Chapter 13

As the days of summer passed, Bobby had Dean working on building his strength and stamina, putting him through exercise routines and seeing just how far he could push him. Dean never once complained or gave any indication of wanting to quit because something was too tough. He met each challenge head on and worked hard on it until it was mastered. Bobby had never seen anyone as determined as Dean was to excel and do more than what was asked of him. He continued to read the books Bobby gave him and had started learning Latin so he could read the exorcism spell, other spells, and rituals.

Bobby had talked with Joe and Maggie Baker, about keeping Dean when he went on hunts, explaining Dean's circumstances and was pleased that they agreed to do it. They didn't have any kids of their own and were happy to take care of Dean. Bobby took Dean by to meet them, so they could get acquainted, since he didn't know when the next hunt or call would come in from another hunter wanting him to help on a hunt. Dean was a little shy, but polite and seemed to like the older couple. Bobby wondered if they reminded him of his adopted parents.

Bobby and Dean went by the school and filled out all the necessary paperwork for Dean to start in the fall. The staff seemed to accept Bobby's story about Dean and didn't question it. They did have Dean come back to do some testing to be sure he could handle the grade he was going into since he was ahead of other kids his age. Dean thought it was a waste of time but didn't want to cause any problems and did what was asked of him. He scored in the upper five percent on the tests and was placed in seventh grade.

Dean asked Bobby if he could continue his martial arts training and Bobby looked for a place for him to train in town. He figured the boy deserved it after all he had been through. He also got him a library card and took him once a week to the public library to check out books and practice doing research.

Dean had a growth spurt during the summer and shot up several more inches and added muscle to his lean body. He learned a lot over the summer months and was starting to feel at home at the salvage yard. Bobby was seeing something special in Dean and had a feeling he was going to make a damn good hunter. No matter what he threw at Dean, he did his best to accomplish it.

A few weeks before school started, Bobby got a call from another hunter that needed backup on a hunt and Dean packed a bag and went to stay with Joe and Maggie. He was a little unsure about the arrangement at first, but the older couple made him feel at home and Joe regaled him with stories of hunts he had gone on and helped Dean with his training. He showed him a few tricks he had learned during his years of hunting and Dean relaxed and felt at ease with them. He still worried about Bobby and anxiously awaited his return. He realized how dangerous it was to be a hunter and how easily one could be hurt or killed. Dean was accepting Bobby as a role model and was starting to let his walls down with him.

spn

Dean was sitting on the front porch of Joe and Maggie's home, waiting for Bobby to get there. He had called Joe the previous night that the hunt was over, and he would be coming by to pick Dean up this morning. Dean had packed as soon as he woke up, gobbled down a quick breakfast, and was waiting, watching the road for Bobby.

"He should be here anytime Dean," Joe spoke to him as he opened the screen door and stepped out.

"Yes sir," Dean replied but didn't take his eyes off the road.

"We enjoyed having you stay with us, and I hope you'll come back to see us, even when Bobby is not hunting."

"I will. You have taught me a lot and I appreciate it."

"You are welcome young man," Joe said. He looked down the road and saw Bobby's truck heading their way. "I think your ride is here."

Dean stood up and smiled before grabbing his pack and stepping down the steps to wait for Bobby to pull in. He bounced from foot to foot as his eyes lit up when Bobby parked and got out of the truck. He could see the older man was okay and hadn't been injured on the hunt and he sighed with relief.

"Hello Dean. Did you have a nice visit?" Bobby asked him. "Did you behave yourself?"

"Yes sir. And Joe helped me with my training and told me stories about hunts he went on."

"He was well behaved," Joe said. "Did your hunt go okay?"

"Yeah, wasn't too bad. We killed the monster and saved some lives. Are you ready to go home son?"

"Yes sir," Dean rushed starting to head to the truck but stopped. "Thank you, Joe for letting me stay with you and thank Maggie." He turned back and got into the cab of the truck to wait of Bobby.

"He has been out here waiting for nearly two hours for you to get here," Joe commented looking at Dean.

"That boy…He wiser than his tender years and I think he's going to make a good hunter."

"I agree. He's got the best teacher out there; you train him well Bobby Singer."

"I will do my best," Bobby mumbled. "Well, thanks again Joe. I better get out there 'fore he drives himself home."

"Goodbye Bobby. Bring Dean by anytime, even if you're not out hunting. We enjoyed his company."

