Disclaimer: Supernatural and all its characters belong to Kripke and the CW. I own nothing.
AN- This chapter is for my friend Sammygirl1963 who's been under the weather recently. Hope you feel better soon!
Previously on Supernatural- It was time to get a certain little brother fed, bathed, and in bed.
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"Something sure smells good" Dean commented as he walked into the house carrying Sam. His eyes lit up at the enormous amount of food on the counter.
"Yeah, well it ought to after all the time I spent standing over this hot stove." Joshua replied wiping his hands on his apron. "I feel like I've been in a sweatbox. It's pure torture standing here cooking a meal but I did it."
"Uhh, Josh" Sam interrupted.
"And I figured if I was gonna cook, I would go all out." Josh continued. "I made us a completely balanced meal with all of the food groups and…"
"Josh" Sam called again.
"I even managed to make us an apple pie for desert." The older hunter bragged. "Told Bobby that we needed to make sure Sammy here had…"
"JOSH!" Sam hollered.
"What Sam?" Joshua growled glaring at the little boy.
"The grease is on fire." Sam replied pointing at the small pan on the stove.
"Shit!" Josh exclaimed. Grabbing a dish towel off the counter he hurried over to the stove.
"Josh, is something burning?" Bobby inquired as he stepped into the kitchen. Seeing his friend trying to douse the flaming pan he ran over to help cursing at Josh the whole time.
"Think that's our cue to get out quick" Dean whispered to Sammy. He quietly backed out of the kitchen and headed down the hall to the bathroom. Once there the boys slowly washed their hands and Sam's face before shuffling back to the living room. Stopping at the kitchen door they peered around the corner. "Is it safe to come in yet?" Dean joked.
"Come on in boys. Everything's under control now." Bobby called motioning for the boys to take a seat. "Go ahead and start loading up your plates. I'm just waiting on the casserole to heat up."
Dean set Sam in his booster seat and then picked up his plate filling it with a chicken leg, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob, and a roll. Setting it down Dean grabbed his own plate and loaded it up as well.
Bobby carefully took the hot dish out of the microwave and set it on the hot pad on the counter. After stirring the casserole, he carried it over to the table and scooped a generous amount on Sam's plate. "Here's the last of the hash brown casserole, sport." He said.
"That's all that's left?" Sam asked glancing up at Bobby. "But, but you just made it a couple of days ago. How'd it disappear so fast?"
"You've met the human garbage disposal also known as Dean, right?" Joshua quipped chuckling when Dean scowled at him.
"Don't worry kid; I'll make you another one tomorrow." Bobby assured the young man.
"Okay" Sam replied around a mouthful of casserole. He scooped another helping on his spoon and raised it to his mouth before setting it back down as a thought struck him. "Hey Bobby, do you think you could make that other casserole instead?" he asked.
"What other casserole?" Bobby questioned.
"You know that one with the tater tots" Sam prompted. "I remember Dean making it for me. He said he got the recipe from you."
"Oh yeah, uhh, Sammy, Bobby didn't give me that one." Dean confessed turning red as all eyes turned to stare at him. "I just kinda made it up."
"You, you made that up? Really?" Sam said in awe.
"Yeah, you were sick and you wanted casserole. But we didn't have the right ingredients so I improvised." Dean explained. "Figured you wouldn't eat it unless I told you it came from Bobby."
"Do you remember what you put in it?" Sam prodded.
"Sort of" Dean replied. He looked curiously over at his brother. "Why?"
"Cause I'd really like to have some more. It was awesome!" Sam praised.
"Guess I'll have to remember then, huh?" Dean said grinning from ear to ear.
"Now that you two yahoos have tomorrow's meal figured out can we get back to eating this meal before it gets cold." Bobby grumbled.
The four hunters talked and laughed through the rest of the meal. After everyone was finished the men quickly cleared the table, put away the leftovers, and washed the dishes before heading to the living room to watch the Friday the 13th marathon on TV.
