A/N: For Kathy who asked about Sam. I don't go into detail about Sam's early life, but he is being taken care of by a good family. He is coming into the picture and Dean will get his memories back soon. I hope everyone can hang in there. NC

Chapter 14

The school term seemed to speed by for Dean and he fell into a routine. He made more friends, but his best friend was Molly. He joined the baseball team for the exercise, hoping it would help with his training to be a hunter. Bobby had found a karate studio for Dean to start back with his training and went twice a week after school, except during the holidays. On the weekend, Bobby put him through a grueling regiment on Saturday and gave him the day off on Sunday, to do what he wanted.

When Dean had projects with Molly in science or they would study together for a big test, they would meet at the public library to do their research and work on it or study. Molly was smart like Dean, and they made a formable pair getting excellent grades. They would eat lunch together with a few other friends and even the gang went to the movies together.

Joe and Maggie made sure they knew when Dean was playing baseball and came to the games to cheer Dean on. Bobby did his best to be at the games when he could and sat with Joe and Maggie. He couldn't help but feel very proud of Dean and what he had accomplished. Dean was one of the pitchers because of his accuracy when throwing the ball. He was good at reading the batter and was able to fake them out. He was becoming known for his curve ball that very few batters could hit.

When Thanksgiving rolled around, Bobby and Dean were invited to Joe and Maggie's for a delicious lunch. Dean was happy to help Maggie in the kitchen, while Bobby and Joe talked over old times and hunts. They watched the football game after lunch and relaxed. Everyone had an enjoyable day and Maggie send enough food home for Bobby and Dean to eat on for several days.

The weather had turned cold and windy when school started back for a few more weeks before Christmas vacation would begin. The teachers were giving extra homework to get all they could done before the next holiday break. Dean had homework every night and spend part of the time at the public library researching schoolwork.

He didn't have much time for training but tried to spend a little time on it while helping Bobby doing research for hunters and if he had any free time, put it toward working out in the small gym Bobby set up in one of the buildings. He had a punching bag, weights, jump rope, mats to learn how to fall and exercise on, and surprisingly, a dart board to practice on his aim. Bobby hoped throwing darts would help when he let Dean start using knifes and handguns.

spn

"Hello Dean, are you glad to be out of school for a while?" Bobby asked him the first morning of his Christmas break. Dean had slept in an extra hour since he didn't need to get ready for school thinking he deserved it.

"Yes, but we still were given some homework to do," Dean replied getting down some cereal and pulling the milk from the fridge.

"I though this weekend we'd go out in the woods and get a tree."

"Really?" Dean asked with interest.

"Yeah, I'll dig out what decorations I have and see if we need to buy more. We can run into town tomorrow and do a supply run while we're at it. Weatherman's calling for a possibly white Christmas, so I want to get some extra food in case we get snowed in for a few days."

"I want to do some shopping while we're there too." Dean wanted to find something for Bobby for Christmas and for Joe and Maggie.

"You can do that. Do you need some money?" Bobby asked him. He did give Dean a small allowance and paid him when he helped in the garage.

"No, I've been saving my money."

"I thought I'd get a gift certificate for Joe and Maggie to that nice restaurant in town for a Christmas gift and maybe a fruit basket. What do you think?" Bobby didn't want Dean spending all his money because he knew Dean was saving his money for a car when he got older.

"I think they would like that," Dean nodded happy that Bobby suggested it.

"Joe and Maggie want us to come for lunch Christmas day, but we'll have to see what the weather does between now and then." Bobby poured another cup of coffee before continuing. "So, what are you doing today son?"

"Nothing. I'm giving myself a day off, but I am going to do a short workout. I may read one of my library books and just chill."

"Well, I think you deserve a day off. I'm really proud of how hard you have worked Dean, in school and in your training."

Dean ducked his head and smiled shyly as Bobby praised him for his hard work. It made him feel happy and pleased that Bobby acknowledged how hard he had been working.

"Thanks Bobby," Dean replied glancing up at Bobby and giving him a smile.

"I'm going to the garage to work unless I get a tow job, but I'll let you know if I have to leave."

"Okay, I'm going to read for a bit and then I'll be in the gym."

Bobby took his coffee with him and went to get his winter coat to head to the garage to work on a couple of cars he wanted to get fixed and out before Christmas to have a little extra money. He was glad Dean was excited about having Christmas with him and wanted him to have a good one. He was going to get a small turkey breast for them to cook and have to eat on after Christmas.

spn

Saturday dawned cold and cloudy when Dean woke up and got ready to head downstairs, excited about going to get a Christmas tree today. He put on his long underwear wanting to stay warm while they are outside. He put on jeans, T-shirt, flannel shirt, heavy socks, and his boots before heading downstairs.

"You're up early, but I think I know why," Bobby teased him.

"We're going to get a tree," Dean rushed out.

"That we are. You make the toast and I'll scramble some eggs."

"Okay." Dean moved to the counter to get the bread out and to the fridge for the butter. He got it ready and put in the toaster oven to cook. While Bobby cooked the eggs, Dean got out plates and silverware and set the table. He got the toast out when it was ready and put the slices on their plates. Bobby dished out the eggs and they sat down to eat.

Dean wiggled around in his seat as he quickly ate, wanting to set out to find a tree. He had helped Bobby test the strings of lights he had found to be sure they worked. There were some decorations that were useable, and Bobby picked up more when he went to town to be sure they had enough for the tree.

"Slow down son, we have all day to find a tree," Bobby chuckled watching Dean shovel in eggs and bite off toast.

