Chapter 21

It was early morning and Sam had been tossing and turning all night long. He couldn't sleep as he thought about what was going to happen at midnight. He hoped it was as easy as Missouri said it was and that they wouldn't have any problems. He looked to the other bed to see Dean was still asleep at least. He coughed softly into his pillow and cleared his throat. Today was going to be about Dean and him, since it was Dean's last day as a five-year-old.

Sam quietly got up and found some clean clothes before stepping across the hall to the bathroom. He wanted to get a shower and hoped it would ease his tired, achy body and wake him up. He started the water and looked into the mirror at the reflection staring back at him. His eyes were slightly bloodshot, and his face looked haggard. He hung his head and closed his eyes, breathing deeply for a moment. Keeping up with Dean and taking care of him when he was sick was a tiring job and he praised Dean for doing that all those years when they were growing up. He had a greater respect for his brother now and was going to tell him that when he became an adult again.

After testing the water, Sam stripped out of his sleep clothes and stepped into the tub, letting the hot water wash over him. He stood there for a moment, letting the spray wet his hair before reaching for the shampoo. Once his hair was clean, he washed his body and rinsed it. Sam turned the water off and reached for a towel to dry with before stepping from the tub. He toweled his hair and ran his fingers through it to comb it. He dressed and glanced back into the bedroom to see Dean still asleep. He figured he wore himself out yesterday when they had the cookout and invited Jody over. He didn't take a nap and had played hard most of the time.

"Morning Sam," Bobby greeted him as he walked into the kitchen. "You're up early."

"Didn't sleep good last night," Sam replied going to the coffee pot to pour a cup and doctor it before taking a small sip.

"It's to be expected. You're worried about tonight and your brother."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's what it is."

"I've got to go pick up a couple of wrecks a town over, but I'll be back early afternoon so I can spend a little time with the boy."

"Alright, I know he'll enjoy it. You be careful Bobby."

"I will son, see you this afternoon." Bobby picked up a travel mug of coffee before heading for the door.

Sam looked around the kitchen for a moment trying to decide what to fix for breakfast. He still had some bacon left from yesterday he could fix and maybe waffles. He knew Dean would enjoy them. After getting out the waffle iron, Sam got out the ingredients for the waffle batter. He put on the bacon to cook and then mixed the batter together.

"Sam," Dean whined from the doorway.

"Hey Buddy," Sam greeted him. "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah," Dean nodded rubbing his eyes and yawning.

"I'm fixing waffles and bacon."

"I love bacon."

"I know that. That's why I'm fixing it for you."

"You're a good brother and take good care of me. I love you."

"Thank you Dean and I love you too. Let me get the waffles going," Sam told him as he poured batter into the waffle iron. He blinked back tears that came to his eyes, thinking that was not always the case. He had done some messed up things over the years.

He poured Dean a cup of milk and sat it on the table and took up the bacon, putting it on a paper towel to drain. He got two plates out and divided the bacon between the plates, giving Dean a couple of extra pieces. He kept an eye on the waffles and when it was ready, put it on a plate. He closed the iron so it could heat up again. After cutting the waffle for Dean, Sam added syrup and sat the plate in front of Dean. "There you go, eat up. I'll have my ready in a bit."

"Yum," Dean hummed spearing a piece of waffle and cramming it in his mouth. He chewed noisily as he bit off a bite of bacon smiling contently.

"Chew with your mouth shut Dean. Even if it's just us, you need to watch your manners."

"Okay." Dean pinched his lips together as he tried to chew and made a face since it was hard to do. He ate more while Sam waited on his waffle and finally joined him at the table.

"Where's Uncle Bobby?"

"He's gone to pick up a couple of wrecks, but he'll be back this afternoon. He wants to spend some time with you before you…" Sam caught himself before saying more that might confuse Dean.

"Will he read to me?" Dean asked not noticing Sam's slip.

"I'm sure he will if you ask him. Why don't we take a walk after we eat and get some fresh air and you can play with Rufus?"