Halfway through the second movie Dean glanced down to check on Sam snickering as his little brother struggled to keep his eyes open. Standing he walked up the stairs to the bathroom and turned on the faucet. He couldn't let the kid go to bed without a bath, not after all the time he spent in the middle of the puppy huddle. Going across the hall to their room he grabbed his brother's pajamas and a pull up before going back to the bathroom and turning off the water. He set the step stool next to the tub and then walked back downstairs. "Your bath's ready, Sam!" he called nudging his brother. "Need any help?"
"Yeah" Sam yawned. "Don't wanna fall asleep in the,*yawn* the tub."
"Okay buddy" Dean replied scooping his little brother up. Placing the back of his hand on Sam's forehead he frowned. "You take your medicine already?"
"Not yet" Sam replied laying his head on his big brother's shoulder. "I'll take it after my bath."
"You'll take it now." Dean instructed carrying Sam up the stairs and into their room. Snatching up the pill bottle he handed it to his brother and walked into the bathroom. He set Sammy on the toilet seat and opened the bottle dumping a pill in the little boy's hand. Taking a glass off the sink he filled it with water and handed it to his brother. After Sam took the medicine, Dean helped him get undressed and set him in the tub. Remembering how uncomfortable being bathed made Sam Dean kept up a steady stream of dialog reminiscing about anything and everything he could think of. He chattered away as he lifted his little brother out of the tub and helped him put on his pajamas. Dean didn't stop talking into they were back in their room and Sam was safely tucked into bed. "Okay, is there anything you need before I get a shower?" he asked.
"No" Sam whispered shaking his head.
"Alright then I'm gonna go get a shower but I won't be long. If you need anything, just holler." Dean instructed. "I'll leave the door open so I can hear you."
"Dean, go. I'll be fine." Sam assured his brother. "And you don't have to leave the door open. I can call Bobby and Josh if I need something."
"No you can't. They said they were gonna check the protective symbols and wards around the place after the movie." Dean stated. "And I heard the front door a few minutes ago."
"Oh oookay" Sam yawned closing his eyes. "Night Dean"
"Night Sammy" Dean whispered. He watched his little brother sleep for a few minutes before tiptoeing out of the room.
Sam opened one eye and peered around the room. Hearing the shower start he sat up and tossed the covers off. "I thought he'd never leave." He muttered as he slid off the bed and scampered out of the room and down the stairs. After checking to make sure the coast was clear, he hurried through the living room and kitchen to the back door. Opening the door a crack he peeked outside. Once he was sure Bobby and Josh weren't nearby he walked outside and silently made his way down the stairs. He scanned the area again and then ran to the shed and hurried inside. Going over to the dog pen he softly called, "Muffin! Come here, Muffie!" Sam groaned as all the puppies raced over to the gate. Spotting Muffin in the front he reached through the links in the gate and grabbed her collar before throwing a bone into the pen. As soon as the other puppies ran off Sam opened the gate and pulled Muffin out. He quickly shut and locked the gate and then led the little pup to the shed door. "Quiet Muffin" he whispered looking out the door for any sign of the two older hunters. Seeing no one Sam walked back to the house pulling the dog along behind him. Once inside the house the two friends dashed up the stairs and into the bedroom. Sam pushed an old box up to his bed and helped Muffin climb on the box and then his bed. After putting the box back in its place, the littlest Winchester climbed onto the bed and threw the covers over himself and the pup. In minutes both were fast asleep.
The next morning
A whimpering sound drew Dean out of a deep sleep. Rubbing his eyes he turned and glanced at his brother's bed smiling at the sight that greeted him. He quietly sat up and reached for his phone. Setting it on camera he focused on Sammy and Muffin as they both lay sleeping with their heads on the pillow. He snapped off several shots before putting the phone down and picking up the puppy. Rubbing the pup he walked out of the room, down the stairs, and into the kitchen.
"So that's where the pup ran off to." Bobby muttered as he took the dog from Dean and motioned for the young man to sit down. "I've been looking all over for her."
"Seems a certain little someone decided he needed some company last night." Dean said as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "He must have snuck out while I was in the shower."
"No harm done this time" Bobby replied as he headed to the door. "But I'll be having a talk with him about wandering off alone when he wakes up."
"You and me both." Dean agreed as he helped himself to some pancakes and eggs.
