Thank you so much Blondie 20000 for your feedback! Oh I know John is pretty thick headed at times...just doesn't know how to cope with what he feels. Well this next part is mostly Bobby, Gemma and Dean. Yup the little man has a bittersweet moment with Bobby here.

Anyways, I hope people enjoy!

Thanks

Val

Chapter 16

It was after midnight when Gemma pulled up in front of Bobby's house. He stood on the front porch waiting for her. She took a deep breath as she got out of the car as Bobby walked down the stairs towards her.

"Gemma, thank you for doing this." He said as he stood before her.

"You can thank me by bringing that stubborn ass home." She said as all her fears she had been trying to bury since Bobby's call came to the surface and she broke down into the older man's arms crying.

"Hey, he's gonna be fine," he tried to reassure her. "Why don't we get your bags and we can get you settled. I'll leave in the morning after I talk to the kids."

SPNSPNSPNSPNSPN

Gemma sipped on the cup of coffee he handed her; her ears perked up when she heard the sound of three sets of little feet running around above them as they got ready for the day. "Bobby you should know that John told me about what happened…about that asshole Roy. I also know Dean and Jo have been seeing a therapist."

Bobby looked up from where he sat nursing his own cup of coffee in shock. "He did?"

"Yeah he did," Gemma murmured. "Are you sure Dean will stay here with me? Maybe this isn't a good idea. I could call my Dad…he could find John." She said as she sat down across from him.

Bobby shook his head. "Dean will be fine. Sammy will follow his lead and Jo is still talking about ''Miss Gemma'."

As if on cue the three children came rushing into the kitchen. Gemma looked over towards the doorway at her three charges with a tentative smile. The smile turned into a full-blown grin when Jo saw her and cried out 'Miss Gemma' before running over to her and giving her a hug.

"Hi Jo, I wasn't sure you would remember me." She said as she returned the little girl's hug.

Gemma watched as Bobby asked Dean to go into the other room to talk. Smiling she turned towards the two smaller children. "How do pancakes for breakfast sound?"

"With chocolate chips?" Jo asked hopefully as Sammy nodded his head in eager agreements.

"Sure, why not." She said as she patted both children on their heads as she got up and began looking in the cabinets for the ingredients, bowls, griddle and utensils needed to make the pancakes. Hoping things were going well between Dean and Bobby.

SPNSPNSPNSPNSPN

"You don't trust me to take care of Sammy and Jo?" Dean said as he looked up at his uncle.

Bobby sighed, "That's not true. Dean I can't leave three children alone for a week. What if somebody found out. I could lose Jo and your father could lose you and Sammy. Plus I need you to help Gemma. I expect you to keep this place safe when I leave. I know I can count on you to keep the house secure...to make sure the salt lines are intact along all the doors and windows."

Dean small chest puffed out at his uncle's words. "Yes Sir."

Bobby had to bite the inside of his cheek at the seriousness in boy's voice. "Alright. Now you need to know that Gemma isn't a babysitter. Her Daddy is a hunter too and she knows how to handle herself. I expect you to continue with your training and Gemma will train with you."

"But she's a girl," Dean whined.

"A girl who runs 10 miles a day and has full weapon training under her belt including that crossbow you've been begging your Dad to let you try again."

"She can use a crossbow?" Dean asked in awe. His opinion of her increased tenfold.

"She can, I bet she would be happy to give you lessons." Bobby told him. He needed to let the boy know that Gemma was aware of what happened but knew he couldn't tell him about his father's relationship with the woman in the kitchen and decided to say he told her.

"Dean, since Gemma will be staying with you three for at least a week I had to tell her about what happened...about Roy. I couldn't leave her here and have you or Jo have a nightmare and her not understanding."

Dean stared at the hunter in horror. "You told her?"

"Yes and I never would have told her if I didn't trust her. She needed to know Dean. I can't leave her with you three and not let her know. How would I explain Tom? He's going to be here today to see you and Jo and again on Thursday."

"Maybe I don't need to see Dr. Tom anymore," the child said as he looked down at his shoes.

Bobby sighed as he sat down and patted the seat next to him for Dean to sit down. "Dean, I know you haven't had any nightmares over the last couple of weeks and that's because of seeing Tom. You need to follow through with this. It's for the best. You have to trust that your Dad knows what's best for you and seeing Tom is best. You also have to trust that I never would have told Gemma if I didn't trust her and if I trust her then..."

"I can trust her." Dean finished.

"Look once me and your old man get back here the three of us can have man to man about you seeing Tom. How does that sound?"

"Okay...Uncle Bobby do you think my Dad is really okay?" The child asked tentatively.

The hunter took a deep breath. If that was Sammy asking him he would have automatically said yes but he knew Dean needed the truth. "I don't know. I hope so and I'm going to do everything I can to find him and bring him home."

Dean nodded his head. "Do you have to go?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Bobby looked at him shocked. "What?"

"Can't somebody else go?"

"Dean?"

The child didn't care what his uncle thought he threw his arms around the older man's neck. "You're all we have," he cried.

"Oh Jesus," the older man murmured as he realized the child was not only afraid of losing his father but of losing him too. The uncertainty of what would happen to him, his brother and Jo if both men were lost must be overwhelming to him. The child had too much responsibility thrust upon him.

Clearing his throat he found himself saying. "How about I call Rufus and Caleb to see if they can meet up with me and the three of us find your Dad? Then it won't just be me."

