Disclaimer: Supernatural and all its characters belong to Kripke and the CW. I own nothing.
Previously on Supernatural-"It was Officer Lloyd sir." Arbuckle replied.
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John sat on the edge of the tub as he bathed an unusually compliant Sammy. The familiar routine took him back to a time when bathing the boys was his favorite part of the day. Memories of a much younger Dean and Sammy with bubble bath beards laughing and splashing washed over John. Next came the rubber duck and boat races that had the boys squealing with delight followed closely by the nightly hair washing battle. Somehow he always managed to get the job done even though in the end more water was on the floor than left in the tub.
Dean quietly walked into the bathroom. Setting Sammy's clothes on the toilet seat, he stepped up to his dad's side and asked, "Need any help dad?"
John glanced up at his eldest and sadly smiled. "That's okay, Dean. I've got things under control. Why don't you go see what we have in the fridge that's still edible."
"Sure dad." Dean replied heading to the door. Stopping in the doorway, he added, "Don't worry dad. Sammy's gonna be okay. He just needs some more time."
John stared at the now empty doorway stunned. Once again his eldest had known exactly what to say. When had Dean become the grown up? Shouldn't he be the one comforting Dean and not the other way around? Shaking his head John decided to leave those questions for a day when things weren't so crazy. Grabbing a towel he turned back to his youngest. "C'mon buddy. Let's get you outta there." He lovingly whispered as he gently picked Sammy up.
At the station
"I don't believe it!" Logue exclaimed slamming his hands on the desk. Jumping out of his chair he walked to the window muttering under his breath.
"What's wrong, sir?" Keaton warily asked. "Did something happen?"
"It's more like what didn't happen." Investigator Logue corrected as he stared out the window. "Bonnie and her family are gone. Left in a hurry from the look of things."
"Gone?" Arbuckle questioned. "But why would they…Wait! You think Lloyd scared them off!?"
"Somebody sure did." Logue replied as he headed over to his desk. "But if they think that's going to stop this investigation, they are sadly mistaken. Bonnie may be out of the picture but she's not the only witness we have." Picking up his keys Logue marched to the door.
"Where are you going sir?" Keaton asked. "The Winchester boy still isn't able to talk about what he saw."
"I'm going to the only person who knew Amy better than her friends. I'm going to talk to Joey." Logue called over his shoulder before shutting the door.
At the Winchesters
John finished toweling Sammy dry and began the task of dressing his little boy. Placing Sammy on the closed toilet seat, he quickly put on his son's underwear, jeans, and socks. Wrangling Sammy's arms into the shirt sleeves proved a little more difficult but he finally managed to get both arms through the correct sleeves. But as he began buttoning up the shirt he almost lost it. He couldn't remember the last time he had dressed his baby boy.
Sammy had been fiercely independent from a very young age, always wanting to do things himself. "Me do!" seemed to be some of the first words baby Sammy learned to say right after his first word of dada. Okay, so technically Sammy hadn't exactly said dada but it did start with a "d" and he was looking at John when he said it so it counted no matter what Bobby Singer said. Feeling a hand on his shoulder John gazed up locking eyes with Dean.
"I got the buttons, dad. Why don't you go get Sammy's comb? You know how much he hates it when his hair gets all tangled up." Dean offered.
"Thanks Dean." John choked out. Standing he swiftly walked out of the room and to the bathroom. Leaning against the sink he buried his face in his hands. "What am I gonna do?" he thought. He briefly considered calling and talking to the counselor but rejected that idea recalling her final words to him. There was no way anyone was taking Sammy away from him and Dean. He would just have to reach Sammy himself. Decision made he took a couple of minutes to get his composure together and then headed back to his boys.
The Winchesters' friends looked up as John carried a now clingy Sammy into the living room and sat in the nearest chair. Swiping a comb through his son's unruly mop, he glanced at his friends. "Did I hear the phone ring a few minutes ago?" he asked the men.
"Yeah, that was Josh." Bobby replied. "He's at Shoney's with Nurse Pickford. They thought we might like to join them for supper. I told him what happened with Sammy and that I'd have to ask you first."
"We don't have to go John." Pastor Jim said. "But it might be good for Sammy to get out of the house for awhile."
"I don't know." John responded. Gazing at Sammy he smiled and asked, "What do you think, champ? Wanna go out to eat?" His smile fell as his little boy continued to silently stare down at his hands. Heaving a sigh John ran a hand across his face before nodding his head and carefully standing. "Jim call Shoney's and tell Josh we'll be there in twenty minutes. I just need to dry this mop Sammy calls hair first." John ordered.
