A/N: As a special treat and to move the story along I am going to post this chapter early for your reading pleasure. And I will get the next one up this weekend. Enjoy... NC

Chapter 17

Dean worked hard through the summer to hone his skills with guns and knives and continued his training, so he was fit and muscular by the time fall came around. He learned how to defend himself with a knife and how to disarm an opponent and take them down. Dean could hit every target Bobby put up for him, even when rolling across the ground and coming up firing. It was getting to be second nature to him now.

Bobby took him into town to shop for clothes for school and to get his school supplies. They went to orientation at the high school and Dean got signed up for his classes. He tested out of several classes and if he kept it up, would be able to graduate early.

The first part of the school year went by with little excitement. Dean tried out for baseball again and was put in first string. He stayed with Joe and Maggie several times when Bobby was on a hunt, even though Dean declared he was old enough to stay by himself, Bobby wouldn't have it. Bobby felt it better to be safe than sorry for now at least.

The holidays were upon them, and Bobby had a special treat for Dean. They spent Thanksgiving with Joe and Maggie and planned on going to Lawrence to spend Christmas with Missouri. She insisted that they stay a few days with her and enjoy the time.

"Well, are you happy to start your Christmas break?" Bobby asked as Dean got into the truck.

"I guess. I'm excited about our trip," Dean replied settling into the passenger seat.

"Were you given any homework to do over the Christmas break?"

"A little, but it won't take me long to do it. I should have it done before we leave."

"Missouri wants us to come down the day before Christmas Eve and stay for a few days after. She said it'll be nice to have company during this time. She's already baking up a storm. Let me tell you, you've not tasted good cooking until you've had one of her meals. And the desserts, I told her you like pies."

"Really?" Dean perked up. "This is sounding better all the time."

"You get your work done and packed so we can leave in a couple of days." Bobby followed the cars ahead of him until he could get on the road to town. "How 'bout stopping at the diner for a milk shake or soda as a treat?"

"Yeah, that sounds good. I could go for some fries and soda."

Bobby headed for the diner, pulled into the parking lot, and parked. They got out and headed inside to celebrate the start of the holiday break. Dean decided to go ahead and order a burger with his fries and soda, as a hunger pain hit. Bobby chuckled at the boy thinking he was having a growth spurt again since he was eating everything in sight. They had their meal, paid, and headed back to the salvage yard.

Dean gathered his clothes and took what Bobby had to make a load. He started the washer and went back into the kitchen to the table to start his homework. Most of it was easy for him, but he did have a book to read over break and be prepared discuss it at their next class. This was what Dean hated the most. He didn't mind tests, reports, projects; he just didn't like talking about things in class. He liked keeping a low profile with the other students since he was younger than his classmates and he didn't have a lot of friends. Dean got up and transferred the clothes to the dryer and went back to the kitchen.

"Are you going to want something to snack on before bed?" Bobby asked as he strolled into the room.

"Maybe, but I can fix me something, don't worry about me."

"Alright, that's fine with me. I've got some research to do for a hunter friend. I'll be in my office." Bobby poured a cup of coffee and headed back out.

"Okay." Dean put away what schoolwork he had finished and looked at the extra credit work to see if it interested him. He skimmed the problems and pulled out a clean piece of paper to begin working them. By the time the dryer went off letting him know the clothes were dry, Dean had finished the problems. He got up and went to separate and fold the clothes before taking Bobby's to his bedroom and his upstairs. Once he pulled out what he was going to pack for their trip, Dean put the rest away in the dresser. He finished packing his duffle and sat it by the door before heading back down to clear the table, packing his schoolbooks in his backpack.

"Hey Bobby, I'm going out to the gym to get a workout in," Dean called.

"Okay son," Bobby replied.

Dean headed out the back door and walked to the building he used as a gym. He turned on the lights and went inside to go through his workout routine. He knew when they left the only thing he could do would be jog around the block at Missouri's, if the weather permitted, and do some basis exercises.

spn

"Why are we taking the roll back tow truck?" Dean questioned when Bobby walked to it instead of his old pickup truck.

"Oh, I think it'll come in useful," Bobby told him being mysterious about it.

"Whatever," Dean shrugged opening the passenger door and flipping the seat back to set his duffle in. He pushed the seat back in place and got in the passenger seat while Bobby got in the driver's seat. He knew Bobby wasn't going to tell him anything unless he wanted to and there was no use bugging him about it.

"We'll be stopping one time to get gas and hit the head, so no whining about stopping. It's about a six-hour drive if traffic is moving good."

"Got it, went before I left, so I'm good." Dean glanced absently out the side window as Bobby pulled onto the road to head south toward Lawrence. He pulled his iPod from his pack and slipped in the ear buds to listen to his music. One of the few things that Dean and Bobby didn't agree with was their taste in music. He let his head bob slightly to the tune and slouched down in the seat trying to get comfortable.

Bobby looked over at Dean to see he was barely awake as his eyes slid shut and slowly opened again. They had been on the road for three hours and he planned on stopping soon for gas and food. He had a surprise for Dean in Lawrence, a Christmas and early birthday gift.

After a little research and a couple of favors from some contacts, Bobby had found out what kind of car his father, John Winchester, drove, a 1967, Chevy Impala. He had tracked down what happened to the car and found who had bought it after his death. It took a little dickering, but Bobby got the owner to sell him the car as is. He was told it needed some work and hadn't been driven in a while but had not been wrecked or anything. He figured it would give Dean something to do, fixing up the car, while he waited to get his learner's permit. It only seemed fitting that Dean should have his father's car after all this time.