Dean sniffled and nodded his head. "Will you call us?"

Bobby had to swallow his anger, John never called while on a hunt and Dean always got a little anxious the longer he was gone. "I'll call at least once a day."

"Okay," he said as looked up at his uncle.

Bobby looked up as Gemma cleared her throat as she stood in the door frame, a plate of scramble eggs and a steaming mug of coffee in her hands. "Hey Dean, there's a plate of chocolate chip pancakes waiting for you in the kitchen."

The boy looked back at his uncle who patted his shoulder. "Go eat Sport."

Dean didn't have to be told that twice as he got up and rushed into the kitchen to join Sammy and Jo. Gemma walked over to the older hunter. "I didn't think you would want chocolate chip pancakes," she said as she handed him the plate.

"Bless you," Bobby said with a smile.

"How did it go?"

"Best that could be expected. I told him that I told you about Roy and that him and Jo are seeing Tom."

"You said you told me?"

"Do you really want to explain what you and his father have been doing practically every night for two months?" He asked her knowingly.

Gemma blushed and mumbled, "nope, that works for me."

"Look I'm calling a couple of other hunters to meet me." He told her as he walked over to his desk and opened the bottom draw. After talking to Dean he realized he should give Gemma more than the kids schedule. Grabbing the box he put it on the desk. "I'm sure you won't need these but in here are the kids birth certificates, medical records and my custody papers for Jo." He explained before clearing his throat and continuing. "Look Gemma you know better than anyone that hunters with children have back up documents."

Gemma nodded her head as she realized what he was saying. "Who?"

"Jim Murphy."

"Blue Earth, Minnesota," she said.

"You know Jim?"

"My father has hunted with him. I've met him a few times." She admitted.

"You know what to do if the worst-case scenario happens?"

Gemma chewed on her lower lip as she nodded her head. "I do."

Jim reached out and put his hand on Gemma's shoulder. "It's just a precaution."

"I know." She said softly.

The hunter nodded his head. "Okay, why don't you join the kids. I know Jo and Sam won't be a problem but you may want to try and get to know Dean a little. I told him you know how to use a crossbow and you might teach him on using one."

"Good idea," she agreed. "I'll let you make your calls and see you when you come in to say goodbye to the kids."

Jim watched as Gemma left before sitting down at his desk and picking up his phone to call Caleb and Rufus.

SPNSPNSPNSPNSPN

"So Dean, we'll have a few hours before Tom comes. You up for some target practice?"

"Do you really know how to use a crossbow?" The preteen asked.

"Yup," Gemma said as she took a sip of her coffee. She looked up when Bobby came into the kitchen.

"Okay, I'm gonna head out." Bobby announced. "I expect your three to mind your Ps & Qs and be on your best behavior.

"Yes Sir. Yes Uncle Bobby, Will do Uncle Bobby." Three voices shouted at the same time.

Jo got up and ran over to her uncle, hugging him around the middle. "I'll miss you Uncle Bobby," she murmured into his stomach.

Bobby chuckled as he scooped the girl up and hugged her close. "I'll miss you too Baby."

He smiled when he felt another small body hugging him and look down to see Sammy had joined them. He reached down with his free hand and hugged the boy back. He looked over and saw Dean sitting watching them. He could see the boy wanted to join them but seemed a little hesitant as he looked over towards Gemma. It was obvious he wanted to be considered more of a peer to the woman than a child she was minding. He saw the woman caught on to this and made an excuse to leave.

Bobby kissed Jo on the cheek before he put her down and patted Sammy on his head. "Why don't you two wash you faces and hands...looks like you got as much syrup on you as you did in your tummies."

"Rufus and Caleb are on their way to meet me," he said as went over and sat down next to Dean.

"Okay," Dean said as he looked up at his uncle and didn't hesitate as he slipped out of his chair and hugged the older hunter. "I promise I'll help Gemma take care of Sammy and Jo."

"I know you will Buddy," Bobby said as he hugged him. "I'll call you kids tonight before you hit the hay."

"Okay," the child murmured as he pulled back slightly.

Bobby nodded as he rested his hands on the boy's shoulder. "I need to leave now if I'm going to meet up with Caleb tonight."

"Yes Sir," Dean said as he looked up to when he heard his brother and Jo rushing back into the kitchen with Gemma trailing behind.

"Gemma's gonna help me with my bow and arrow training," Sammy shouted excitedly.

"Sounds like you kids are in good hands." Bobby said as he stood up. "Alright, I'm heading out. I'll talk to you all later when I call to check in."

"I'll walk you out." Gemma said before turning to the children. "The sooner you three clean up the breakfast dishes the sooner we can go outside to practice."

Bobby smiled as the three hurried to begin cleaning as the adults went outside. "You three...you planning to start weapon training with my niece?"

Gemma blushed slightly. "She asked that since Sammy is allowed to practice with a bow and arrow and that they are the same age that she wants to do it to."

"I guess it wouldn't be such a bad idea," Bobby decided as he tossed his duffle bag into the passenger seat.

"Good luck and be careful," Gemma said.

"Don't spoil them too much." he told her.

Gemma grinned, "I won't."

"Liar," he said with a chuckle.

"You call if you need help, I already talked to my Dad and he said he can be there if you need him."

"Right," Bobby agreed with a grunt as Gemma engulf him in a fierce hug making the hunter wonder when people decided he was so darn hug able.