"I'll do that. Give Maggie my best." Bobby headed back to the truck and got in cranking it to head home. He looked over at Dean as he gazed out the window at the scenery noticing how much he had changed since he first came to live with him. He guessed Dean had gotten used to being with him and wasn't as leery or unsure of his future now. "Are you excited about starting school next week?"

Dean looked over at Bobby for a moment before answering.

"I guess," Dean shrugged. He was still going to be the new kid again and was wary of that. They were always the ones who got picked on or teased or bullied.

"I'm sure you'll do just fine."

"Can I make burgers tonight for dinner?" Dean asked. He had taken to cooking most of the time, using the skills he learned from his adopted mother, Beverly, and it made him feel more at home with Bobby. He also felt he was contributing something.

"Don't see why not. You do have a way with burgers." Bobby knew Dean used cooking as a way of relaxing and finding his place with him. Plus, he was a good cook, and he enjoyed the meals Dean made.

spn

Dean was awake early Thursday morning, the first day of school. He lay there listening to the creaking and shifting of the house that he had become familiar with, and it comforted him. It was like the old house was talking to him and letting him know he was safe; he was home. Deciding he wasn't getting any more sleep, Dean got up and got his clothes before heading to the bathroom for a shower.

Bobby looked up as Dean made his way into the kitchen, his hair still damp from his shower. He saw a look of uneasiness on his face and knew it must be hard on the boy, having to start in a new school and not knowing anyone.

"Mornin' Dean. So, what'll it be for breakfast?" Bobby asked him as he laid the paper aside.

"I'll fix me a bowl of oatmeal," Dean told him going to the cabinet to get down a box of instant oatmeal. "That'll be easy and less bother."

"Dean, you should know by now you are no bother to me," Bobby chastised him. "I just want you to have a healthy meal before heading to school."

"I'll eat a yogurt too," Dean said. He mixed the water into the oatmeal he had poured into a bowl and put it in the microwave to heat. While that was cooking, he got a yogurt and the milk out of the fridge and sat them on the table.

"You still want to take your lunch?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I'll get started on that while you eat," Bobby grunted pushing himself up from his chair. He got the bread to make him a sandwich and was going to add a little bag of chips, raw carrots, and granola bar. "I'll give you some money to buy milk or bottled water, so you don't have to carry a drink."

"That's fine," Dean acknowledged as he carefully got his oatmeal from the microwave. He poured a little milk on it to cool it so he could eat it without burning his mouth. He ate slowly knowing they had plenty of time to get to school before it started. He was glad Bobby was going to take him these two days and pick him up. After that, Bobby was going to drop him off at the school bus stop a mile from the salvage yard and he would ride the bus.

"You've got my phone number and the school has my number if anything was to happen. I know you're a little apprehensive, this being a new school and not knowing anyone, but I think you'll do fine."

"Thanks Bobby. I'll do my best. I won't let you down."

"I know you will son. You're an overachiever in anything you do. Now finish up and go brush your teeth."

"Okay," Dean replied opening his yogurt and eating it. Once he was done, he headed upstairs to brush his teeth and get his bookbag. Bobby had gotten a list of supplies Dean would need and let him pick out a bookbag and lunch bag for school. He had packed the bag the night before to have it ready. Dean headed back downstairs and sat his bag on the couch before continuing to the kitchen to get the lunch Bobby had prepared.

"Guess we can go Dean. Do you know where your homeroom is?"

"Yes, I memorized the map of the school so I could get around there."

"Of course, you did. That's good. I'm sure you'll have a good day and will make some friends."

They headed out to Bobby's truck and Dean climbed in on the passenger side to settle as Bobby cranked it and pulled down the driveway. He was quiet all the way to school and watched the other kids milling around talking as they waited in line for drop off.

"I'll be here to pick you up this afternoon. You have a good day."

"Okay," Dean responded as he got out and shouldered his backpack and quickly glanced around before heading for the front doors. He glanced around for a moment to get his bearings before heading down the long hall to the south side of the school and his homeroom.

"Hello there," a young woman greeted him at the door. "You must be Dean."

"Yes ma'am," Dean said looking up into her kind face.

"It's nice to meet you. Why don't you go on in and find your seat? Your name is on a desk."

"Okay." Dean stepped into the large classroom and saw the rows of desk and other kids already there. He saw the names on each desk and quickly scanned them looking for his. Dean saw it over next to the windows, a desk back from the front, and made his way to it to take a seat. He looked around the room seeing maps, posters, stacks of books on a table, and other learning aids.

