Chapter 25

The days grew warmer as spring moved in driving winter back into the shadows letting new growth come out once again. The trees were putting on their coats of green and flowers were popping up across the area littering the ground with bright, bold colors. Dean could feel the freshness in the air and could tell the world was coming back to life after the dreary winter months. It seemed everything was being reborn or given a new surge of energy. Even Hank had more of a spring in his steps as he busied himself around the bar.

Officer Douglas had stopped by to let them know the man who attacked Hank and tried to assault Dean was behind bars. They had found other victims of his attacks so he wasn't getting out for a long time. They wouldn't need any additional information from either of them which was good news to Dean, he wasn't ready to leave Hank just yet. He was finally beginning to bond with him. Hank was glad about the news and thanked him for the information inviting him in for free drinks one night.

Dean kept his window opened allowing fresh, clean air to flow into the rooms. He started going to the library on Mondays since the bar was closed and found more books to read on the supernatural. He used the computers and looked up articles on every subject he could think of regarding what he read. He found urban legends and was going to ask Bobby if any of them were true. There was so much information on the internet he wasn't sure what was to believe and what not to. It was mind boggling and he wanted to absorb it all.

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Bobby had been stopping by about every month bringing new books for him to study and answering what questions he had. While he was at the library, Dean had been doing searches on his father trying to see if he could find any information about him. He checked out public records, tax records, social security records anything he could think of and get into to try and find his trail. He did find a police report a couple years after they were put in the orphanage about a John Winchester being arrested for breaking and entering but he had escaped the police and disappeared. He couldn't find anything else and wished he was a better hacker and decided that was his next project, improve his skills on the computer. It was harder to do since he didn't have a laptop, but decided maybe it was time to get one. He had saved up most of his pay from Hank and thought it would be a good investment for his future.

Working in the bar helped him build muscles and Dean also started running every day to build his stamina and keep himself in shape. He found a jogging trail a few blocks from the bar and started using it as long as weather permitted. Hank watched the boy grow more confident and sure of himself with each passing day. He couldn't believe this was the same boy that climbed out of a dumpster so many months ago, scared, wary and distrustful. He still didn't know Dean's story and really didn't care what it was. He was a good kid, with a good head on his shoulders and smart well beyond his years. Hank felt like Dean was the son he never had. He tried to give him fatherly advice and help guide him along his way. He was so proud that Dean had chosen to stay with him all this time and give him a chance to be a father to the boy. He didn't know how much longer hewould stay with him but he would give him a home as long as he wanted and needed it. He was thankful for each day he had with the boy knowing it might be the last when Dean decided it was time to move on. He had a feeling he was searching for something or someone and wouldn't give that search up until he found it.

The months ticked quickly by and fall was just around the corner. The days were still warm and mild but the nights were cooling down letting everyone know what was coming. Dean was starting to get restless again and he knew what he wanted to do. He just hoped Hank wouldn't be too mad with his decision. He loved Hank for all the kindness and help and love he had given him. Dean looked up to him and respected him so much; he was like a father to him just as much as Mitch was the two years he spent with him. It took a while for Dean to start really trusting Hank, but he found him to be an honorable man and a man of his word.

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"Bobby!" Hank called as Bobby strolled into the front door and took a seat at the bar. "Hadn't seen ya in a while."

"How ya been Hank?"

"Getting by as always. Care for a cold one?"

"Sounds good."

"Dean's been asking after you wanting to know when you were coming back by."

"Where is the boy? He's usually down here helpin' out." he asked when Dean had not greeted him too.

"I gave him the day off. Boy's been working too hard. Made him go shopping, he's outgrown his clothes again, had himself a growth spurt. I swear he's grown five inches and he's starting to put on some muscle, he's going to be turning all the ladies heads pretty soon. He's going to be a tall one too. Should be back anytime now." Hank said looking at his watch.

"Just wanted to drop off some more books for him while I was this close. That boy has a mind like a sponge."

