A/N: Thank you for the prayers and kind thoughts, my father passed away last night. NC

Chapter 20

Dean woke up and rubbed his eyes as he coughed lightly. His fever had finally broke, after the third day and he was feeling better after six days of being sick. He still had a cough at night when he laid down, but he was almost back to his old self. He got up and went to the bathroom before going to stand at the other bed Sam was sleeping in.

"Sam, are you awake?" Dean asked softly shaking his arm.

"Mmmm…" Sam grumbled. He was still exhausted from taking care of Dean and staying up most of the nights with him. He rolled over to his side and ignored the small voice talking to him.

"I'm hungry," Dean whined and pouted when Sam didn't answer him. He left him alone and headed downstairs to get something to eat. Dean looked in the fridge, got out the gallon of milk, and sat it on the table. He pushed a chair to the counter and climbed on it to get to the dishes and cereal and then a spoon from the drawer. He took them to the table and climbed onto his chair so he could reach everything. Dean got the cereal open and poured a bowl full, spilling some on the table. The milk was heavy, and Dean slouched it onto his cereal and across the table. He pushed it aside and began to eat his overflowing bowl of milk and cereal.

"What you doing there Dean?" Bobby asked when he walked into the kitchen seeing the mess on the table.

"I wus hu'gry," Dean mumbled around a mouth of cereal as he continued to eat.

"And where's your brother?"

"Sl'ping."

"Well, why don't we clean up this mess you got here?" Bobby went to the sink and wet a dish towel so he could wipe the spilled milk and cereal from the table. He shook the towel over the trashcan before rinsing it and wiping the table again. "There, that's better."

"I'm sorry," Dean told him.

"It's okay son, no need crying over a little spilled milk. At least it didn't end up in the floor." Bobby put the milk back in the fridge and then went to the coffee pot and started it. "Are you full yet or can you eat some scrambled eggs?" he asked Dean.

"Eggs, please," Dean replied pushing away his bowl that still had soggy cereal in the bottom of it.

"I'd say you're on the mend if you've got your appetite back," Bobby chuckled softly. He got the eggs out and a frying pan. Once they were cooked, Bobby divided them between two plates and took them to the table, sitting one in front of Dean. "There you go, eat what you want, but don't make yourself sick."

"Okay," Dean nodded using his spoon to eat his eggs. He ate most of them before stopping and pushing the plate away. "I full," Dean sighed contently.

"Good. You wanna help me in the garage since yer brother's still in bed?"

"Yeah," Dean perked up smiling excitedly. "I'll be a good helper."

"Go upstairs and change clothes and put your shoes on then."

"Okay." Dean scooted from the chair and scurried out of the room to do as asked. He skidded to a stop at the bedroom door and looked in to be sure Sam was still asleep. Dean crept into the room on tiptoes to gather his clothes and sneakers. He went into the bathroom to use it and change clothes. Once he was done, he headed back downstairs to find Bobby.

"You ready Sport?" Bobby asked.

"Yep," Dean chirped hopping beside him until he leaned over coughing hard for a moment.

"Still got that cough, I see," Bobby commented. "Go grab some tissue and blow your nose before we go out."

"Alright," Dean replied going to the end table and pulling several tissues out. He blew his nose a couple of times and dropped the used tissue into the trashcan. "I'm ready."

"Then let's go."

Dean took Bobby's hand and they headed out the door, down the steps, and toward the garage. He liked going to the garage with Bobby. He treated him like an adult, not like a kid. It was fun working on the cars with him and learning about how to fix them. He absorbed everything Bobby told him and wanted more.

spn

Awareness came slowly to Sam, and he stretched his body and rolled over in bed. He yawned and ground his fists into his eyes trying to get the sleep crude from them and wake up. He glanced toward the window to see brightness streaming around the edge of the curtains. When he looked to the other bed, he saw it was empty with no sign of Dean anywhere. A tinge of fear crept into his mind when he didn't see him.

