Disclaimer: refer to chapter one

Side Note: The quote used was by Dodie Smith.

Chapter Fourteen

Requiem

By Dawn Nyberg

"The family … that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape…"

Ivy Ridge, Later that Evening

John sat down the hall from Sam's room. His mind was still trying to work out a solution to get his boys back. He had hoped that Sam would have been the bridge back to Dean, but when their conversation had gone so terribly wrong things went down the drain quickly, and that possibility seemed hopeless now. He got up and walked quietly down to Sam's room. He knew he was pushing his luck, but if he didn't keep pushing, he felt he'd lose his boys forever. Dean felt a presence and turned around in his chair by his brother's bed. His eyes met John's, but the older man stayed outside Sam's room. He saw Sam's head was lulled to the side and he was sound asleep. Dean glanced at his brother and got up approaching John. His voice was low as he walked out into the hall.

"I don't want you here," his voice was insistent.

"I just wanted to see how he's doing. Did he wake up yet?"

"You had seven months to ask how's he's doing and to check up on him. I asked the doctor how many times you'd called and she said twice Dad. Two times since Sam was admitted, and this newest call doesn't matter. She said you called before he came here and a couple days after he was admitted, and then nothing."

"Dean, son," John began. "Look, I know I made some mistakes. I screwed up. I've all ready admitted that."

"What? You want a cookie or something. Whoopee freakin' do, John Winchester admits he was wrong and that he's a screw up," Dean hissed keeping his voice quiet. It was late and most of the residents were asleep. "And, what, suddenly everything should be rainbows and sunshine, up yours!" Dean ground out.

"I didn't say that Dean. Look, I'm not going anywhere, all right. And, look here Mister all high and mighty have you bothered to tell your brother about the moments before he collapsed, huh? Have you told him what you said to him, how you treated him? I know he doesn't remember the doctor told me when I spoke to her earlier this evening, and I asked about Sam's memory. She said he has no recollection of the hospital after the wreck. Well, cat got your tongue?"

"You sonofabitch," he hissed. "Yeah, I screwed up, I admit that, and yeah, someday I'll tell Sam when it's safe to tell him. But, you come in here after bailing on us seven months ago, and tell Sam about Meadowbrook, and get him so upset that he has a seizure worse than any he has ever had in here. So… you sanctimonious piece of shit, did you tell Sam what you said to him at the hospital, huh?"

"I will," John offered. "When he's ready to hear it."

"Haven't you hurt him enough? Done enough damage? If you say or do one more thing that sets back his recovery I will make you pay. Dr. Myers all ready wants to keep him an additional week now because of that damn seizure, and see how he does on his medication. And, it's your entire fault."

"Dean, you may not believe this, but you boys are the best thing in my life. The most important thing."

"You can go sell crazy somewhere else Dad, we're all full up here," Dean said flipping his hand above his head indicating the level of being fed up he was.

"I…" John felt his mouth go dry, but he had to say it, after all, he meant what he was about to say. "I love you boys, both of you Dean. I know I've been a lousy Dad since your Mom passed. I know that I've let that damn demon become a priority and both you boys suffered for it. I know this. Look I'll give up looking for the damn thing, I will. I just want my boys back." Dean stood looking at his father considering his words, but the quiet sleep inflected voice of his brother calling his name pulled his mind from further consideration on his father's words. Dean quickly turned and went to his brother.

"I'm right here Sammy," Dean soothed. He reached up and pushed back his brother's bangs. John stood in the dim shadows outside the door and watched. Dean had changed over the long months. It was clear that he no longer withheld emotional bonding from Sam. Dean Winchester had let some of his stoic nature slip away. He decided to give his boys some privacy and stepped back. He went back to the sitting area to wait.

"Dean?"

"Yeah?" he answered quietly.

"Ddd…don't be mmm…mad," Sam replied.

"Mad? Sammy, you didn't do anything wrong kiddo. Why would I be mad?"

"Not that … I nnn…need," Sam took a breath. "I'm rrr…ready ttt…to talk. I www…want to ttt…talk to him."

"Who? Dad? Sammy, he upset you so bad you had a seizure. There's no way in hell I'm letting you talk to him. I don't even want him around you."

