Thank you Danae and C1B12 for your feedback and a special shout out to Blondie20000 for all your feedback! Oh and trust me I hated making Ellen the baddie in this story and I could only do it with Jo and Bobby telling us what she's done because I couldn't physically write those scenes...I'm not sure if I'll explore Ellen's alcoholism...this story seems to be more about John and Dean than I originally intended but I'm enjoying those bonding scenes.

Okay not much happening in this part...a little heart to heart between Bobby and John and then some nice moments for the kids.

Thank you again and enjoy!

Chapter 10

The children were walking together in front of John and Bobby with Jo in the middle and both Dean and Sammy holding her hands. Bobby looked at the children before turning to his friend. "So that's new…Sammy holding Jo's hand."

John nodded his head, "yeah I noticed this morning when they came downstairs that he was holding her hand. I'm used to Dean holding her hand but after last night it seems like the three of them are closer, especially the boys."

"You mean the way Sammy ran over to Dean and insisted on sitting in the same chair this morning…he hasn't done that in a few years." Bobby said before bringing up the subject that had been gnawing at him since last night. "I was thinking about what Rufus said and I think I'm going to reach out to his friend to talk to Jo."

"Oh, come on Bobby, Jo's fine." John argued.

Bobby looked at his friend. "Yeah well I thought that too and then your son told me she thinks she's dirty because that bastard molested her. You told me that her own mother told her she wishes she had an abortion. Then last night she was held at knife point by that bastard. I'm not sure what is going through her little mind, but I have notice she's barely eating…unless I force her and that's not good."

John considered what his friend was saying, and he knew he had a point…that little girl has gone through too much in her short life. "I guess I understand, and it might help her deal with everything."

"Might help Dean too…John that child took a human life last night."

"He's fine Bobby. He was in a little shock but other than that he's fine." John said.

Bobby shook his head in disagreement but decided not to argue with the other hunter because he feared that the other man would pack his kids up and leave. That was something he didn't want to happen. Right now, those children needed stability and he would shut his mouth if it meant that those boys would stay put.

SPNSPNSPNSPN

"Did you really ask our Daddy if we could live with you and Uncle Bobby forever?" Sammy asked hopefully.

"Un hun but he said no." Jo told them sadly.

"Didn't think he would ever agree." Dean told them.

"Maybe if we ask Daddy…" Sammy started to suggest but stopped when Dean snorted at the idea.

"When has Dad ever listen when it came to where we live."

"Daddy might listen to you Dean…he only agreed to go to the zoo if you wanted to go." Sammy argued.

"Dean, you have to try." Jo begged.

The older child sighed, "Okay I'll ask but he ain't gonna change his mind."

The three stopped suddenly as they finally realized they were at the entrance for the zoo exhibits. They stood and looked around in awe and all three jumped slightly when the adults caught up with them. "So where to first?" John asked them.

Jo eyes widen when she saw the sign for the giraffe's paddocks. "Ohhh can we see the giraffes please?" she asked as she bounced up and down in excitement.

"The boys might want to see something else Jo," her Uncle Bobby told her.

"The giraffes are cool," Dean said as he squeezed Jo's hand. "Besides the rhinos and zebras are over that way too."

Sammy turned towards his father. "Daddy they have a train! Can we ride it, please?"

"Whow slow down. Let's see the animals first and if we have time then we can ride the train." John said with a chuckle as he ruffled Sammy's hair.

The party of five made their way towards the African exhibits. When they made their way over to the giraffes Jo couldn't contain her excitement. "Uncle Bobby…look…they have food to feed the giraffes. Can we do that….PLEASEEEEE?!"

Sammy and Dean looked over in excitement too at the prospect to feeding the animals. "Can we Uncle Bobby?" They both asked at the same time.

Bobby grumbled about the zoo costing more money than his first car, but he still pulled out money and gave the children each some so that they could buy the food for the animals. The three quickly ran over and bought the food and waited anxiously for their turns.

The hunters couldn't help but smile as the kids laughed as the giraffes ate the food that they held up in the palm of their hands for them. Jo looked up at her Uncle John as she tugged on his hand. "Uncle John, can you lift me up so I'm taller and the giraffes don't have to bend down so much?"

"Sure, Baby Girl," John said as he lifted the little girl up and put her on his shoulders.

"Wow," Jo said as she was practically face to face with one of the calves that were born that spring. She grinned and held out the food in her hand to the animal.

"If you hold the treat with your lips, she'll take it from you and give you a kiss." A female zookeeper told Jo as she watched the little girl feeding the animals.

"Can I Uncle John?" Jo asked as her Uncle Bobby was buying more food for them.

"Of course, you can Baby." John told her before looking at the woman. "Ummm can you show her what you mean?"

"Of course." She said with a smile before looking up at Jo. "Sweetie take the biscuit and put it in between your lips like this," the woman showed Jo who quickly mimic what the woman did and turned towards the giraffe who leaned forward and used his tongue to retrieve the treat and licked Jo's giggling face in the process.

John laughed as Jo quickly repeated the process and earned another 'kiss' from the giraffe. John looked down when he felt a tug on his shirt. "Can I do it too Daddy?" Sammy asked.

"Sure Buddy," John told the boy as he tapped Jo's leg to get her attention. "Time to get down Baby Girl," he told her as he helped her down before lifting Sammy to let him sit on his shoulders.

"Dean…your turn next," Jo said as Dean and her Uncle Bobby joined them.

Dean shook his head. "Nah, I don't want giraffe drool on my face. You can go again if you want."

"That was cool Daddy," Sammy said as his father put him back on the ground.

"You're turn Dean," John said.

"Dad, I'm too big for that." Dean told him, blushing slightly.

John looked down at his son. "Oh, I think I can handle it. Come on Kiddo, up you go." John said as he quickly lifted his son up and settled him on his shoulder.

Dean follow suit like Jo and Sammy and put the biscuit between his lips and sputtered as the giraffe licked his face. "Ewww gross," Dean said with a laugh but quickly took his second biscuit and repeated the process.

John smiled as he swung Dean down and settled him next to the other children. "Guess you didn't mind the giraffe drool after all, huh Buddy?" John teased him as he ruffled Dean's hair.

"So where to next?" Bobby asked.

"Rhinos!" Sammy and Dean shouted at the same time.

"Rhinos it is," John agreed as Sammy and Dean began running ahead a little. "Not too fast you two," John called out. He looked down in surprise when he felt a little hand slip into his and he saw Jo giving him a happy grin. "Are you enjoying the zoo Baby Girl?"

"Un huh," she said as she reached out and grabbed her uncle's hand too as he began to walk on the other side of her.

Bobby looked over the other hunter and counted out loud,"…one…two…three..." before both men lifted Jo up between them and swung her carefully for a few seconds before putting her back down. The child's happy laughter made both men smile. Maybe this day is just what all of them needed after all.

TBC