As usual Bobby woke up before the boys and went down stairs to start the day. He had no big plans, no hunt to go on though he could have because there was always something going on out there, a creature running on survival mode and needed either food, a body, or a soul to destroy. There was magic afoot and demons to send back and people to save, always. He decided a few days off certainly wouldn't stop the world from turning. Bobby had kids now and they took priority.

He wanted to spend the time with the boys and maybe take them fishing or rock hunting and for Sam especially, identify and collect plants they could use in incantations, warding or healing among other things.

He got the coffee brewing and made it strong just how Dean liked it. Bobby joked that coffee could peel wallpaper but he liked it that way himself. Bobby took the left over pancakes, diced them up and mixed them with preserves, pecans and an egg and milk mixture and popped it in the oven.

"I don't even have to wake up Dean, the kid gets a sniff of something cooking and he's down here asking about breakfast…"

The mish mash casserole was done and cooling but still no sign of Dean. Bobby knocked on Dean's bedroom door and waited before cracking it open. The bed was made, neat as a pin and there was no sign of the teen.

"Maybe he's out in the salvage yard or beatin' on the heavy bag…how did he get past me?"

…..

Early morning bird calls woke the young hunter up but when he opened his eyes he found himself in the backseat of Baby instead of his bed at home. John was awake and warming up water for instant coffee, his only nod to breakfast. Dean's mind raced as he remembered why he was here in the first place.

"No Sam…no Bobby…"

"Dean, coffee is ready."

He extricated himself for the backseat, slowly like a cat stretching all of its muscles upon awakening. John handed Dean a stale doughnut and a chipped cup containing murky looking coffee. They sat on a log and ate in silence and once John was done he brushed his teeth using water from the canteen then handed it over to his son and Dean followed suit.

"I figure we'll lie low for a few days and then get back on the road. I don't need or want Bobby breathing down my neck. He got a bargain; Sam is easy to take care of."

"How the fuck would you know…I was the one who raised him…"

"Yeah, Sam is an easy going kid."

The alpha locked his umber eyes on his son, "What is Sam now, did he present as anything or is he too young for that yet?"

Dean busied himself with flossing so he didn't have to answer immediately. His instincts told him not to reveal his brother was a budding alpha. It was bad enough Dean was caught between his dad and uncle but dad and Sam would be even worse. A big buck like John could both mentally and physically hurt an innocent twelve year old trying to navigate puberty. Not that Dean thought their dad would really hurt Sam because John reserved that for him but he couldn't take the chance.

"I'm pretty sure Sam is your run of the mill beta, either that or he's gonna be a late bloomer but I don't think so."

"Any signs of a slit or a seam down there?"

"Nah, just all boy stuff."

It hurt his heart when his dad let out a sigh of relief and said, "thank god."

"A beta is fine, in fact I prefer it. They make good foot soldiers."

"Yeah, but none of that matters since Sam is staying with Bobby."

…..

Bobby got out his binoculars to scan the salvage yard for signs of Dean. He searched the outbuildings and the basement before heading back to the omega's room for clues. Dean wouldn't have gone far before he had breakfast; he needed a full tank to start the day. The alpha opened the closet to find his clothes gone except for his dress shoes and chambray shirt Bobby bought him for picture day. The drawers were nearly empty except for a pair of neatly folded dress pants and clothes that no longer fit him. Dean's rifle was gone along anything hunting related; even the bathroom was devoid of any omega type of toiletries.

"Damn it! That son-of-a-bitch….what did you do John…"

Bobby went to the study to start calling every trusted person he knew to get the word out and that's when he noticed the letter.

Bobby,

If you're reading this you already know I took off but don't worry because I'm with Dad. This was my decision and I reached out to Dad first. I knew he was going to come and get us like he always does but this time I made a deal, me for Sam. I can handle Dad better than Sam can.

The kid loves school and learning and he's already got a head full of big dreams and you know me and school, I'm not a fan. I promise I'll get my GED someday when Sam is a little older. If Dad found out Sammy is an alpha I think Dad would try and break him before he even finished presenting.

I promise to contact you asap but I won't tell you where I am so please don't ask. I left a letter and tape for Sam so make sure he reads it. I'll see you both again. Thanks for everything, Uncle Bobby.

Dean

…...

When Sam saw the envelope with his name in Dean's neat handwriting, a feeling of dread came over him. He tore it open and took out the letter.

"Sam,

I left to go hunting with Dad because he needs my help. I know you'll worry about me missing school but don't, I'm taking a break but I plan on getting my GED. You know I've never liked school and I'm better off hunting, life makes sense to me out there.

Please trust me, I know what I'm doing and it's better this way. I love you, Sammy. You and me are forever. I'll contact you as soon as I can. Be good and work hard in school.

Dean

…

Bobby waited at his desk for the sounds of whatever was about to happen after Sam woke up and found his letter. He heard Sam running, doors opening then a loud thump. At first the boy called out for his brother which turned into shouting his name.

Bobby heard something hit the wall and finally Sam taking two stairs at a time. He called out to him, "Sam come here." Sam ignored his uncle and headed outside where he started yelling for his brother all over again. Bobby went after Sam but the boy was too fast. He found Sam in the machine shed next to their bikes and he was trembling and his hands balled into fists.

