Disclaimer: Don't own any Winchesters or X5s

Alone or Clone?

Chapter 6: Smart Aleck

"Whoa, Bobby!" It's just me," Dean stood on the other side of the front door after Bobby opened it. The younger hunter held up his hands in surrender with a cock sure smile gracing his lips. Bobby was slow to lower his shotgun, scowling at the cocky son of a bitch that he loved like a son. Which made his behavior and attitude that much worse.

"Where have you been?" The younger man had left in the middle of the night with only a note to explain he was alright and would be back soon. Not where he was going or what he was planning to do. He'd left his boy scared and confused. It was such a John move that Bobby thought he had time traveled two decades into the past.

"I went out," Dean crossed his arms over his chest, glaring back at the older man.

"What in the hell were you thinking boy!? Ben went all good soldier when he wasn't planning a rescue mission for your dumb ass. Didn't you learn anything growing up the way you did? Why would you pull the same damn stunt as your Daddy? Balls!" Bobby ranted. When he stopped to catch a breath he finally really looked at Dean.

The younger hunter was beaten to hell, leaning heavily against the doorframe. His face was pale and shocky looking. His green eyes were wide and glassy. Fine tremors were not hidden beneath his father's large leather jacket.

"Don't get mad at me." Dean begged, "Don't you do that to me. Not you too."

"Damnit Dean," Bobby felt the anger drain out of him as quickly as it had come. He reached for the injured man. Holding him up before he could collapse in a heap on his doorstep.

Dean leaned heavily against him for a moment, "I had to." Gathering his strength he led Bobby into the yard back to the Impala. A small form lay curled up in the passenger seat. Dean struggled to bend over and grab the boy but refused Bobby's assistance.

"Why did you have to do it alone?"

"You know why," He left Ben in Bobby's care in case the worst happened, "I needed to save him."

"I know kid," Bobby understood the reasoning, but it didn't mean he had to like it. Dean had always been the sacrificial lamb in his family since he was younger than the twins. Always so ready to step in place to spare another but never realized what would happen to his family without him there. He watched his son in all but blood struggle to carry his own son into the house. "But we need you too."

"Hang in there buddy, hang in there," Dean held the small trembling body close. Ignoring his aches and pains he put one foot after the other. Humming Metallica, he swayed slightly in a way he hadn't done since Sammy was very young.

"Please! I didn't do it," The boy begged, weakly fighting his hold.

"You didn't do anything wrong," Dean consoled, "You are golden."

"493 is a traitor," The kid promised some unseen entity, "I won't, I won't, I won't."

"You'll both be okay," The hunter promised as he laid his precious cargo down on the couch. Carefully covering him with a blanket he sank into the cushion next to him. He intended to keep watch throughout the night. Maybe keep some nightmares at bay.

"Yes, Sir," The boy panted in pain, trying to appease the monsters in his mind, "No, Sir."

"Everything is alright," Dean felt his head fall back against the couch as he kept his hand settled on the little head.

"Dad?" He opened his eyes to find Ben standing just out of reach.

"Ben," Dean gave a tired smile and held out his other hand.

The little boy kept his face emotionless but his eyes betrayed him. His pain, anger, relief, and love flashed in the green orbs. Hesitating in coming closer, taking in the appearance of his new little brother.

"Why did you leave me," He couldn't keep his anger from his voice.

"I'm sorry," Dean slurred, clenching his empty hand against the pain. He felt his heavy lids fall shut. "It's what I do. I let down the people I love."

Ben studied his dad, taking in the pale skin and strong scent of iron in the air.

"Dad!" Ben rushed to his side, clutching his cold hand. The man's head just lolled against the couch as he lost his battle to stay conscious, "Dad?"

When shaking him roughly to revive him failed, small hands searched under the layers for the source of the bleeding. Finding a bullet wound in the lower abdomen that was hastily bandaged but leaking life-saving liquid. "Uncle Bobby!"

"Stupid bastard," The older hunter muttered as he took over staunching the blood flow. Ripping off each layer he took in each new hurt. The old ones, scars forever etched into flesh, he ignored. The young eyes watching memorized each one.

It took some time but between Bobby and Ben, they got the two patients patched up and resting comfortably on opposite ends of the couch. It was easier to leave them where they were and they seemed to rest easier in each other's company.

Dean found his eyes open, at least he thought they were. He didn't remember opening them and he was surrounded by darkness.

"You fainted like a little bitch," A soft voice commented in the quiet.

"Shut up jerk," Dean slurred before he passed out again.

When Dean woke again there was weak sunlight coming in from the dusty windows. He laid still to not aggregate his new hurts. He could hear Bobby cursing in the kitchen. He was safe. They were safe he amended in his mind as he took in his couch mate. The little boy looked to be finally resting easier. The distance from the sick bastards with lasers seemed to have done him some good. Dean was a little worse for wear, but it was all worth it.

He felt eyes watching him. Turning his head took more energy than he'd like to admit but it brought him face to face with his other boy. Serious green eyes bored into him. Ben sat silently on the floor by his head.

"I'm sorry," Ben finally broke eye contact.

"Me too," Dean reached for him, swallowing down a groan at the movement. His hand was met halfway. He fell back against the lumpy couch cushions gripping the deceptively strong little hand inside his own. They sat in a comfortable silence. Each would sneak a glance at the new member of their little family.

"Seems little brother here is a bit of a smart as...aleck," Dean told Ben. The quip against his performance while suffering from blood loss he thought at first was a dream of another boy telling him that years ago, could have been no other than the boy he almost died to save.

"I know the word ass. I was raised in a secret military lab, not under a rock." The boy mumbled weakly from the other side of the couch.

"Keep that up and your new name will be Dick," Dean grumbled halfheartedly. He tried to get up but was pushed back by strong little hands with a warning look. Ben sprang up to check on his finally coherent patient.

"I get a name?" 494 tried to keep hope from entering his tired voice.

"Sure, I'd get thrown in jail if anyone heard me calling you a number." Dean choked down his emotions, just having a name was something to hope for. He carefully studied his new charge now that he was finally awake.

Moving slowly to not startle the frozen, wide-eyed boy; Ben worked with practice ease. The younger boy watched his careful ministrations with suspicion. They'd both learned early in life that anything that was supposed to help them brought pain; more often than not it was excruciating. Ben was gentle with his new little brother.

"493," At the croak, Ben placed a glass of water into the shaky hands.

"Ben," the older boy corrected as he watched his newfound brother sniff at the water suspiciously. Deeming it safe, the younger boy gulped it down as if he'd never get another sip if he stopped. As soon as he emptied the glass his eyelids grew heavy. He forced his eyes open wider when he felt a weight shift on the couch.

"Night, Alec," Dean whispered, rubbing the shorn head softly as the boy lost the battle to keep his eyes open.

"Everything will be better when you wake up," Dean promised, allowing Ben to help him lay back down. He closed his eyes losing the battle to stay awake as well.