Thank you Blondie 50000 for your feedback. Yup Gemma has fallen for all of Team Free Will and John does finally realize what he how he really feels about Gemma.

Author's note at the end of this chapter. I hope people enjoy!

Thanks

Val

Chapter 21

They were all sitting in the living room, waiting to hear the Impala engine…for John and Bobby to come through the door.

Dean pulled at the collar of his shirt. "Gemma, I look like a dork." He whined as they waited for the men to return. Gemma had bought each boy a number of shirts, jeans, a pair of dress pants, sneakers and a pair of shoes while that were at Walmart to pick up their bathing suits, claiming their father had asked her to do their school shopping. Of course she couldn't leave Jo out and she was currently wearing one of the new dresses she had bought her.

Dean knew that was complete bull, but he couldn't say no when he saw how excited Sammy was at the idea of having actual new clothes and not his brother's hammy downs. Gemma insisted they wear one of their new shirts and dress pants today.

"I think you look very handsome," Gemma said as she smooth the older boy's hair.

"I think you look handsome too," Jo added as she played with the hem of her new dress. Dean grinned at the blonde girl.

Gemma snickered when she saw Sammy begin to pretend gag behind Dean's back. She shook her head but looked up when suddenly they heard the loud rumble of the Chevrolet Impala pulling up in front of the house and the three children ran for the front door and stood on the porch.

"BOYS, GENTLE!" She shouted over the engine as she saw that they looked like they were going to run down the stair and pounce on their father before he got out of the car.

Dean shot a glance at Gemma and quickly put a hand on Sammy's shoulder. "Let's give him a minute Sammy." The younger Winchester nodded his head and they watched as Bobby got out from behind the wheel of the car.

"Uncle Bobby," Jo cried happily as she practically flew down the stairs and ran into her uncle's arms.

"Oh Sweetheart, I missed you!" The older hunter said as he hugged her close and kissed her cheek before putting her down. "Let me help your Uncle John."

Dean and Sam where standing by the car bouncing in place as the car door swung open and they watched as a familiar hand braces itself on top of the door.

"Hold up John," Bobby said as he rushed around to help the younger hunter. The boys and Jo hover by the car waiting to hug the elder Winchester as Gemma walked up behind them and placed a reassuring hand on each boy's shoulder.

The all watched as John gingerly extracted himself from the car and leaned on the open door. Gemma swallowed as she took in the man before them. A thirty-pound rapid weight lost had hit the man hard. John's clothes were hanging off of him, his cheeks were sunken, and she could see he was visually shaking while standing up.

Gemma didn't need anyone to tell her that John lost muscle mass thanks to his time in that pit and that on top of the breathing exercises for his lungs he was going to need to build his strength up again. She fought the urge to go to him, the boys needed to be with their father now more than ever.

"Boy," John said as he gave them a smile.

Both boys stared at their father, frozen in place. Gemma had tried to warn them, but they were too young to truly understand. She gently squeezed Dean's shoulder, prompting him to go to his father. "Go on Buddy," she urged him.

The older child tentatively made his way over to his father. He looked up at the big man, eyes brimming with tears. "Dad," he whispered as John reached out and pulled him close, trying to avoid the ribs that were cracked.

John rubbed his hand along Dean's back and looked up to see his youngest turn and bury his face in Gemma stomach as his shoulders shook with each sob. He watched as she lifted Sammy up into her arms, trying to console him. He turned slightly and saw that Jo was shying away from him too and had gone to Bobby.

"Hey Dean, how about you grab my stuff and we go inside." He suggested. Gemma gave him a reassuring smile as she turned and headed back towards the house.

"Okay Dad," Dean said as he went and pulled his father's duffel bags out of the back seat and followed him inside.

"Let's go in the kitchen Ace," John said as he directed his oldest away from Gemma and Sammy.

SPNSPNSPN

"Sammy, talk to me." Gemma urged the upset child as she sat on the couch, cradling the boy.

"Daddy's dying," he whimpered.

"Honey no," Gemma told him as she rubbed his back. "Your father is going to be fine. He just needs to eat properly to help put the weight back on that he lost and exercise to build up his strength. It will take some time, but he'll be as good as new…promise."

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Positive," she told him. "Now I'll tell you what would be the best medicine that your Dad could get right now. A hug from you." She said as she tickled his sides.

Sammy giggled as he slipped off of Gemma's lap. "Okay," he said as he held his hand for her as they walked into the kitchen together.

Gemma let go of his hand and smiled as the little boy hurried over to his father. "Hi Daddy," the youngest Winchester said as he wrapped his arms around his father's neck and hugged him.

"Hey Sammy," John said as he kissed the top of his son's head. He looked up and nodded thank you to Gemma. "Boy you look like you grew two inches…you and your brother. Let me look at you both."

Dean grinned as he stood next to his brother in front of his Dad. He had grown almost two inches since his Dad left. Him and Sammy stood tall and proud for inspection.