"Are we stopping soon?" Dean asked breaking into Bobby's thoughts.

"Yep, I've been checking the road signs. There's a truck stop about ten miles ahead I was going stop at."

"Sounds good," Dean replied sliding up in his seat and looking around. He had been zoned out for the last several hours, lost in his own thoughts about his life and how he got to where he was now. There were gaps that he seemed to be suppressing and not allowing his mind to go there and this bothered him, but his subconscious wouldn't open any of it to him.

When the exist was close, Bobby changed lanes and signaled his intent. He slowed to drive up the ramp and stop at the light, waiting for it to turn green. The truck stop was on the left and was busy with vehicles coming and going. He pulled to the pumps first to fill up.

"I'm going on in. I'll get us a table," Dean told him as he climbed out.

"Alright, I'll be in shortly," Bobby replied watching Dean walk toward the building. He pumped the gas and moved the truck to a parking spot before going in and heading for the restrooms first and then to find Dean so they could get something to eat.

spn

Bobby pulled the truck to the side of the road and parked in front of Missouri's house. Dean looked through the side window at the two-story house and hoped she had some fresh baked cookies. He had visited her several times with Bobby, and she always seemed to know what he needed. Bobby had told him Missouri was a psychic and he figured she could pick things up from him. At first, it made he uncomfortable, but Missouri had a way of easing his mind.

"You ready son?" Bobby asked.

"Yes," Dean nodded. He opened his door and got his duffle to follow Bobby to the front door.

Before he could ring the bell, the door was opened by Missouri who smiled brightly at them.

"Bobby, Dean, come in, come in," Missouri greeted them in her soft, lyrical voice. "I hope you had a good trip down."

"Hello, old gal, it's good to see you," Bobby replied, warmth in his voice as he followed Missouri inside. "Here Dean, take our bags upstairs."

"Okay."

"We'll be in the kitchen Dean," Missouri told him. "And yes, I do have some cookies just out of the oven."

Dean looked back over his shoulder as he started up the stairs to give her a surprised look before he continued to the second floor.

"I can see a change in that boy, Bobby," Missouri commented as they headed for the kitchen. "You're a good influence on him."

"I don't know about that, but he's got a good head on his shoulders and is a fast learner. I've never seen someone work so hard at anything before. I gotta say, I think he's going to make one hell of a hunter."

"I hate to see the boy go down that path, but I don't think we could change it no matter how hard we tried."

"I know, that's why I started training him. He told me if I didn't help him, he would teach himself," Bobby chuckled remembering how stubborn and hardheaded he was back then. "I couldn't live with myself if I let that happen and Dean got hurt."

"Have a seat Dean," Missouri told him as he walked into the room. "I'll get you a glass of ice-cold milk to go with those cookies."

"Thank you," Dean told her taking a seat and looking at the plate of cookies on the table. He licked his lips but had manners enough to wait for Missouri before taking a cookie. "I like your tree and decorations."

"Here you go honey, help yourself to the cookies. It's nice to have company to celebrate with."

Dean took a napkin and put two cookies on it. He took a bite of the warm cookie and hummed as it melted in his mouth and the enticing flavors exploded on his taste buds. He took another bite before sipping some milk.

"These are amazing," Dean praised Missouri.

"Why thank you sugar," she beamed. "It's nice to have others to cook for once and a while."

"Well, you can cook for me anytime," Dean assured her as he ate another cookie.

"The boy's right, you are a great cook," Bobby added.

"I thought after dinner tonight we could drive through downtown and look at the Christmas lights and decorations. I thought it would get us in the spirit of the holiday."

"That sounds nice Missouri," Bobby said.

"So, Dean, what are you wanting for Christmas?" Missouri asked Dean who looked up wide eyed when he saw both of them were looking at him.

"Ummm…" Dean started. "I don't think there's anything I want. I already have everything I need," he continued looking to Bobby and smiling.

"I think you have too," she whispered seeing the love on Bobby and Dean's faces. It was hard not to read Dean since he was an open book around her. Maybe she will have to show him how to put up walls so others won't be able to see his thoughts.

spn

Bobby drove Missouri's car slowly down the main street of Lawrence so they could see the lights. The street was lit with hundreds of lights that outlined the buildings, trees, and streetlamps. There were Christmas scenes set up in grassy areas that divided the street.

"Wow, this is nice." Dean said. His head swiveled from side to side not sure where to look next. "It's like a Christmas village."

"They do know how to do the holiday right," Bobby agreed.

"It's one of my favorite times of the years. The decorations alone are worth going to see," Missouri noted.

"Can we drive through again?" Dean asked not wanting to leave yet.

"Why don't we park and walk down the street?" Missouri asked. "We can see the scenes better and get some hot chocolate at the diner."

"I think that would be okay," Dean nodded trying to not act too excited with it all.

"Don't see why not. I'll look for a parking spot in the next block. You be sure and bundle up son, it's cold out there."

"I will." Dean wrapped a scarp around his neck and zipped up his jacket before putting on a watch cap and gloves. He was ready by the time Bobby parked and hopped out blowing out air to see his breath.

They walked down the sidewalk taking in all the lights and music. Bobby bought hot chocolates for them, and they sat at an outside table to enjoy it. Both smiled at the joy they saw on Dean's face as he watched and listened to everything going on around them. It was a festive time, and everyone was enjoying it.

A/N: Another familiar face is joining the story. I do love Missouri. It will be in the next chapter when something breaks through Dean's barriers, and he remembers everything. I know the wait has been long, but I hope it is worth it. Thanks for coming along for the ride. I do like reviews/comments. NC