When Bobby went to touch his shoulder Sam turned and stuck the crumpled letter in his uncle's face, "Did you know he was leaving?!"

The baby alpha's face was flushed and the elder alpha could see the rage building up inside the twelve year old.

"Sam, he left me a letter too, I had no idea. Son, come inside so we can talk over a little breakfast."

"No, I'm not hungry. I have to find Dean."

"Sure, we'll work it all out but we can't if you don't calm down. Remember you said you don't feel like yourself when you get this angry, find the calm Sam because he's who I need right now."

Once Sam was in the kitchen, the boy broke down and ugly cried until he developed a bad case of hiccups. His uncle brought him a cold glass of milk.

"Drink this."

Sam pushed the glass aside, "We have to get Dean back."

"I've still got people out there I can trust. I'll call 'em and put the word out."

"Why can't we look? I want to find him myself, I'll tell Dad to let Dean go and leave us alone. Then we can go back to the way things were."

"You've got school on Tuesday and that's not changing. Sam, Dean might not come back even if we find him, he has his reasons why he left."

"It's not your fault, it's not Dean's fault, it's your dad's fault and your brother made a huge sacrifice to protect you…."

Bobby had to lie, tamp down his own rage enough to look and act calm in front of Sam and prepare the kid just in case Dean wouldn't come back home.

"I guess Dad really doesn't want me, I guess because I'm not a good hunter. Sometimes I catch Dad staring at me really hard and I bet he's thinking bad things. Dean won't have to worry about me now…I get it."

The boy slumped in the chair looking utterly defeated. He knew he was different from his dad and even his brother. His dad really didn't need him and though Sam didn't like hunting or being on the road, it still hurt to be rejected.

"Let me tell you some truths so sit up and listen. You know your dad has problems," Bobby tapped his forehead, "ones that only he can fix and his problems have nothing to do with you or your brother. You are a damn good hunter and I'd have you at my side any day. Dean did this because he felt it was the right thing to do but that doesn't mean we're going to abandon him. Do you understand?"

"Yes Sir."

"Sam, would you really want to be out there on the road again?"

"No, I don't. I like school and having a real home and a family but Dean's my family too and he needs to come back so we're all together." Sam's face clouded over and his voice dropped lower, "Dad deserves to hurt the way he hurts Dean."

….

December 17th 1995

Bobby had his trusted network of hunters keeping an eye out for the Impala or sightings of John or Dean Winchester but so far father and son managed to avoid detection. They were always a step ahead and even though it was rumored the pair was out there actively hunting, there were no solid leads.

Bobby still wasn't sure what would happen if someone actually found them. Dean's letter was clear, he did this to protect Sam so he worried Dean might not come home at all.

The others were on notice not to approach Dean in front of John because the alpha knew them all through Bobby. They were to give the teen the message that he could leave with them or contact Bobby to get him immediately. If Dean refused then Bobby was back at square one.

…..

Sam went to school each day and his grades were beyond excellent. The lonely young alpha found homework and extra credit projects filled the empty hours without his brother and school was his escape. Several months without any word had him wondering if Dean was in real trouble and wasn't able to make contact.

Every once in a while someone would report a sighting though none of panned out. Those messages gave Sam some hope that his brother might still be ok.

Sam took over Dean's bed and so far hadn't changed the sheets even though Bobby kept telling him to do it. The bedding was a treasure of lingering scents that were all Dean, spots of dried slick, semen, sweat and a reddish stain from his most recent heat but they were fading now, replaced by Sam's musky smell of an alpha slowly coming into his own.

…..

Smokey's Restaurant

Driven indoors because of the weather, John and Dean got a room before the first snowstorm of the season. The hot showers and lumpy beds were more than welcome after endless nights sleeping in the car or breaking into cabins and nearly freezing to death.

They ended up in the now quiet tourist town of Snow Wassit because of creature sightings and several people had come up missing. John believed they were dealing with an Ijiraq. Dean wasn't sure what that was yet but a job like this meant real food and warmth so it didn't matter what kind of winter monster they were dealing with, he could handle it.

The restaurant John picked was covered in Christmas lights right along with most of the businesses on Main Street. Inside they were greeted by a pleasant woman and seated by the window. It didn't matter how old he got, Dean and Christmas time were good friends. No matter how shitty things got while growing up, Dean could count on the sights, sounds and scents of Christmas to cheer him up.

Since Sam was born, Dean hadn't spent a single Christmas without him. The thought of not being with his brother this year was eating the teenager up inside.

Dean Had kept his promise, no contacting Sam or Bobby until his dad said so but he didn't know if he could wait any longer.

They both ordered the holiday special, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn and rolls. John ordered them both a beer even though the waitress knew damn well the angel faced teenager wasn't legal. The alpha said that Dean was his omega and who was she to question ownership. Laws were sketchy on omegas depending on what state you were in.

John hitched his thumb toward the back and said he needed to drain the snake. As soon as his dad was out of sight Dean had his chance to call home.

TBC