A half hour later Sam shuffled into the kitchen. "Morning Dean, Bobby" he greeted as he climbed up into his seat.
"Morning" Dean replied taking a sip of his coffee.
"Sam Winchester, what did I tell you about running off by yourself?" Bobby growled glaring at the little boy.
Sam gulped as he stared into Bobby's angry face. "You said not to." He mumbled.
"Then why in the heck did you go outside last night? Huh? I thought I made myself clear in the woodshed yesterday." Bobby scolded. "Or do we need to go have another talk?"
"No! I got it Bobby!" Sam protested. "I won't go off again, I swear."
"That's what you said yesterday" Bobby grumbled. "Think you need a little reminder of why going out alone isn't a good idea."
"What, what are you gonna do?" Sam hesitantly asked.
"You've on dishes duty for the rest of the week." Bobby decided biting his lip to keep from grinning at Sam's shocked expression.
"But, but Bobby" Sam stammered.
"Wanna make it two?" Bobby challenged.
"No sir" Sam replied staring down at his feet.
"Good" Bobby said as he set a plate of pancakes and sausage in front of the boy. "Now eat up. I need you and Dean to go into town and pick up some parts for me."
Later
Sam quietly gazed out the window as they drove into town. He smiled as they passed the Build a Bear store remembering all the fun he and Dean had had there. Removing his thumb from his mouth once more he leaned back against his seat and sighed. He was really getting tired of this little body. Glancing back out the window he sat up in his seat and hollered, "Dean, can we go to…" before covering his mouth with his hand. "What the hell! I can't believe I did that." He thought.
"Go where, Sammy?" Dean asked turning down the radio. "Where do you want to go?"
"No where Dean. Never mind" Sam replied hoping his big brother would just let it go.
Curious Dean pulled the impala over to the curb, put the car in park, and turned to face his red faced little brother. "Come on kiddo. Tell me where you want to…" Dean began stopping as he caught sight of the park across the street. "You wanna go play at the park, Sam?"
"Dean, I'm a grown man. I don't play at a park anymore." Sam huffed looking down at his shoes.
"Holy crap! You do, don't ya?" Dean chuckled.
"No, let's just get that part and go home." Sam mumbled wiping a hand across his eyes.
Seeing the motion Dean quickly stifled his laughter. He had forgotten how hard all this was on his brother. Maybe he could do something about that. Pulling back onto the road he drove down the street a little ways before turning into the park entrance. He snagged the first parking spot he came to and turned off the car. "Come on Sam. Think about it. Everybody at some time or other wishes they could be a kid again for just a little while. You got that chance. A chance to do something we didn't get to do a lot when we were little. You gonna waste it?" he challenged knowing he'd won when Sam looked up at him and grinned. Dean climbed out of the old Chevy and opened the back door for Sam who hopped out. Taking his brother by the hand they walked over to the enormous playground. "What do you want to do first Sammy?"
"Slide" Sam called racing over to the red and yellow slide in the middle of the playground. He climbed halfway up the steps before stopping and looking down.
"What's a matter?" Dean asked.
"It's too high" Sam whispered as he slowly made his way back down.
"What? Sam, this thing isn't even as tall as me." Dean pointed out. "And you'd tower above it."
"Not now" Sam reminded him as he craned his neck to look up at his brother.
"Good point" Dean replied. "So, what else do you wanna…"
"Hi! My name's Adam. Wanna play with my new 'mote control truck?" a boy a little bigger than Sam asked as he held out the toy to Sam.
Sam glanced up at Dean who nodded. "Sure" Sam replied following the blond haired boy up to the sidewalk.
"Looks like our two boys have hit it off." A voice from behind Dean called.
Turning he saw a beautiful young woman with long blond hair and a dazzling smile sitting on a bench a few feet away. "Guess so" he replied as he walked over to the bench and took a seat. "Dean and the little guy over there is Sammy."
"Nice to meet you Dean. I'm Jean and that's Adam." Jean greeted.
"Cute kid. His daddy must be proud." Dean commented.
"My brother's a proud papa alright." Jean agreed.
