really question his wisdom but right now he is looking really smart to me."

"You need to make nice with the trees this vendetta they have for you is getting ridiculous," Sean said climbing in the car. He rammed the key and in the ignition and turned, but nothing happened.

"You can't just start it," Max said trying to get her foot in a spot that wasn't as painful.

"Oh yeah forgot your car is as normal as you are."

"Come on turn the key three times and then pump the gas four times," she instructed.

Sean tried to follow the directions but found them confusing in this hectic moment.

"Turn, turn, turn," Max said. "Now stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp and whack," she finished by smacking the dashboard.

Sean turned the key and the ancient beast fired up. "Crazy, we could have died just trying to turn the engine over," he huffed.

"Hey its old so give it a break and besides nobody would ever steal it."

"The Impala is old but she starts right up and besides nobody would steal this anyway," Sean retorted.

"Hey that's enough out of you young man."

"Oh you're going to pull the mom card now?" Sean questioned as they zoomed by the entrance to the refinery.

"Oh crap, drive faster," Max said.

"It would sure help if I could see over the steering wheel better," Sean snapped. He looked up into the rearview and then reached up and yanked it down so he could see what was behind him. His eyes grew wide as a car roared out onto the road behind them. He reached as far as he could with his right foot nudging the accelerator down a bit further.

Max twisted around to see the faces of two men in the car behind them neither looking particularly happy at the moment and she had a feeling they would have no problem taking their anger and frustration out on Sean and herself.

Sean drove as fast as he could and continue to stay on the road but the bad guys were gaining and he and Max were both quite nervous. Sean glanced back at the rearview and his eyes grew rounder as he saw several deer including one with half a rack run out on the road behind him and cause the car behind them to swerve and hit a tree.

"Sonofbitch did you see that?" Sean asked excitedly.

"Oh my, it was almost if it was on purpose," Max commented. "Watch your language boy."

But Sean was too keyed up to be any kind of calm. "Now that was the shit!" he said laughing as he tried to keep the car on the road.

"That's it, I warned you now you're going to your room when we get back. Damn kids in such a hurry to grow up," she mumbled. "Now watch for oncoming traffic," she instructed as Sean prepared to make a left turn.

Sean still smiling only shrugged at her admonishment. He was thrilled; they weren't going to die after all. But a half mile from home he looked down and scrunched up his face and then shook his head. "Did you know there is a chipmunk in the ashtray?"

"No guess I didn't notice, apparently he wanted to get the hell out of there too."

"You need to be in your room for your language," Sean joked.

"Sounds good to me I could use a nap."

Sean was nearly home when he looked at an oncoming car and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Crap," he said.

"That's better; I appreciate your effort though I still think you should chill out in your room for awhile, sonofabitch!"

"See there is a time and place for that vernacular," Sean said.

Max looked up at the Impala being driven my John and totally agreed. "What do I do?" Sean asked in a panic.

"Well the car won't make it to Mexico so I guess drive home."

So Sean completed the trip parking the red rust spot next to John's truck. Sam came out on the porch with Angel perched on his shoulder. And within seconds the Impala whipped in the driveway behind the car. John jumped out of the car and began to make his way to Sean who was helping Max out of the car.

Max felt a lot of different things for John, admiration, respect, reverence, even love and occasionally fear and right now fear was winning out. His eyes were a mixture of anger, disbelief and panic and he was heading right towards her.

"Who wants to explain?" he demanded. There was a hesitation as he noticed Sean assisting Max and the size of her ankle. He pushed Sean aside and picked Max up and carried her into the house.

Dean looked at his youngest brother and was unable to quash the smile that erupted on his face. He shook his head in anticipation of the story yet to be told. They turned to walk up on the porch Dean amused that Sam had become a roost for the bird.

"Hey a chipmunk just ran out of the car," Sam said as the tiny beastie stood chattering for attention.

"The raccoons hang out in back, maybe they're equal opportunity," Sean suggested.

His brother's looked at him like he was nuts but the chipmunk scampered off behind the house.

By the time they all trooped into the house John had Max on the couch her leg up on the coffee table and a bag of ice on her ankle. Sean smiled and kept right on going.

"Freeze!" John bellowed.

"I can't I'm supposed to go to my room, I said some bad words and I have to be punished," he said continuing on his way.

"And I said freeze," John replied.

This time Sean complied knowing it wasn't at all in his best interest to defy the direct order. He walked back into the living room and sat down next to Max on the couch. Maddox came over and put his head in Sean's lap and gazed up with big brown eyes. Angel flew from Sam to the back of the couch and flapped his wings and said, "run Sean run Sean."

"I can't Angel not this time."

John glared at the bird who squawked, "sorry sir sorry sir yes sir."

"Okay now I get to talk, what the hell was that all about and does it have anything to do with the large fireball in the sky?"

Both Sean and Max remained mute then Max elbowed Sean, "you tell him."

"You're the responsible adult, you tell him."

"No he's less likely to kill you."

"Nuh uh I'm smaller easier to hide the body, besides he can cover up my death much easier."

"But you're his son, he loves you."

"Maybe but it's not nearly enough."

"Enough, not I'm not asking again Sean Michael starting talking!" John ordered.

So he spilled the beans from the suspected drug dealers, the wildlife brigade and his drive home. John just stood there his face contorted as if he had just snacked on some lemons. His eyes flicked back and forth between the two wondering what he could do to whom. Unsure of what to say he noticed the clock showing it was prime news hour. Relieved for the momentary respite he turned the TV on.