"You got it, John." Jim replied snatching up the phone.
"Caleb, I'm gonna need to borrow you hair dryer." John stated as he headed for the back of the house.
"You have a hair dryer!?" Dean snickered.
"Always took you for a girl Reeves" Bobby managed to get out between chuckles.
Caleb glared at both hunters. "Oh, shut up." he snapped before following John down the hall.
At the Brooks
Investigator Logue let out a relieved breath as he pulled into the Brooks driveway. "At least he hasn't gotten to them yet." He thought as he stepped out of his car and walked up to the front door. He had just gotten to the door when it opened and a young woman stepped out.
"If you're here to talk to me, you can save your breath. I already told that creep Lloyd that he could talk to my lawyer." Maria angrily informed the officer.
Raising his hands in surrender Logue smiled and stood his ground. "Officer Lloyd didn't send me ma'am; the governor did." He told her. "I'm Special Investigator Logue and I'd like a word with Joey if that's alright."
Dropping her defensive stance Maria gave the man a slight smile. "Oh sorry sir. Come right in." she said leading the officer into the living room. "Have a seat. I'll get Mr. Brooks for you."
Investigator Logue took a seat on the couch as he gave the room a cursory glance. A collection of photos above the mantle caught his eyes. Walking over he noticed that the pictures were all of Mr. Brooks and various influential people. "No wonder the governor sent me here so quickly." He thought as he gazed at one particular photo. "Mr. Brooks is extremely well connected."
"Special Investigator Logue! It's a pleasure to meet you." Mr. Brooks cooed extending his hand. "I'm Alfred Brooks, of Brooks Electronics."
Investigator Logue hesitantly shook the offered hand before sitting down on the couch once more. "Mr. Brooks, I won't beat around the bush with you. Enough time's been wasted already. I'm here to talk with your son, Joey. I think he might have some pertinent information."
"Joey?" Mr. Brooks objected. "But he wasn't even here when they were killed."
"I'm aware of that, sir. But I still think he might be able to help." Logue told the surprised man. "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."
Mr. Brooks sat fiddling with his tie as he contemplated the officer's request. Tenderly touching a Christmas photograph of his family he ghosted a finger across his daughter's face. Mr. Brooks took a final glance at his once happy family before turning tear filled eyes on the officer. "I'll have Maria bring Joey down. Just promise you'll be careful with him. He's all I have left in this world."
At Shoney's
John pulled into the nearest parking spot and cut the engine. Peering at his boys in the rearview mirror, he gave them what he hoped was an encouraging smile and then stepped out of the car. Opening the back door he reached in, scooped Sammy into his arms, and quietly shut the door. Placing his free arm on Dean's shoulder, he followed the other hunters across the parking lot and into the restaurant. Feeling Sammy tense at all the noise John began rubbing circles in his son's back. Reaching the booth he quickly sat with his back to the crowded room and set Sammy down next to him.
Dean slid in beside his little brother and smiled. "Did you see all those pies, Sammy!?" he excitedly asked. "There were two shelves full! How about we eat dessert first, huh? Would you like that, Sammy?"
Grinning at Dean's enthusiasm John rolled his eyes. "You know the rules, Dean. Supper first. Then you can have pie."
Joshua waved the waitress over. Seeing the booth full the older woman sauntered over smiling at the thought of the big tip to come. The smile slid from her face as she took in the tense, worried faces of the men in the group. Pulling out her pad she timidly grinned and began her greeting. "My name's Lulu and I'll be your waitress tonight." She greeted as she passed out menus. "What can I get you fellas to drink?" After writing down all the orders, she stuck her pad in her apron pocket. "I'll just give y'all some time to look over the menu. Be right back with your drinks." She said before hastily leaving the booth.
Dean set the menu between himself and Sammy. Opening it to the kids' section he said, "Okay, little brother let's see. They have chicken strips, cheeseburgers, or grilled cheese sandwiches. You want the chicken again or are you gonna try something different for a change?" Dean waited several minutes before trying again. "It's okay if you don't want to talk yet, kiddo. You can just point to what you want. Please Sammy."
Everyone watched as Sammy's hand slowly made its way to the menu and ghosted across stopping on the picture of the grilled cheese.
"Grilled cheese it is!" Dean crowed grinning from ear to ear. Patting Sammy on the back he whispered, "You did good little brother."