"Dean," Sam called looking toward the hallway as he swung his legs off the bed. He got up and headed across the hall to the bathroom. Once he was done, Sam put on some clothes and headed downstairs to find the house empty. "Dean?" he called looking in the kitchen and then the office. He didn't see any note and wondered where they were. He was sure Dean was with Bobby, at least he hoped so.

The next place he was going to look was the garage and headed for the front door and down the steps. He strolled down the driveway and saw the rollup door was opened on one of the bays and stepped inside, letting his eyes adjust to the difference in light. He saw Bobby's legs sticking out from under a jacked-up car and then saw the bottom of Dean's sneakers right beside him.

"Hey guys," Sam called to them. "Dean why didn't you wake me?"

"I tried," Dean replied from under the car. "You wouldn't wake up."

"I found him fixing his own breakfast," Bobby noted as he slid from under the car.

"How big a mess did he make?" Sam questioned with a slow sigh.

"Just some spilled milk and cereal," Bobby told him. "Nothing that couldn't be easily cleaned up."

"I was thinking since we've only got two days before, you know," Sam started looking to Dean who had slid from under the car too. "I thought we could have a cookout and invite Jody."

"I want Jody to come," Dean butted in. "She promised me pie."

"I think that's a good idea," Bobby agreed knowing now much Jody enjoyed spending time with young Dean.

"I'll need to run into town to get food and I'll go by and ask Jody to come."

"I want to come," Dean begged grabbing onto Sam's shirt and looking up at him with big soulful eyes.

"I don't know…" Sam started.

"Let the boy go," Bobby told him. "I don't think anything will happen to him. Like you said, we only have two more days."

"Pleaseeeee…" Dean whined.

"Okay," Sam gave in with a huff. "First, you need to go to the bathroom. Come on bro. We'll back later Bobby." Sam held his hand out to Dean, and they headed back to the house.

"Okay, you two be careful," Bobby called to them before going back to working on the car.

Sam took Dean inside and sent him to the bathroom while he went to get his wallet and cell. He met him in the foyer, and they headed out to the Impala. Sam put Dean in the back and buckled him in. He got in the driver's seat and cranked her to head into town.

"Are we going to see Jody?" Dean asked from the back.

"Yes, we have to find her first. I'll drive by the sheriff's office and see if her SUV is there, if not, I'll text her and see if she can meet us somewhere."

"Okay. I love Jody."

"I do too bro," Sam agreed glancing back at Dean and smiling. He looked back at the road and continued to the sheriff station. He pulled into the parking lot and looked around for her SUV. He saw it and then saw Jody coming from the building.

"There!" Dean cried out pointing to Jody. "Stop! Stop!" he demanded pressing on his seatbelt to get loose. When Sam stopped the Impala behind Jody's SUV, Dean got his door opened and ran for Jody to throw his arms around her waist.

"Dean, what a surprise," Jody laughed squatting down to hug him. "What are you doing here?"

"You have to come to cookout," Dean told her. "Please. You promised we'd make pie."

"Hey Jody," Sam greeted her after getting out of the car.

"Hi Sam, Dean says you're having a cookout."

"Yeah, tomorrow and was hoping you'd come."

"I'd love to. What are you having so I can bring something?"

"I figure hamburger and hot dogs."

"Okay, I'll bring some potato salad, baked beans, and fixings so Dean and I can make a pie," she said looking down at Dean's adorable face staring up at her.

"Yeah! I love you Jody," Dean told her.

"And I love you too sweetie," she replied giving him a big hug and kiss.

"Come on Dean, we need to do some shopping," Sam told him.

"Okay, bye Jody," Dean said before going back to the car.

"I'll see you tomorrow afternoon Sam," Jody said.

"That's fine, come on over when you want so you can see Dean one more time. The full moon is the day after tomorrow."

"You know I'd love that."

"See you then, bye." Sam headed back to the car and checked Dean to be sure he was buckled in before getting in and heading to the store. He found parking that adult Dean would approve of, knowing how he loathed his Baby getting dinged in a parking lot. "Dean, you can push the buggy when we get inside, and you have to stay with it. No wandering off, okay?"