It was ten minutes before a bell rang loudly in the hall to alert students, they had five minutes to get to their homerooms to start the school day. Dean watched other students filing into the classroom and looking around for their seats. Some glanced his way but didn't really pay him any mind. When the bell rang again, the teacher came inside and closed the door. She went to her desk and picked up the roll book to check off their names.

"Good morning class and welcome back to another school year. I am Ms. Rose, your homeroom teacher and English teacher," she told them, frowning as two kids hurried in late. They quickly found their seats and she continued. "I expect everyone to be on time from now on. I want to introduce you to two new students, Dean Winchester and Molly West, they will be joining us this year. Dean and Molly, why don't you stand up?"

Dean hated the attention but did as he was asked and stood for a moment, looking in front of him at a brown-haired girl who also stood, before sitting back down. The other students looked at them with curiosity, some whispering to others for a moment before the teacher continued.

"We have fifteen more minutes before class will begin, so I will hand out your locker numbers and combinations. Your lockers are right outside the classroom so they will be easy to access. As I call your name, please come to the front." She started alphabetically and went down the list of students, calling each to the front and gave them an index card with the information on it. Dean's name was the last name she called, and he went to the front and got the card.

"If you have any problems, please let me know so we can resolve it. Alright, if any want to check their locker, you have ten minutes before class will start," she told them as a bell rang outside in the hall signaling a change for classes. Some of the students shuffled out into the hall and looked at the locker numbers finding their locker and tried to open it. Others talked among themselves about what they did this summer. Ten minutes later, the bell rang again signaling the start of class. Everyone hurried to their seats and got quiet.

"I'll be handing out your English textbooks to everyone for this class and I expect you to keep them clean and don't mark in the textbooks, except to put your name in the front. Do it neatly where it can be read, please." Ms. Rose turned and picked up some books from the table behind her and started passing them out. Once everyone had the book, she walked among the desks watching as the students did as she requested. After a few minutes she continued. "For your first assignment…"

Groans could be heard coming from many of the students complaining of getting homework their first day.

"Now, now, it's simple, write me a paragraph about what you did this summer. Make sure you have complete sentences, and your spelling is correct. Watch your grammar as you write, and I expect more than just a couple of sentences."

Dean had pulled a notebook out and made a few notes as he listened to the teacher talk. He thought about the assignment and wondered what he could write? His adopted parents were killed by a monster, and he begged a stranger to take him in. He learned that monsters were real and there were hunters out there that tracked and killed the monsters to keep others safe and he was training to become a hunter too. Dean was sure that would not go over well. He stayed quiet and didn't offer to answer any of her questions, even though he knew the answers. It wasn't long before the bell rang, and everyone headed out to their next class.

The morning went by quicker than Dean thought it would and lunch period came around. He headed to the cafeteria and found a seat at a table by himself. He pulled his lunch out and startled when a voice spoke to him.

"Hi, can I sit with you?" Molly, the other new student asked.

"Sure," Dean answered watching her sit down.

"It sucks being a new kid, doesn't it?" she asked pulling her lunch pack from her bag.

"Yeah, but it's not the first time for me."

"You know I'm Molly and you're Dean. So, where did you live before?"

"Valley Falls, Kansas. What about you?"

"My Dad was in the military, and we lived in Germany until he was killed. Mom and I moved back here to be close to my grandparents and other family."

"Sorry to hear about your Dad," Dean said softly. "My parents died too."

"Looks like we have some things in common. What do you think of the school so far?"

"It's okay, I guess. It's a little bigger than the other school I was in."

"It's smaller for me. What classes do you have this afternoon? Maybe we have some together."

"Math, Science, and PE."

"Me too! Do you have Walters for Math and Simpson for Science?"

"I do," Dean said perking up finding they had the same classes.

"Great! Maybe we can sit near each other."

"I'd like that," said Dean in a shy voice.

They finished their lunches and walked together to their next class and were happy that seats were not assigned. Dean let Molly sit in front of him and they quietly talked until the bell rang for class to start. The afternoon rushed by as they went to their next class and got assigned as lab partners which Dean didn't mind. He found Molly to be a nice girl and friendly. They separated for gym and Dean headed into the boy's locker room.

After PE, Dean hurried to the front for pickup and looked around for Bobby's truck. He finally spotted it in the row of cars and headed in for it.

"Well, how was the first day?"

"It wasn't too bad," Dean replied settling in the seat thinking he might like it here after all.

A/N: Dean has started school and has already made a friend. It wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. Thanks for choosing to read my story. Reviews/Comments would be great. NC