"Brother? You mean Adam's not yours?" Dean questioned scooting closer to Jean.
"No, I'm just babysitting for the day." Jean corrected.
"Oh" Dean replied as he casually laid his arm on the back of the bench behind the young woman. "So what about…" the rest of his question was cut off by Adam's scream. Jumping up he saw Adam pulling a crying Sam down the sidewalk. "Sammy!" he called sprinting toward the boys with Jean right behind him.
"Aunt Jean! Aunt Jean!" Adam hollered. Making it to the grown-ups he let go of Sammy's hand and ran to his aunt. "Aunt Jean, Sammy's hurt!"
Dean leaned over and scooped Sammy up. "Sam, you okay?" he asked.
"I'm alright. I just skinned my knee." Sam whispered before loudly crying "Daddy! That bad boy pushed me and I hurted my knee!"
"What boy?" Dean asked glancing down at Adam.
"It was Troy. He took my truck and when Sammy wouldn't give him the 'mote control he pushed him down and took it." Adam angrily explained.
"Where is this Troy kid?" Dean questioned.
"Uhh, Dean I think you need to see about Sammy first." Jean pointed out. "I have a first aid kit in my bag. I can have him fixed up in no time."
"Thanks Jean" Dean replied following her back to the bench. Setting Sammy on his lap he rolled up his brother's pants leg so Jean could get to it. He watched closely as the young lady cleaned and disinfected the wound before applying a Cars band aid.
"There you go Sammy. It's all better." Jean soothed frowning when the little boy shook his head.
"Nuh uh" Sammy said shaking his head. Smirking up at Dean he asked, "Daddy, kiss it?" in the most innocent voice he could muster.
Caught between a rock and a hard place Dean did the only thing he could; he leaned down and kissed Sam's band-aid covered knee. "It's on" he whispered in his brother's ear before sitting up. "There, now you're all better, right Sammy?"
"Uh huh" Sam replied frowning. "But Adam no got his truck."
"I'll fix that too kiddo." Dean stated as he turned to Jean. "Who's this Troy kid and where can I find him?"
"That would be Troy Campbell. He's an eight year old menace. He and his grandmother think they own the playground." Jean informed the brothers. "She usually sits on the benches right up the hill. But don't go up there. That woman's crazy. Let me get security over here."
"That's okay. I think I can handle an old lady." Dean assured his friend as he stood and headed up the hill.
"Be careful Dean" Jean called as she watched the brothers go up the hill and disappear. Pulling out her phone she hit speed dial. She needed to get security there before something bad happened.
At the top of the hill
Dean stopped at the top of the hill and glanced around. Spotting a little boy playing with the stolen truck he looked for any older ladies groaning when he saw the only other person in sight.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Dean Winchester. Daddy's perfect little soldier." The older lady called as she got to her feet and walked toward the boys.
"Lib Campbell, I should have known you'd be behind the little delinquent." Dean replied setting Sam down beside him.
"The only delinquent around here is you and and..." Lib fired back before laughing. "That's your brother Sammy. I'd know that little face anywhere. What did you two idiots do to cause that?"
"We didn't do anything." Sam corrected. "And what happened to me is none of your business. We just came to get the truck back that your grandson stole."
"My grandson doesn't steal." Lib angrily hollered. "Kids like to give him things and then say he took them. My grandson is not like you two were. He's a good kid."
"What do you mean by that?" Dean asked glaring at the woman.
Seeing a security officer headed their way Sam knew he needed to warn Dean before his brother did something stupid. He grabbed his big brother's hand and wrote the letter "P" in his palm smiling when Dean squeezed his hand in response.
"My grandson's going to make something of himself. He's not going to end up like you." Lib ranted. "He has me to look out for him. Not some stupid, arrogant jerk like your dad. John Winchester was the worst father I've ever seen. He didn't know how to take care of kids always leaving you with Bobby or Josh or Jim or God knows who else. The man wasn't fit to raise children."