"Okay," Dean agreed taking Sam's hand and walking with him toward the store. When they got inside, he looked around with huge eyes at all the displays, colors, and people with buggies. He felt exceedingly small in this adult world.

"Here we go, you push, and I'll walk beside you," Sam instructed him after pulling a buggy from a row of them. He waited for Dean to get behind it and began to push it through the store. "Watch out for people and don't hit anyone," Sam cautioned him. "We'll hit the meat department first to get ground beef and hotdogs."

"I want bacon on my hamburger," Dean piped up in a loud voice.

"Okay bro, but you don't have to be that loud," Sam chastised him seeing customers turning to look at them. "Inside voice, okay."

"Okay," Dean whispered as he tried to steer the buggy.

Sam kept a grip on the side to help Dean drive the buggy and to be sure he didn't hit a display or person. He stopped at the meat counter and looked through the selection before picking up two things of ground beef and moved to the cases to find hotdogs and bacon."

"We'll need tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and cheese," Sam mumbled as he went over his list in his head. He was going to grab a six pack of beer for when Dean re-aged thinking he would need it, and probably something stronger after he found out what happened to him.

Sam wandered through the store picking up the rest of the items for their cookout and a few things he needed that he was running low on. He stopped at a display of magazines to check out puzzle books and took his eyes off Dean for a moment.

"Okay, that should do it…." he told Dean as he dropped the book into the cart but froze when he saw Dean wasn't by the buggy. "Dean," Sam called looking around quickly for him. He moved to look down the row of books as his heart started pounding and fear gripped it. Sam sighed with relief when he saw Dean sitting on the floor in front of a display of books looking at a book. "There you are dude; you scared the crap out of me. I thought you were lost," Sam told him, leaning over to help him from the floor.

"Sorry, I wanted to see the book," said Dean in a sorrowful voice. "Look," he said holding the book for Sam to see. It had pictures of dinosaurs on the cover that any child would want to see.

"I see," Sam signed, letting his adrenaline rush calm. "Do you want to get it?"

"No," Dean mumbled hanging his head and putting the book back. "I was bad."

"You weren't bad Dean, you were being a curious kid," Sam told him. He reached to get the book and added it to the cart. "What say we get out of here?"

"Yeah, maybe Uncle Bobby will read to me."

"I'm sure he will bro."

"Sam, can I get Jody a flower?" Dean asked when they passed a cooler filled with flowers of all kinds. "She is my girlfriend."

"Sure, why not," Sam agreed stopping and looking at what they had to offer. "So, what do you want to get her?"

Dean moved to the cooler and began to slowly look over all the flowers before pointing to a peach colored rose.

"I like that one," Dean decided.

"Alright, good choice. Let me get a bag here to put it in," Sam replied pulling a clear bag from a display and picked two of the best looking peach roses. He looked at the small vases and chose one that wasn't expensive to put them in when they got home. "Okay, let's go check out and I'll let you hold the roses on the way home, so they won't get messed up."

"Okay," Dean nodded studying the roses Sam had picked to be sure they looked good.

They headed for the front of the store to check out and head home.

spn

"Sam, Sam, wake up," Dean spoke loudly as he shook his arm. "I need shower," he insisted pulling on his arm.

"Don't you ever sleep in?" Sam mumbled as he opened one eye to look at Dean looking at him.

"Jody coming today, I need shower," Dean explained again pulling the covers off Sam.

"Okay, give me a second to wake up," Sam yawned as he stretched and rolled his shoulder. He watched Dean go to the dresser and look through his clothes for something to wear. He couldn't help but smile at his actions, thinking he had it bad for Jody.

"Are you up?" Dean asked sternly with a huff.

"Yes, Dean, let's got get you a shower," Sam replied throwing his legs off the bed to sit on the side for a moment before getting up and following Dean to the bathroom. "Let me use the commode and I'll start your water." Sam did his business and then turned on the water, adjusting the temperature for him. "Alright, there you go."

