A/N: I wanted to let you know that my next story will be a third one in the Sam's Daughter Series. The other two stories were written in 2016 and 2017. They were called Awaking The Sleeping Monster and In Her Father's Footsteps if anyone wants to go back and re-read them to get the background for this story. Deanna, Sam's daughter, is sixteen and in high school. The name of the third story is I'm Your Juliet and You're My Romeo. I hope you will give it a read. Enjoy... NC

Chapter 17

"Dean, you about ready to eat?" Sam called to him. He was down below where Sam had the blanket tossing rocks out into the water and looked his way when he called.

"Coming," Dean replied dropping a rock and heading back to Sam. He dropped onto the blanket and waited for Sam to get out the food so they could eat.

"Okay, here's your sandwich and the rest of your Gatorade," Sam told him sitting the sandwich on a napkin.

"Does it have mustard?" Dean asked picking up half a sandwich to inspect it and be sure it was how he liked it.

"Yes, and no mayo. I remember what you like on them. There's cheese, carrots, and sliced apples if you want any of those."

"Okay," Dean nodded. He opened his sandwich to look at it and smell it anyway, before taking a bite. He chewed slowly like he didn't seem that interested in food.

Sam began to eat his sandwich as he gazed out across the river taking in the scenery. He opened the carrots and pulled one to munch on. He offered Dean one, but he shook his head no. Sam wondered if he was still a little shaken up by nearly drowning. He sipped on his drink, washing the bite of sandwich down.

"I brought you a surprise," Sam teased, looking at Dean but didn't get the reaction he thought he would. Dean looked up at him, his eyes almost vacant until he blinked a few times and focused on Sam. "Here you go." Sam pulled the bag of peanut M&Ms from the pack and laid them by Dean's side. He watched Dean look at them for a moment before picking up the bag. "You can have a few if you like."

"Thanks," Dean mumbled before tearing a small opening and shaking a couple of pieces out. He put one in his mouth and chewed it slowly before eating the other one. He shook two more from the bag and held his hand out to Sam for him to take them.

"Thanks for sharing," Sam praised him taking the offered candy and eating it. The sweetness burst in his mouth, coating his taste buds. He hummed and closed his eyes enjoying them. "After we finish eating, we should probably head on back."

"Okay," Dean didn't argue. He only ate half his sandwich and pushed the rest away. He did take a couple slices of apple and ate them. "I'm done," he announced.

"Alright, let me put everything away and we'll hike on back."

Dean stood and moved off the blanket and helped Sam pack his backpack. They folded the blanket and Sam tied it to the bottom of the pack. Dean walked back down to the water while Sam put his clothes on. He saw a shiny rock a foot out and stepped closer so he could pick it up and slip it into his pocket.

"Dean let's get your sock and shoes on and we'll head back," Sam called to him.

"Coming," Dean replied wading out of the water to shore. He sat down on a rock and wiped his feet before pulling on his socks and then his sneakers.

"How about a piggyback ride back?" Sam offered.

"Really?" Dean asked cautiously looking up at Sam.

"Sure, climb on the rock and hop on board," Sam instructed him. He turned his back and looked over his shoulder as Dean got higher before wrapping his arms around his neck and his legs around his waist. Sam hefted him up and settled him, adjusting his arms so he wouldn't choke him. "You ready?"

"Yeah," Dean answered into Sam's ear.

Sam picked the pack up putting it on backwards with it resting on his chest. He could feel the soft breaths of Dean on his neck and kept a good grip on his legs so he wouldn't fall.

"Okay, here we go," Sam told Dean as he headed down the bank to where the trail started. He couldn't believe how light Dean felt on his back. An old song came to mind, that he played out in him mind, He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother. It seemed very appropriate in the moment and hummed it softly. He felt Dean lay his head on his shoulder and snuggle. Sam set up a steady pace as he watched the ground for any creepy crawlies. He was sweating heavily by the time he broke free of the trees and paused long enough to catch his breath. He could tell Dean had dozed off just before they got to the field and kept a good hold on him.

Rufus greeted Sam as he walked around the crushed vehicles toward the deck. He sniffed and butted Dean's leg, whining at him to play.

"Easy Rufus, let Dean sleep," Sam whispered to him, letting go of Dean's leg with one hand to pet him. He continued to the deck and went in the backdoor.

"Need some help son?" Bobby asked looking up from his reading. He got up and reached to get Dean from Sam's back.

"Why don't you put him on the couch and let him finish his nap?" Sam groaned as he twisted at the waist and rolled his shoulders.

"Alright," Bobby replied carrying Dean to the living room and placing him on the couch. He draped a throw over his body and made sure he was back far enough to not fall off the couch. "You look sort of damp Sam, did something happen?"

"Yeah," Sam sighed dropping into a chair at the table resting his head in his hand.

"Don't keep me in suspense boy, what happened?"

"I only turned away for a moment…" Sam whispered looking up at Bobby with pain filled eyes. "He was in the river looking for rocks and I guess he slipped on one and fell into a deep pool of water. I went in after him and was able to grab his foot before the under lying current swept him away. I almost lost him Bobby," Sam gasped as tears filled his eyes.

"Sam, son, this wasn't your fault. It was an accident that could have happened to anyone. You know how slippery those rocks are in the water with the algae that builds up on them. It's easy to take one wrong step and under you go. You were quick on your feet and got to him in time. You saved his life Sam, that's what you should focus on. Don't dwell on what could have happened 'cause it didn't."

Sam listened to Bobby's lecture, knowing that he was right, but he still couldn't shake that feeling what if he hadn't been in time. A cold shiver ran up his back making him tremble for a moment as he drew in some deep breaths.