"You on a hunt?"

"Yep suppose to meet up with another hunter and do a salt and burn before heading on home. Guy's still wet behind the ears and doesn't want to do it on his own."

"Well you gotta stay until he gets back; he'll be so disappointed if he doesn't see you." Hank told him wiping the bar down.

Both looked toward the front door as Dean walked in carry a couple of bags. His face lit up with happiness when he spotted Bobby at the bar.

"Bobby, good to see you." Dean told him hurrying over to the hunter. "It's been a while since ya been by."

"Yeah I know, had some cases out east and then I had to help with research for a couple of hunters and there's manning the phones at home, had to take my monthly turn at that."

"Are you staying over?"

"Naw meeting up with someone to do a salt and burn a few hours from here. I was on my way back from a voodoo ritual in Texas when he called for the help."

"Can I come with you?" he asked out of the blue causing both men to turn and look at him in surprise.

"Dean, what are you asking?" Hank questioned him.

"I want to be a hunter." he told them. "I can do this. It's what I'm suppose to do."

"Son you've had no trainin', you could get yerself killed by what's out there." Bobby said trying to change his mind. "All your book learning is good, but you've had experience with fighting."

"You can train me, I'm a fast learner. I've been studying everything I can find to learn more about it." he insisted. "Hank's got Jeb and Doc to help him. I want to do this and it's not like we can't stop by and see him when we're near. It's time, I need to continue my journey." he told Hank trying to be honest with him.

Hank looked sadly at Dean seeing that intense excitement in his eyes at the chance to become a hunter. He was losing his boy and there was nothing he could do about it. He knew that look on Dean's face and knew there was nothing he could say to change his mind. This was something Hank had to accept and let Dean go. He had no right to try and stop him since he wasn't any kin to him, but he knew how dangerous being a Hunter was and he didn't want to lose him because of some minor mistake.

"Dean, how old are you, fifteen?" Bobby asked.

"I'll be thirteen in a few months."

"Don't ya think you should be finishing up school instead of thinking about hunting?"

"No, I can school myself and if you don't want to help that's fine, I'll start hunting on my own." he said not giving in to any attempt to sway it.

"Dean can I talk to Bobby alone for a minute?" Hank asked him.

"Ok, I'm going upstairs to pack." Dean said heading for the storeroom. He wasn't really giving them any choice in the matter. He was sure neither of the men downstairs would let him go out on his own and hunt.

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"Bobby you're not goin' to stop him." Hank said sadly. "If he's going to do this, I'd feel a lot better knowing he was trained by you and you had his back. If anyone can give him a fighting chance, then its you. You can train him to survive out there."

"Hank, he's only soon to be thirteen! He's a snot nosed kid still wet behind the ears. What am I gonna do with him?"

"Be a friend to him, his mentor, you know he looks up to you. He needs a father figure. I've had him almost a year and I've watched him grow in spirit and maturity. He's a twenty-five year old in a kid's body."

"Balls!" Bobby grumbled sipping his beer wanting to get the hell out of there before Dean was packed. What was he going to do with an almost teenager in his life? He never saw himself as a father after what he went through with his own Dad.

"Think about it Bobby, how long would he last out there on his own? What if he hooks up with the wrong people? Bobby, I'll miss the kid, he's been like a son to me, but I knew he would be moving on. I'm just glad he was in my life as long as he was. He needs someone like you, give him a chance and if it doesn't work out...Then send him back my way, there will always be a home for him here as long as I'm alive."

What Hank was saying was true. Dean wouldn't last a week out there hunting on his own. He still needed some serious training before he would ever let him go out on a hunt and a few more birthdays under his belt. Hell, looked like he just got a new roommate.

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Dean walked back into the room with his duffel and a bag of clothes that were too small. He looked from Hank to Bobby waiting patiently to see what was going to happen. One way or another he was leaving he just hoped it was with Bobby.