"The as of yet unidentified men are prime suspects in a large scale drug ring just outside of town. They are also thought to be a part of huge explosion in the same facility. At this time it is unknown why they may have attempted to destroy their merchandise. On a funnier note when they were interviewed they swore it was the work of rabid deer who not only were the cause of the damage but also ran them off the road as they attempted to escape. Now I find that beyond amusing…conspiring deer, now that's a new one," the anchorman said unable to stop his laughter.

John clicked the set off folded his arms and like Sean earlier didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

With several days of rest Max's ankle healed well enough for her to move on down the road. It was with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty that John bid her farewell. He knew she was quirky but he also knew he could trust her. He thought she would be good for Sean that he could see that others didn't fall into specific categories, that some people were just as different as he was and even more so. But he hadn't expected the adventure that they co-conspired. He had watched Sean sleep the previous night and as always the what-if's ran through his brain. Their lives were one big set of what-if's. He checked on Max who was sleeping in Dean's bed and she seemed content surrounded by her furry and feathered entourage. No doubt about it his life was beyond bizarre but he couldn't imagine it any other way.

The morning before Max left she took Sean for a walk reminiscing about their time together. "Before I leave you need to tell me something," Max asked.

"Sure," Sean agreed.

"Tell me what you think your place in the world is."

Sean looked off into the distance and then at the ground then at Max. He took a long time to speak and Max was patient every step of the way. There was something deep within him that he wanted to get off his chest and this may be the only opportunity for that. This was something he didn't want to share with those closest to him. Finally his eyes moistened as he prepared to speak and Max softened her face as best she could.

"I'm nothing but dirt on a grave," Sean finally answered.

"Whoa now, what do you mean by that?"

"I am responsible for so much death and I make sure they stay down, that they stay dead. I am the dirt on their grave; lights out forever."

"Because you put them there and they will never return?" Sean nodded. "But they hurt and kill people they deserve to be dead, what you do is amazing."

"I know but sometimes…sometimes I just get tired of all the death; it surrounds me. Why is hell so close and heaven so far?" he asked looking so serious.

"Hell may be all around but you are a little piece of heaven saving so many. You are anything but dirt," Max said putting her hand on his shoulder.

"I told this to my dad once, about being dirt on a grave."

"What did he say?"

"Not much other than maybe one day I could share again with someone."

"Then I feel special."

"I'm glad you do, but it was his way of saying he didn't want to try and understand me."

"Not at all, he just didn't know what to say, that is a pretty deep sentiment."

"We've never spoken of it again, what does that say. He thinks I'm a freak."

"No he doesn't and even if he did he wouldn't love you any less. By not speaking of it only says he still isn't sure what to say and that you keep him too damn busy to figure it out," Max said with weak smile.

Sean tried to return the smile but Max could see it was insincere. She was concerned for him and his state of mind. She knew he would forever do what he was born to do, but at the same time it seemed to be eating him alive and he would fight it along the way. She knew that John would have his hands full every step of the way and hoped they could all handle what would come their way.

They left much unsaid as they connected on a deeper level. They had bonded on a level that would never be forgotten. Preparing to turn around they found a newly poured concrete sidewalk.

"Should we?" she asked.

"Yeah I think we have to," Sean replied.

Max reached over and found a thin stick and wrote her initials in the thick surface SMW she then handed the stick to Sean who did the same, SMW.

"Hey we have the same initials," Sean said as he sat back to admire their work.

"We sure do, now that has to mean something."

"Max thanks for being my mom these last couple of weeks," Sean said with emotion.

"I loved every minute of it," she said tears brimming.

The goodbyes weren't easy as Sean looked upset but in true Winchester fashion he was doing his best to hold it in.

"Thank you for this opportunity to spend time with you amazing son," Max told John. "I learned a lot about life during our experiences." She then turned to Sam, "keep on learning, somebody has to teach these guys how to be smart. Dean first of all I'm sorry about your nightstand, um and the condoms."

"What happened to my nightstand and condoms?" Dean asked in alarm? He had spent the last several nights with Bianca and hadn't really gotten into his room.

"Maddox kinda of helped himself to your stash," Sean admitted.

As if on cue Maddox came trotting out dragging Desire, Dean's blow up doll. Dean kind of made a choking sound and ran over tugging the vinyl creature from his mouth. "What happened darling?" he asked bending down to assess the damage.

"Sorry about that too, bad dog," Max admonished. She finally turned to Sean. "Well kiddo it's been a trip, one I'll never forget."

"Neither will Dean," Sean said turning towards his brother was nearly in tears due to all he lost while he was away. "I had fun, you were fun. If my mom was still alive I would want her to be like you."

"I'm sure your mom would be even better. Maybe when you get a little older your dad will let me come back and visit you like after you have your driver's license." She finally turned to John again and fighting tears gave him a hug of gratitude something she had always done because if not for him she wouldn't be around to experience anything.

That night Sean carrying two brown lunch bags went outside and sat down on the porch. He breathed the fresh spring air and thought of his days with Max. He admired her creativity in life and hoped that he could always carry a piece of her with him. He thought of his mother and what she was like and would have been like as a parent. He hated to dwell on what he didn't have but sometimes he found it necessary. Finally he heard some chattering and the entire reason he was on the porch came scuttling his way. Mama raccoon and her babies gave him a questioning looks as if to ask where their friend was.

"She had to leave guys. My dad likes animals and all but I don't think it would be in your best interest to hang around here, we own too many guns. But look I packed you two bags of snacks to get you started and if you go down to that house," Sean said pointing to Mrs. Torrance's house, "she will throw enough food at you to last the entire summer."

He handed off one bag to mama and the other to the largest of the three babies. They turned and seemingly waved and scurried down the street dragging the bags behind them.

Sean watched the family until they disappeared and then turned to go inside. "Hey who took the last apple and where are the muffins?" Dean yelled. Sean smiled turned back around and waved to the empty street.