"Yeah, that would be fun." Dean ate faster wanting to finish so they could go outside.

Sam put their dirty dishes in the sink and washed his hands and wiped Dean's hands before sending him upstairs to change clothes and put on his sneakers. He grabbed a treat for Rufus while he waited on Dean to come back down.

spn

"Rufus!" Dean called when they stepped onto the deck and into the backyard. "Rufus! Come play! Here boy!"

It wasn't but a minute and Rufus lumbered from around the wrecked vehicles and spotted Dean making a beeline toward him yipping and whining. He hit him, knocking him to the ground so he could love on him. Sam laughed as Dean pushed Rufus' slobbering mouth away from his face. He pulled his cell out and snapped pics of them playing and rolling around on the ground. Dean finally got to his knees when Rufus dropped to the ground and rolled onto his back for him to scratch his stomach.

"Okay, you've loved Rufus enough, let's walk."

"Can Rufus come too?"

"Yeah, we're not going into the woods, just around them. We'll walk the field and around the yard."

"Come on Rufus, you get to go too," Dean told the dog patting his stomach one last time before getting up. He slapped his leg as he ran ahead of Sam to get Rufus to follow.

Sam strolled along behind the two as they explored everything. Dean found a stick to throw for Rufus who decided he wasn't interested in fetch and ignored it. They waited at the gate for Sam so he could unlock it and let them out into the field. Dean and Rufus took off toward the edge of the woods.

"Stay in sight," Sam called to Dean before he got too far away. He walked around the edge of the field to the woods and headed to where Dean was squatting and looking at something on the ground. "What have you got there?" Sam questioned when he got closer.

"A dead bird," Dean answered as he started to reach to touch the body.

"No, don't!" Sam insisted, reaching to pull Dean back. "There's no telling what diseases it might have." They looked up when Rufus began to bark at the edge of the woods like he had treed something. "Let's go see what he's found."

"Okay," Dean agreed forgetting about the dead bird as he scampered away, leaving Sam behind.

"Do you see anything?" Sam asked once he caught up with Dean.

"I don't know," Dean replied looking up in the trees and then into the woods.

"What is it boy?" Sam asked Rufus, watching him sniff around and growl. He leaned closer and saw some paw prints in the dirt that led into the woods. "I think he smells a coyote or cougar," Sam told Dean, standing and scanning the woods for any danger.

"Really? Are they still around?" Dean asked excitedly stepping into the trees to look.

"No, they're probably gone now, but stay here in the field just in case. We don't need to tangle with a cougar."

"Alright." Dean stepped back into the field and had already lost interest and lopped away with Rufus on his heels.

Sam started after him, looking one more time into the woods feeling like something was watching him. He shivered slightly and hurried to catch up with Dean, not liking he was so far away. He jogged on around the edge and slowed to a fast walk when he was close enough to Dean to protect him. Sam was sure Rufus wouldn't let anything hurt him, but he didn't want to take that chance.

"Look Sam, isn't it neat?" Dean asked holding up a quartz rock that sparkled in the sun.

"Wow, that's nice Dean," Sam told him looking at the stone.

"Can I keep it?"

"Sure, you want me to carry it?"

"Yeah, please," Dean agreed handing him the rock before running off to look for more treasures. He found an arrowhead and several more interesting rocks that he wanted to keep.

They made their way slowly around the field as they continued to explore the area. When they got back to the gate, Sam let them in and locked it behind them. He told Dean to walk around the road by the buildings and back to the house. Sam had Dean stop at the Impala so he could get a picture of them together to add to his growing file of pics. He let him sit in the car like he was driving it and took a few of them together before he was finished.

"I'm thirsty Sam," Dean whined leaning back on the Impala with his arms out. He didn't see Sam take a quick photo before answering.

"Let's head inside and get something to drink then."

"And a snack?" Dean asked innocently looking up with curious eyes. "I'm a growing boy."