Bobby got up and looked in the back of the cabinet to get a bottle of Jack Daniels out. He found two glasses and poured a shot in each before returning to the table and sitting one glass in front of Sam.

"I think you could use this son," Bobby offered nodding to the glass.

"Thanks Bobby," said Sam, trying to give him a brief smile. He picked the glass up and swirled the amber liquid around before taking a tentative sip. He could feel the warmth of the burn all the way down to his stomach. He tossed the rest of it down in one gulp and coughed lightly, clearing his throat.

"You listen to me Sam, you can't let this one thing eat at you. You've got to get past it; if not for you, then for Dean. You've still got nine more days to take care of him."

"I know you're right Bobby. I'll try to do that," Sam nodded wiping a hand down his face and heaving a sigh. "I'm going to get a shower while Dean's still asleep. Can you watch him?"

"Of course, Sam. Take your time, I'll be in my office and will keep a check on him."

"Thanks." Sam got up slowly, feeling stiff and tired. He walked into the living room and checked on Dean to be sure he was okay before continuing to the stairs. He shuffled up them and into the bedroom for clean clothes before stepping across the hall to the bathroom.

spn

Bobby was sitting at his desk checking his email when a soft wail caught his attention coming from the other room. He got up and hurried into the room to see Dean flailing his arms and gasping for breath.

"Sam…" Dean's hoarse cry sounded again. "Help…"

"Dean, hey Sport, it's okay," Bobby called to him shaking his shoulder. "Wake up son."

Dean's eyes sprang open, and he looked around with a wild look in his eyes. He threw his small body into Bobby's arms and hugged him tightly.

"It's okay Sport, I've got you." Bobby scooped Dean up and moved to his recliner to sit down and let Dean snuggle into him. He raised the footrest to be more comfortable. He could feel the small body trembling under his hands and rubbed Dean's back. Bobby pulled the throw up around Dean's body to keep him warm.

"Where's Sam?" Dean whispered, his voice raspy.

"He's getting a shower. He'll be down in a bit. Sam told me what happened, are you okay?"

"Yeah. Is he still mad at me?"

"Dean, your brother's not mad at you. He was upset, but he's not blaming you for what happened. He's mad at himself for not stopping it from happening. Neither of you are to blame. It was an accident, pure and simple. Why don't you just rest some more until Sam comes back down?"

"Okay," Dean mumbled wiggling slightly as he got comfortable and closed his eyes.

Bobby continued to rub his back as he looked down at the boy, and memories of another time so long ago came to mind. He had done this exact thing, comforting Dean when their Daddy was late coming back from a hunt. Dean had been hard to console back then, like now. He could feel Dean's body relaxing and his breathing evening out as he drifted back to sleep. It wasn't long before Sam came back downstairs, his hair still damp from his shower and dressed in clean clothes.

"Hey, is he okay?" Sam asked quietly so not to disturb Dean.

"He had a bad dream," Bobby told him. "I think he was remembering falling in the water."

"Poor little guy," Sam commented. "Do you want me to take him?"

"Naw, I'm good, let him sleep. There's nothing pressing I need to do."

"Okay," Sam huffed sitting down on the couch. He looked around for a moment before getting up to turn on the television and switched through the channels that it picked up. He left it on a documentary about the Grand Canyon and sat back down. He looked over at Dean in Bobby's arms and smiled lovingly at him. "Was he ever like this growing up Bobby?" Sam took his cell and took a few photos of Bobby and Dean to capture the moment.

"Dean was a complex adult in a kid's body. He acted so tough and hardnosed but there was one thing he always made clear," Bobby told him. "You were his responsibility, and no one better hurt you, not even your Daddy. He took taking care of you very seriously."

"I don't remember a lot of that time, but I do remember Dean always being there for me and making sure I stayed safe. He protected me from knowing about the supernatural all those years until I read Dad's journal and confronted Dean about it. I was so mad for being kept in the dark…" Sam trailed off as he thought about that night that changed his life forever.

"He was trying to give you some normal in your life Sam. Dean talked to me a couple of times when you two stayed here. He didn't want you to be in the life, but your Dad thought differently. He fought with him demanding you be kept out of hunting."

"Dean always came up with these stories to why Dad would leave us alone at those awful motels or with you. He even told me he was a superhero out there saving people. And I guess in a way he was, at least in Dean's eyes."

"Sam…" Dean mumbled as he stirred in Bobby's arms, looking for him.

"Hey Buddy, I'm right here," Sam cooed to him as Bobby handed him off to Sam. He hugged Dean to his chest and adjusted the throw over him, feeling him scrunch tightly against him. Sam brushed Dean's hair back and kissed the top of his head, before laying his cheek on it. "I love you," he whispered.

"Why don't I run into town and get us dinner, that way no one has to cook tonight?" Bobby suggested, putting the footrest down on his recliner.

"That sounds good," Sam agreed glad he thought of it because he didn't feel like cooking dinner tonight.

"Anything special you want?"

"No, I'm good, just be sure to get a slice of pie for Dean."

"Would I forget the little fella? I know Dean's likes by now."

"Thanks Bobby," Sam told him gratefully.

"I'll head out in about an hour to pick it up."

They looked toward Bobby's office when a phone started ringing. Bobby pushed himself from the recliner and headed in there to answer it. Sam looked back to the television as the program continued on the Grand Canyon. He could feel the warmth of Dean's body through his T-shirt. It was quiet moments like this that Sam was enjoying more than anything.

A/N: Some cuddle time for Bobby too and Sam. He has only a fleeting time to enjoy Dean and give him a little normal childhood. Thanks for coming along for the journey. I do like reviews/comments. NC