"Oh yeah" Sam fired back glaring up at the woman. "Well at least he never lost us to CPS like…" his mouth slammed shut as Lib's fist made contact with his face. Landing on his behind Sam clutched his face with a tiny hand as he stared up at Lib in disbelief. Wanting to keep Dean from jumping the woman Sam screwed up his face and wailed at the top of his lungs surprising Dean and Lib. He heard the security officer yell "Halt!" seconds before he felt Dean kneel down next to him and wrap him in his arms. Together they watched as the officer detained Lib with a little help from Dean whose foot just happened to get in her way.
"Dean! Dean! Are you two alright?" Jean hollered as she got to the top of the hill with Adam. Seeing Dean holding a sobbing Sammy she rushed over to help. "What happened, Dean? Is Sammy hurt?" she asked.
"She hit him." Dean replied as he gently checked Sam's face. "The bitch hit Sammy."
"She what?!" Jean hollered. Seeing Sammy's red face and rapidly swelling eye she lost it. Telling Adam to stay with Dean she marched up to where the security officer was still struggling with a furious Lib. Drawing back her fist she threw a right hook knocking Lib out cold. "Sorry about that, officer." She apologized.
"About what? I didn't see a thing." Officer Kenny said.
"Thanks Kenny" Jean called over her shoulder as she walked back to the others.
"Remind me not to make you mad." Dean joked giving Jean a high five.
"Nobody hits a little kid and gets away with it." Jean replied with a smile. "And speaking of kids it looks like Sammy's going to have one heck of a shiner. Why don't you go sit on that bench over there and I'll go get an icepack from the store across the street?"
"Thanks Jean. That would be great." Dean said. He walked over to the bench with Adam and took a seat. He didn't like the idea of waiting and talking to the police but he wasn't about to risk Lib getting off with a slap on the wrist.
As it turned out he had nothing to worry about. When the police arrived, Sam took over tearfully telling the boys in blue how the mean old lady had hit him and showing them his boo boo. Dean was amazed. His little brother had the two big burly cops wrapped around his finger in seconds. "The puppy eyes work every time" Dean thought with a smile.
After the police finished taking their statements, getting photos of Sam's injuries, and giving Sam and Adam both stuffed bears for being such brave little boys, Jean and Dean took the boys to IHOP for a late lunch. From there they went to the movie theater at the local mall to see the movie "Up" with neither little boy managing to stay awake to see the end. Dean and Jean carried the sleeping boys out to their cars and gently strapped them in their car seats with their bears. After talking for a few more minutes the two said their goodbyes.
Pocketing Jean's number Dean climbed into the impala and drove to the auto parts store and then back to Bobby's. He placed a sleeping Sam on the couch and covered him with a blanket before going into the kitchen with the other two men and explaining what had happened at the park with Lib.
Sam slowly awoke to the wonderful aroma of tater tots. Blinking he opened one eye frowning when the other refused to do the same. Remembering the confrontation with Lib he reached up to touch the right side of his face.
"Leave it alone Sammy" Dean ordered as he walked into the room. Taking a seat beside his brother Dean pulled Sam into his lap. "It's about time you woke up. I was starting to think I'd have to eat all that casserole myself."
"Casserole? You mean, the tater tot one?" Sam excitedly asked.
"Yep, and we better get in there before Bobby and Josh eat it all." Dean replied as he stood and carried Sam into the kitchen.
After supper Bobby and Josh sat on the couch in the living room watching Dean and Sam race the remote control cars that Dean had brought home along with the auto parts. The boys raced for awhile before deciding to use some of Bobby's books to make ramps for the cars to jump. They set up ramps of different sizes and then ran their cars over them laughing as the ramps collapsed or the cars flipped. The Winchester boys happily played until Bobby announced that he had run the water for Sam's bath.
Assuring the others that he could see well enough to bathe on his own Sam walked up the stairs alone. In the bathroom he quickly shed his clothes and climbed into the tub.
Downstairs
"What do you think will happen to Lib?" Dean asked as he took the offered beer bottle.
"Don't know" Bobby replied taking a swig. "Bet the court will ban her from seeing that grandkid though."
"Good, maybe the kid will learn some manners." Dean grumbled.
"Come on Dean" Josh said, "Is he really that bad?"
Dean opened his mouth to speak and stopped as a loud crash sounded from upstairs.