Dean had taken off his pajamas and after Sam turned away dropped his Batman briefs and stepped into the tub. He stood under the spray wetting his hair so he could shampoo it and then washed his body. He heard Sam cough on the other side of the curtain and knew he was still there. Once he rinsed good, Dean turned the water off and accepted a towel that Sam stuck around the curtain for him.

"Do you want me to help dry you?" Sam asked.

"Yeah, can't do back," Dean replied.

Sam pulled the curtain back and took one end of the towel to run it over Dean's head and back before helping him to step from the tub. He made sure he was dry enough to put on his clothes before heading back to the bedroom to get dressed himself.

"Do you want bacon and eggs for breakfast since I have to cook the bacon for the burgers anyway?"

"Yes please. When will Jody be here?"

"It'll be after lunch. She had to fix what she's going to bring, and I think she was working half a day."

"And we have to make pies."

"Yes, you two can make a pie," Sam laughed. "Why don't you grab a book to look at while I get breakfast ready?"

"Okay." Dean ran to the stack of books by the couch and looked through them before deciding which one he wanted. He headed into the kitchen and Sam settled him in his chair so he look at his book while he cooked.

Sam looked over at Dean knowing tomorrow was the last day he would be small. At midnight he would have Dean do the ritual that Missouri gave them and hope by morning he would have his brother back. He was sad and happy at the same time knowing it was for the best. He needed Dean back the way he was so he could be the big brother again.

"Morning boys," Bobby greeted them.

"Uncle Bobby, look," Dean told him holding up his book.

"I see, that's a mean looking dinosaur," Bobby nodded. "Sam, I need to take some parts to a couple of garages in Sioux City; I'll be back this afternoon."

"Okay Bobby, I'm going to get everything ready to grill and just hang around here with Dean until Jody gets here."

"Jody and me are making a pie," Dean beamed.

"And I bet it will be a good one," Bobby surmised ruffling his hair.

"Be careful," Sam said.

"If I run into any problems, I'll give you a call. See ya later boys." Bobby headed for the front door leaving the brothers alone in the kitchen.

When the bacon was done, Sam scrambled eggs and made toast for their breakfast. When they finished eating, he got out the ground beef to make the hamburgers. He wanted to get all the prep work done and food ready to cook so he wouldn't be rushed later. He still had to clean the grill from the last time it was used.

spn

"Winchesters!" a female voice called from the foyer.

"Jody!" Dean screamed when he heard her voice. "You're here!"

"That I am sweetie, and how are you today?"

"Hey Jody, let me take those bags for you," Sam greeted her relieving her of her load.

"Thank Sam."

"Uncle Bobby had to go away but he'll be back."

"Is that so? I'm sure he won't want to miss all the tasty food we are going to have."

"I know. Did you bring stuff for pie?"

"Yes, I did and give me a couple of good hugs before we get started on them."

"Okay," Dean giggled wrapping his arms around Jody's neck. "I got you something, 'cause you're my girlfriend," Dean told Jody as he pulled her into the kitchen. "Here you go," Dean beamed proudly holding the vase with the two roses in it out to Jody.

"Why Dean these are beautiful. I love them," Jody praised him accepting the flowers as she leaned down to hug him.

Sam was watching them and grabbed his cell to take some photos. He smiled at Jody when she looked at him seeing the love in her eyes for his brother.

"Come on Dean, let Jody breath," Sam told him. "I've cleaned the kitchen once I was done prepping so you should be good to go Jody."

"Thanks Sam. Come on Dean, let's wash our hands and we'll get started on those pies."

"Yeah!"

Sam moved out of the way and watched, taking photos as Jody and Dean prepared the pies and got them in the oven.

"I brought some more bubbles Dean. How about we all go outside while the pies cook and play?"

"Can we Sam? Please?" Dean begged.

"Sure thing," Sam agreed.

"Why don't you play with Dean and give me your cell," Jody suggested. "You know you need some shots of you two together too."