Sam had to laugh at Dean's antics and how he was manipulating him to get what he wanted. At least Sam knew where he got that from now. He remembered doing the same thing to Dean to get his way, those eyes worked every time.

"Come on Dean, I think I can find us a snack too." Sam dropped a hand to Dean's shoulder and guided him around the house to the deck. They went inside and Sam sent Dean to the bathroom to wash up before getting a snack. He pulled the rocks Dean had given him out of his pockets and placed them on the table. He was going to find a small box for Dean to store all the treasures he had collected so he could show them to him when he was back to normal.

spn

"Uncle Bobby!" Dean cried out when Bobby let himself into the house. "Will you read to me?"

"Dean, let Bobby get inside and maybe rest for a minute," Sam told him. "I'm sure he'll read to you in a bit."

"I will Sport, let me get settled and get something to drink. Why don't you pick out a book and wait on me?"

"Okay," Dean nodded going to the stack of books and looking for the one he wanted. He went to Bobby's recliner and sat down to wait on him.

"Do you want something to eat?" Sam asked Bobby.

"No, I got a sandwich on the way back. A drink is all I need."

"I'll get you a glass of tea or would you rather have coffee?"

"Tea's fine. Let me go use the bathroom and I'll go read to the boy."

"I'll get your tea and bring it to you." Sam fixed Bobby a glass of tea and brought it to the living room for him sitting it on an end table near his chair.

"Alright Sport," Bobby told Dean when he came back. "Let's see what you have there." He sat down in the recliner and let Dean crawl into his lap and settle. Bobby flipped the footrest up and opened the book to begin reading.

Sam waited until they were involved in the book before slipping his cell out and snapping photos of them together. He strolled back to the kitchen and pulled his laptop from his computer bag. He booted it up and looked for the cord to attach his cell to the laptop. He started downloading all the photos he had taken of Dean during this time to create an album for him. After that was done, he went to his email and found the photos that Jody had taken to add to his own. He wanted Dean to see all that had happened to him and the happiness he experienced.

After getting the photos all together, Sam slowly went through them deleting any that were out of focus or not worth saving. He had taken several each time to be sure and have a good one. Once he had the album done, Sam worked on putting it to music wanting to make this a gift for Dean. If he took anymore, he would add them later. Once Sam finished, he walked back into the living room to find Dean asleep in Bobby's arms. Bobby was sipping his tea as he gently rubbed Dean's back.

"Do you want me to take him?" Sam asked softly.

"Naw, let him sleep," Bobby replied. "This is going to be the last time I'll be able to do this. I don't think adult Dean will fit in the recliner with me."

"I understand," Sam nodded, giving him a brief smile. He looked toward the office when a phone started ringing. "I'll get it." Sam headed into the office to see who was calling to allow Bobby more time with Dean. Before he could answer the phone, Sam sneezed hard and grabbed a tissue to blow his nose.

"Hello, Singer Salvage," Sam greeted the caller.

"Samuel, it's good to hear your voice," a warm, female voice spoke to him.

"Missouri, how are you?"

"I am fine. I was calling to check on everyone. I know you'll be doing the ritual tonight."

"Yeah, Bobby and I have been spending extra time with Dean today since it'll be our last time with him this young."

"I understand child. Have you told him anything yet?"

"No, I was going to after we eat dinner. He's napping right now in Bobby's lap."

"Bobby's a softy when it comes to you boys. I could tell every time he talked about you two over the years. I wish I could have come up to see Dean, but I've been tied up here helping a friend."

"That's fine, I know you would have enjoyed seeing him too. I made a digital photo album for Dean to see later. I'll be sure and send you a copy so you can see what fun he had just being a kid."

"Why thank you Samuel, I will enjoy it. Do you have any questions about what you need to do?

"No, it's fairly simple, I just hope it works."

"Be positive Samuel, you have to believe in yourself that you can do it."

"I'm trying," Sam sighed, suppressing a soft cough before continuing. "I just hope Dean will understand what I want him to do and doesn't pitch a fit."