"Let's get something straight up front..." Bobby started knowing he couldn't let this kid go out there on his own and get killed. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he did. "You do exactly what I say when I say and if I tell you to jump, you ask how high. The first time you don't do as I say, I'll kick yer ass up between your shoulder blades you got me? It's my way or ya can stay right here where ya're at."

"Yes sir!" Dean said standing straighter with a gleam in his eyes. He turned to Hank and saw the sadness and tears in his eyes. "Hank, thank you for all you've done for me. You've been like a father to me and there's no way I can repay you."

"You just don't get yourself killed, you understand me?" Hank said wanting to hug him but knew Dean didn't like to be touched.

Dean stepped closer and looked at him for a moment, before giving him a hug which Hank accepted willingly, wrapping him in his arms and holding him tight for a moment before letting him go. This small step was a very big one for Dean and Hank knew it. It just made the parting all the more hard, but he drew in a deep breath and put on a happy face.

"I'm gonna miss ya son, you be sure and stop by when you can and you stay in touch, I wanna know how things are going."

"We will." Dean said as he voice cracking slightly before he could stop it as he blinked back the tears.

"Bobby you take care of our boy and train him right." Hank told Bobby shaking his hand firmly a silent communication passing between the older men.

"I'll do my best, might have to knock some sense into his hard head every once and a while." Bobby told him with a nod. "Well don't just stand there, go get in the truck." he ordered in a gruff voice.

"Yes sir." Dean said picking his packs back up and with a final wave to Hank headed out the front door.

"You're gonna owe me for this." he whispered to Hank.

"Be safe out there Bobby." Hank told him ignoring his jab.

"You can count on it."

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Bobby looked over at Dean in the passenger seat and saw he had nodded off. He looked so innocent slumped against the window with his mouth slightly open and a thin line of drool beginning to slip down his chin. He didn't look like the tough, street wise kid Bobby had first seen at the bar. Maybe one day Dean would trust him enough to tell him his story. As far as he knew, no one knew his last name or what was in his past that he didn't want people to know. He knew how experienced Dean was at becoming invisible to the people around him by watching him at the bar. Dean could walk through the place and not a single customer would even notice him. It was like he could turn himself into a ghost and vanish. Bobby checked his location and saw he was near the exit he needed to take to meet Clay at some motel to go over the case he had found. Clay was a newbie hunter and usually worked with someone else, but they had been injured in a hunt and was recuperating. Since Bobby was the closest hunter available, he got the unfortunate pleasure of being his partner for this hunt. It wasn't he didn't want to help, but the newbie hunters could be a pain in the ass.

Dean felt the shift of the truck as it slowed and roused from his sleep quickly wiping the drool from his chin. He glanced over at Bobby to see if he had noticed and saw the older hunter wasn't looking at him. He straightened up and looked around to see where they were. Bobby was pulling into a non-descript motel and drove slowly toward the back of the building looking for a beat up old Ford truck. He spotted it at the end of the parking lot and pulled up beside it. Bobby flipped open his phone and punched in a number waiting for an answer.

"Yeah, I'm here." Bobby growled into the phone. "Room 19, got it." he said hanging up. "Come on kid, let's go meet this ya who."

"Alright." Dean said opening the door to slip out and stand by the truck stretching his young body while looking around. Dean didn't know why this felt so right, but he knew this was what he was meant to do. He didn't know how, but becoming a hunter was going to help him find his brother. He knew Bobby was the person to train him too. He might act like a hard ass, but he knew he was a softy underneath it all. Of course Bobby would deny even the mere mention of that and jack you up if you said anything even remotely related to it. Dean followed Bobby to the room and waited as he knocked on the door.

A/N: So Dean is now on the last path back to his brother. Bobby will be his final guide. Hope you have enjoyed Hank and he will appear again later on in the story. Your response to this story is mind blowing and my deepest thanks to each and every one for your support. If you have a moment, please review.

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