"Thanks," Sam nodded giving her his cell. "Okay let's see what we have here," Sam told Dean. He got the bubble paddle from before and poured the liquid into the pan so he could dip the paddle and wave it through the air.

"Look Sam! Look!" Dean screamed as bubbles floated through the air above his head. He shrieked in delight as he ran around trying to pop them. His loud voice brough Rufus from his doghouse to join in the fun. Sam made the bubbles and Dean and Rufus chased them. The wind picked up and blew some higher in the air and Dean ran around the yard waiting for them to float down low enough to pop.

By the time Dean was too tired to chase any more, Jody told them the pies should be ready and needed to be checked. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of the pies, which were golden brown and looked delicious. Sam gave Dean a drink and snack and made him sit and rest since he was red faced and still coughing occasionally. He didn't want him to have a relapse when they were so close to the time to change him back.

spn

"I gotta say you two outdid yourselves with the meal," Bobby announced as he pushed his plate away and rubbed his full stomach. "That was some good eating."

"It was, thanks for helping Jody," Sam added.

"My pleasure. I'm not one to turn down an afternoon with three handsome men," she teased giving Dean a hug and wiping his mouth of the ketchup that was on it.

"It's good," Dean mumbled trying to chew and talk at the same time.

"Dean, manners," Sam scolded him but smiled.

"How have things be going in town Jody?" Bobby asked.

"Nothing major, thank goodness pretty much the same old things. It's actually been a quite couple of weeks."

"You know what we're going to do when it gets dark?" Sam asked Dean.

"No, what?" Dean questioned perking up.

"Well, the fireflies come out at dusk and the stars will start coming out soon afterwards. We can star gaze."

"Really? Can we do it now?"

"First the food has to be put away and kitchen cleaned."

"Why don't you and Bobby go on out and I'll help Sam," Jody suggested. "It'll be quicker with two people."

"Come on Uncle Bobby, I want to see fireflies," said Dean sliding from his chair and grabbing Bobby's hand.

"Alright son let's see if any are coming out yet. Now, we might have to wait a bit longer for the sun to go down a little more."

Sam got up and started taking the bowls to the kitchen while Jody got the dirty dishes. He found containers to put away the leftovers and wiped down the counters, stove, and table while Jody started the dishes. It didn't take them long to finish since they had used paper plates and plastic cups.

"I'll start a pot of coffee to have with the pie," Sam told her. "I think everyone needs to let their food settle before having any."

"I'm with you on that one Sam. Good thing I wore my loose pants," she laughed. She looked at Sam and saw him smile, but he had sadness in his eyes too. "You're going to miss him, aren't you?"

"Yeah," Sam sighed. "I'm glad I got to spend this time with him and give him a little chance at the childhood he didn't get, but I'm anxious to have my big brother back."

"That's a normal reaction Sam. You did an excellent job taking care of him and I know he'll appreciate it.

"Sam, Jody, the fireflies are coming out," Dean yelled through the screen door. "Come on."

"Looks like we're being summoned," Sam laughed softly.

They went outside and took seats while Dean ran around the yard chasing the fireflies as they came from the ground. He was careful and didn't hurt them when he got them to land on his hands. Sam snapped photos as long as he could until they were gone.

Bobby and Jody went in and fixed plates with pie and cups of coffee for everyone but Dean who got milk and they ate their dessert on the deck watching the stars come out. Dean crawled into Jody lap and made himself comfortable and went to sleep. Sam offered to take him, but Jody refused wanting to have this last time with Dean. She kissed the top of his head and rocked him, trying to get all the Dean time she could before she had to leave. They stayed outside for another hour until it was time for everyone to turn in for the night. Bobby and Sam bid Jody goodbye and Sam took Dean upstairs to put in bed. He was tired, but it was a good tired and one he would remember.

A/N: A nice bonding chapter and fun time before they get ready to do the ritual to make Dean big again. Hope you have liked a look at what Dean didn't have growing up and enjoyed the read. Thank you to any guests who have left reviews. I do like reviews/comments. NC