"Don't sell your brother short Samuel. I think he will do as you ask because he trusts you and he loves you."

"Thanks Missouri for the vote of confidence."

"You have Bobby call me tomorrow, so I know if it worked and if you boys are okay."

"I will Missouri. And I hope it's good news." Sam turned his head and coughed again harder. It felt like his head was getting congested and sniffed before looking for a tissue to wipe his nose.

"Tell Bobby and Dean hello for me. Goodbye Samuel."

"Bye Missouri." Sam hung the phone up and sat back in the chair as he went over in his head what he needed to do after midnight tonight. He thought about how to explain to Dean what he needed to do and why. He got up and headed back into the living room to tell Bobby about the call.

spn

"I'm going to talk to Dean," Sam told Bobby as he finished washing the dinner dishes and putting them away.

"Do you want me to help?" Bobby questioned.

"No, I think it's best I do it on my own."

"Alright son, you're probably right."

"Guess I better get it over with," Sam sighed softly as he dried his hands. He looked into the living room to see Dean in the floor playing with his cars. "Dean, wanna come outside with me?"

"Okay," Dean replied pushing his cars to the side out of the way before getting up.

"Let's go sit in the swing," Sam suggested opening the backdoor and letting them onto the deck. He let Dean run by him to the swing where he climbed onto the seat and started rocking it. Sam sat down and let the swing sway back and forth as he gathered his thoughts before speaking. "Dean, I need to talk to about something very important and I need you to listen carefully."

"Okay," Dean replied as he looked at Sam with trusting eyes.

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"And you know I would never do anything to hurt you, right?"

"Yes."

"There's something I am going to need you to do for me. Something happened a few weeks ago that changed you and what I help you do tonight will change you back. I'll explain it to you once it's all over with. Is that okay?"

"Okay, I trust you Sam. I love you."

"I know you do Dean and I love you to, so much. It's simple, I need to prick your finger and make it bleed a little. It might hurt for a moment, but then it'll stop. And then all you need to do is reset the old pocket watch you played with, and I'll show you where to stop it."

"That's it?" Dean asked.

"Yep, and then you can go to bed and things will be different in the morning. But this needs to be done after midnight tonight for the magic to work."

"I get to stay up that late," Dean questioned. "Will I see the magic?"

"No, you can nap, and I'll wake you thirty minutes before it's time and no, it's not really magic you can see, but it is magic."

"Okay, I know I can do that. I'm smart."

"Good, I knew you were a strong, brave, and smart brother. Why don't we stay out a little longer and enjoy the evening?"

"Okay, will there be fireflies again tonight?"

"Probably, we'll have to wait and see. I think it's almost time, why don't you watch out in the yard and see." Sam watched Dean go to the railing and lean on it as he gazed eagerly into the yard for fireflies. He went into the yard when Rufus came down the path and played with him before they started chasing fireflies.

spn

"Dean, wake up, it's time," Sam spoke softly to him as he shook his shoulder. "Come on Buddy, you need to wake up?"

"Yeah," Dean mumbled sitting up to rub his eyes sleepily as he looked at Sam. "Is it time for the magic?"

"Why don't you go to the bathroom first and we'll join Bobby in the kitchen. How about some hot chocolate to drink to get you awake?"

"Okay," Dean nodded sitting on the couch for a moment before shuffling to the bathroom. When he came back, Sam was waiting on him and led him to the kitchen.

"Let's get you seated, and I'll get your drink." Sam busied himself making the hot chocolate and added enough cold milk to cool it for Dean. "Here you go."

"Thanks," Dean mumbled sipping some of the drink and licking his lips.

Bobby had put a cloth on the table and put the curse box in the middle of it. He watched Dean closely eyeing everything and could see the wheels turning in his head. Even this young, he could see the wisdom hidden behind those eyes and wondered if he was remembering anything about his adult life. It was like he could catch a glimpse of the true Dean in there.