John frowned slightly as he looked at both boys. "Those new duds?"

"Don't you remember Daddy?" Sammy said.

"Yean Dad, don't you remember asking Gemma to buy us some new school clothes." Dean said as he jerked his head towards Sam to encourage him to play along.

"Right, I forgot." John said as he looked up at Gemma.

Bobby looked between his friend and Gemma before clearing his throat. "Okay you three, Caleb will be here in a little bit. Why don't you go and put on your play clothes before they get here."

The children didn't need any further encouragement as they ran upstairs to change. The three adults winced at the sound of doors slamming overhead. "I've got some things to get caught up on." The older hunter said as he stood up to headed into the other room leaving the two alone.

He stopped in front of Gemma and smiled. "Thank you for everything Gemma. I wasn't sure how everything was going to work out but one look at their faces told me I made the right decision."

"I should thank you, they're amazing kids." She told the older man as she reached up and gave him a hug.

John tried not to laugh when he saw his friend blush as he cleared his throat before leaving them alone.

"So I asked you to buy them clothes," he teased as Gemma sat at the table.

"Dean really did outgrew his pants." She told him.

John nodded his head, "that boy is growing like a weed."

Gemma smiled as she looked down at her hands. She gazed up when John placed his hand over her.

She slipped out of her chair and stood beside John, staring into his eyes before she gave into her inner desire and leaned down and kissed him.

John reached up and cup the back of her neck, deepening the kiss. They finally pulled apart when oxygen became a concern. "Now that's what I call a proper welcome home."

Gemma sighed as she took a stepped back. "I glad you're alright."

"Gemma…" John said tentatively, he wasn't a man who talked about his feelings.

"Don't John," she said as she cut him off. "I understand now why you didn't want me to get to know the boys."

John tried to give her a reassuring smile. "I don't think anybody could have planned for what happened."

"No they couldn't," she agreed before adding. "Doesn't make this any easier."

"Make what easier?" He asked in confusion.

Gemma swallow the lump in her throat before saying. "Saying goodbye."

"What?"

"I can't do it John…I thought I could handle this friends with benefits set up, but I can't. I can't do it…I'm just so sorry that the boys are going to be hurt."

"Gemma…"

"Don't…it's fine." She said as she stood up. "You don't owe me anything. You were up front from the beginning; you weren't looking for a relationship…to fall in lo…well you know."

John opened his mouth to argue but closed it when the kids all came barreling into the room. "Come on, we can play hide and seek until Caleb gets here." Dean said to the younger children as they ran past John and Gemma out the back door.

Gemma gave John a sad smile as she stood up. "I should get going. I did a full grocery run and there's a piece of paper on the door of the fridge with instructions for heating up a few casseroles I prepped for you last night. All high in protein and lean fat. Should help you put some of the weight back on."

"Gemma, can't we talk about this?" He said as he stood up and clutched the table to help support him.

She shook her head, "I don't think there is anything left to say. I'm going to say goodbye to the kids and then leave. Prolonging this will just make it worst." Gemma said as grabbed her purse from counter. "Goodbye John," she whispered as she hurried out the back door.

John watched as Gemma walked out and cursed himself and his injuries when he took a few steps and had to stop to catch his breath. How the Hell was he ever going to stop her if he couldn't walk more than two or three steps without stopping to catch his damn breath.

SPNSPNSPN

Gemma sighed as the three children were in the middle of one potato, two potato to determine who was going to be it for their game of hide and seek. "Hey guys, I need to talk to you three."

"Okay," they all chirped as the turned and looked up at her.

"So now that your Dad and Uncle Bobby are back it's time for me to head home." She told them.

"When will you be back?" Jo asked as she wrapped her arms around Gemma's middle and hugged her.

Gemma smiled as she hugged the little girl. "Baby, I don't know. I have to go home, and I have to go to work…I hav to take care of the animals."

She watched as Dean shook his head as he looked up at her. She didn't need to say it, the older boy knew this was goodbye. Gemma cocked her head slightly as she took a deep breath to get herself under control. "Come on you two, bring it in…group hug."

The boys quickly joined them, and she gave each a kiss on their foreheads, while telling each that she loved them. Sniffling she pulled back and gave them a watery smile. "You behave, okay."

"We will," Dean told her.

"Right," she said as she started to turn and head towards her car. She stopped when she saw a car barreling towards them. Tires screaming when the driver slammed on the brakes. She stood and watched as a woman climb out of the other car.

"What the…you need to slow down lady. There are children here." Gemma said angrily.

The other woman glared at Gemma and the children. "Yes and I see my little bitch right there."

Gemma put a protective arm around Jo as she heard the little girl gasped. "Mama?"

TBC

A/N - Hehe sorry for the cliffhanger. I hated writing Ellen as a baddie but I had to bring her into the story.