Dean drank some milk to wash everything down and slowed down to finish the rest of his food. He drank the rest of his milk and took his dishes to the sink to rinse. He turned back to Bobby and waited for him to finish.

"Alright son, go put on your winter gear and I'll get mine on," Bobby sighed getting up to take his dishes to the sink too.

"Okay," Dean nodded heading into the laundry room to get his winter coat, gloves, watch cap, and scarf. He came back dressed and ready to go. "I'm ready."

"Let's go then. I need to pick up the tree saw, and we'll head out into the woods behind the salvage yard."

"Can I pick the tree out?" Dean asked as they headed out the back door and toward the back gate.

"Don't see why not. Look for one about five feet tall and nicely shaped."

Bobby stopped at one the of sheds and found the tree saw before continuing through the gate. The wind blew coldly across the field as they entered the woods walking deeper into the trees. Dean walked ahead and started scoping out trees, looking for the perfect one for them to cut down and take back to the house to decorate.

Bobby chuckled at his enthusiasm as he strolled along behind him, letting Dean do all the looking. He kept track of where they were as they walked deeper into the woods. He turned his collar up as a breeze blew against his back rustling the dead leaves that hung randomly in the trees overhead. Winter was a time of death and hibernation for the world around them. Bobby lost sight of Dean several times as he ducked around and slipped through the grove of trees.

"Dean!" Bobby called when he couldn't see the boy ahead of him. "Don't get too far ahead!"

"I found it! Bobby, I found the perfect tree!" Dean called off to the right of Bobby. "Over here!"

Bobby made his way around some bushes and small trees until he found a small clearing and Dean walking around a fir tree that sat off to the side with several other firs.

"This is it," Dean proudly said.

"Well, let me see," Bobby noted stopping to examine the tree and thought it did look like a nice tree, not too big or too small. "I think you've found a good one Dean. Can you get down there and cut the trunk as low to the ground as you can?"

"Yes," Dean said. He took the tree saw and slipped under the lower branches of the tree until he was where he could reach the trunk. Being careful, Dean began to saw across the trunk, using both hands to hold the saw handle. He grunted as it got harder but was determined to finish the job. When the tree started to sway, he sawed faster until the tree fell beside him.

"Good job son," Bobby praised him. "Let's give it a good shake to get any trash off of it and we'll head back."

Dean grabbed the top of the tree and shook it with Bobby's help before taking the top while Bobby got the bottom. He headed back toward the salvage yard, walking slowly so Bobby could keep up. He looked up into the tree branches when small white flakes began to drift down among the limbs.

"Look, it's snowing," Dean cried out holding his head up to the sky and letting flakes fall on it.

"Guess the weatherman got it right for a change," Bobby replied. "Do you know where you're going Dean?"

"Yep, I remember," Dean shrugged leading them back through the forest to the field behind the salvage yard. He had a good sense of direction and hadn't got lost yet.

The snow was getting harder now that they were in the open and they hurried toward the gate. Bobby opened it and let them in, locking it behind him. They carried the tree to the deck and Bobby sat it under the covered part for now.

"You go get the stand ready and I'll trim the trunk before bringing it in."

"Okay, I can do that." Dean hurried inside and shed his winter gear before going into the living room to move the tree stand into place where the tree was going to go. He waited for Bobby to bring it in and let him sit the trunk in the middle of the stand.

"Now tighten the screws around the stand evenly to hold the tree."

"Okay." Dean laid down on his stomach and reached under the branches to the screws to begin tightening them, trying to do it evenly so the tree would be straight. He got them as tight as he could and scooted out to stand and look at the tree. "Is it straight?"

Bobby stepped back and inspected it before giving his approval.

"That looks good son. Why don't we have some hot chocolate and let the tree relax before you decorate it."

"Should I water it?"

"Yeah and feed it a couple of aspirins."

"Why?"

"It's to help it stay fresh longer; at least that's what I read. You do that and I'll get the chocolate ready."

"Okay, sounds good."

Dean went to do as asked and Bobby headed into the kitchen to fix him a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows. He started a fresh pot of coffee for himself as the water heated for the chocolate. He found the box of hot chocolate he had bought for Dean and the bag of marshmallows. After fixing a cup of hot chocolate for Dean and a cup of coffee for himself, Bobby headed back into the living room to find Dean sitting in front of the tree just looking at it.

"Here you go son, it'll warm you up."

"Thanks," Dean replied accepting the cup and smiling seeing the treats floating on top. He blew across the top before taking a small sip to be sure it was cool enough to drink. He took several more sips capturing the melted marshmallows and relishing the sweetness that exploded in his mouth. "When can I start decorating the tree?"

"How 'bout this afternoon?" Bobby suggested. "Would you like a grilled cheese sandwich and soup for lunch?"

"That sounds good. I like your grilled cheese sandwiches."

"That is one thing I can make without burning or undercooking."

"That is true," Dean snickered to get a gentle slap on the back of his head from Bobby.

"Respect your elders," Bobby growled playfully making Dean jerk away but holding his drink out so he wouldn't spill it. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes, hunting a tree was a lot of work," Dean told him.

"Alright then, I'll go start lunch." Bobby got up and headed for the kitchen to fix their lunch leaving Dean in the living room to admire the tree he had found. He never thought bringing this boy into his life would feel so rewarding, but he was finding the boy had wormed his way into his heart.

A/N: Dean is fitting in at Bobby's and finding his place in life once again. He's like a sponge, absorbing all the knowledge that he can about anything he can get his hands on. The next few chapters are going to be slow, but it gives you a look at Dean's life now. Thanks for coming on the journey. I do like reviews/comments. NC