Sam paced the kitchen as he kept an eye on the time. He didn't want to do the ritual too early and risk losing their one chance of getting Dean back. He watched Dean as he drank his hot chocolate and tried to hide his uneasiness so not to upset him.

"All done," Dean announced a little later holding his cup so Sam could see.

"That's good Buddy. Are you about ready?" Sam asked him looking to the clock watching the time slowly tick by. He looked through the window and saw the brightness of the blood moon shining outside, casting a reddish looking glow over everything. The witching hour was almost here, and the ritual could be done.

Sam looked to Bobby to confirm that it was time and got a nod from him. He stepped to the table and put on a thin pair of gloves so he could handle the watch without any consequences to him.

"Dean, are you ready?" Sam asked as he pulled a chair up beside him.

"Yes, I can do this," Dean spoken solemnly.

Sam pulled the curse box to him and opened the lid to revel the gold pocket watch. He carefully picked it up and opened it to reveal the face of the watch.

"Okay son, I'm going to prick your finger and it's going to sting a little," Bobby told Dean taking a small pocketknife he had sterilized. He took Dean's hand and pinched Dean's index finger so he could make a small cut. He squeezed the finger making blood weld up and held it over the face of the watch Sam was holding. After three drops fell onto it, Bobby stopped so Sam could finish it.

"Now Dean, I want you to turn the nob on top slowly until the long hand reaches the number five. It's right here," Sam pointed to the number. "It's okay if you get blood on it."

"Alright," Dean nodded using his small fingers to grasp the nob and slowly started to move the long hand watching until it was to the number five at Sam's finger and stopped.

"Very good Dean," Sam praised him. He closed the watch and laid it on a bandana to take upstairs with them. He wasn't sure if the watch needed to be in the room with Dean but was going to air on the cautious side. "Let me see your finger and clean the cut."

"I was brave," Dean told him as he held his finger out.

"Yes, you were bro," Sam replied. He took an alcohol wipe and cleaned his finger checking it to see it had already stopped bleeding. "It's time for bed now, so you can get a good night's sleep."

"Not sleepy. Will you read to me?"

"Yes, a couple of chapters and then sleep." Sam picked Dean up and grabbed the bandana with the watch and carried them to the stairs. He shifted Dean's weight slightly before climbing them as Dean cuddled into his neck. "Go on and brush your teeth," Sam told him, sitting him down in the hall.

Dean went into the bathroom to use it and brush his teeth while Sam went across the hall to the bedroom. He placed the watch on the dresser near the back until morning when he would return it to its box. He turned Dean's bed down and realized that he couldn't wear his pajamas because when he grew, they would be way too small. He wasn't sure how he would take going to bed naked.

"All done," Dean announced coming into the bedroom.

"Good. Now let's get you into bed. You're not going to need your pajamas tonight."

"I'm not?"

"No, you're not, you'll understand in the morning why. Take your clothes off and climb into the bed." Sam turned his back and waited while Dean did as ask and crawled under the covers.

"I'm ready," Dean said.

"Alright," Sam replied. "Now your briefs too."

"I have to take them off?"

"Afraid so, I know this sounds strange to you, but I'll explain it all in the morning."

"Okay…" Dean huffed doing as Sam asked. He wiggled around and pulled them from under the covers and dropped them on the floor. He got settled on his pillow and scooted over so Sam could lay down beside him to read.

"We're almost finished with this book too," Sam noted picking it up from the nightstand so he could find where they left off and began to read to Dean. By the third chapter when Sam looked down, he saw Dean was asleep and slipped from his bed tucking the covers around him. He coughed softly and cleared his throat thinking the reading made it dry. He changed into sleep pants and laid on top of the covers on his side in the other bed so he could watch Dean, but it wasn't long before he was asleep too. Exhaustion carried him away to Neverland.

A/N: The ritual is done and now for the wait to see if it worked. One more chapter and this ride will be over. Thank you to everyone who left me reviews and read the story. I do like reviews/comments. NC