"Mmm…my choice," Sam said quietly. "Isn't it?" Dean sighed and looked at his brother. He scrubbed a hand over his weary face. He had been calling the shots for so long in Sam's life now. By not just being his brother, but his legal guardian while he was incapacitated that he'd forgotten that his brother was capable of making his own decisions now to a certain degree. It wasn't that he saw his brother as incompetent, but even Dr. Myers had said that cognitively Sam still had some delays, and it had just seemed a given that Dean made the important decisions, and until this moment Sam had never asserted himself.

"I don't like it, Sammy." Dean replied. "I don't want you hurt. He walked out on us, on you, you heard him. He even admitted it."

"I know he did. Sorry, yyy…you got sss…stuck dealing with all ttt…this."

"No, Sammy, I didn't mean for you to think I was stuck. I wasn't kiddo. Come hell or high water I wasn't going to go anywhere all those months ago. Dad staying or going meant nothing toward me staying with you. I wasn't stuck dealing with you Sam. You're my brother and you'd had done the same for me. Geez, I think this conversation is a broken record with us. You're not some responsibility I was saddled with, okay? See what being around that ass for just a short while has done to you. Damn him."

"I know… you … mad with him," Sam's sentences were fragmenting, but Dean knew at times it was just simpler for his little brother, and often helped with the stuttering to a degree. "I under…stand why. I'm mad ttt…too."

"Good," Dean answered satisfied. "You should be. What he did … a parent doesn't do, at least not one worth anything. He left Sam. He couldn't hack it."

"I know, but…"

"But, nothing Sammy! That bastard bailed on us, on you. You sound like you want to forgive him or something. Act like nothing happened. You seized today because he upset you so much. He was the reason your seizure escalated."

"Dean please," Sam began. "I'm mad about him www…wanting to ppp…put me in a home. But… I was in a coma …I didn't have to watch him ggg…go. You did. Dad, was always bbb…bigger than life ttt…to you. Me and him … we fight, always hhh…have. It diff…different for you." Dean shook his head.

"No, Sammy, you may have been in a coma, but you're awake now. You know what he did and where he wanted to put you. It's not different for me … it isn't."

"Hard…er for you Dean. You're lying ttt…to your…self if you say I'm nnn…not right. You fff…feel bbb…be…betrayed. Dad just ccc…couldn't handle it."

"He should have been able to handle anything Sammy. You're his son, and he should have been able to handle things no matter how hard they got. I did, for fuck's sake. I handled it. I sat with you, turned you, talked to you. Hell, I've shaved you when you needed it. And, when you could eat, I fed you until you could feed yourself. Dad, wasn't here for any of that. I was."

"I know you did those thh…things. I'm thh…thank…ful…" Dean cut his little brother off.

"No, Sammy, I don't want you thanking me for something that should be automatic. You take care of family. You do what you do because it's family. You're my little brother. There isn't anything I …" Dean turned his face away.

"I know … there isn't aaa…any…thing I www…wouldn't do for yyy…you either." Dean turned back and looked at his brother.

"I can't forgive and forget Sammy … I can't," Dean paused his eyes growing intense. "I won't." Sam nodded and gave Dean a knowing smile.

"Nnn…not asking yyy…you to. I under…stand. But…"

"But, you want to see the bastard and talk to him," Dean replied.

"Need ttt…to do this," Sam answered. "Alone." Dean leveled a look on is brother.

"Sam," his was voice serious. His little brother just looked at him with his big dark eyes, and he relented. "Fine," he grumbled. Sam put out a hand and placed it on his brother's forearm.

"You mad at me?"

"Nah, Sammy," Dean answered.

"I don't www…want to … hurt you." Sam's voice and eyes were so sincere that it made Dean ache inside. "I jjj…just have to … fff…fin…ish."

"I'm not hurt Sammy," Dean assured, although he felt a slight betrayal by the fact his brother still wanted to speak with their father after everything that had happened. "I don't understand why you need to talk to him, but if it's what you need to do," he replied. "Look Sam," Dean's voice trembled. "I did something I'm not proud of a few months back before your collapse. Maybe I'm just as bad as Dad. I…" He felt hot tears sting his eyes, but not fall. Sam smiled, and patted his brother on the shoulder.

"I know." Dean turned wide eyes to his brother.

"You know what Sammy?"

"I re … mem… ber seeing you in hos…pit…al. You were mad. Dad ttt…to."

"Oh, Jesus, Sammy," Dean was horrified. "I thought you said you were blank."

"I was, but it came bbb…back to mmm…me last www…week."

"Why didn't you say anything? I'm so sorry Sam. I know you have every right to be pissed, I …"

"Stop," Sam said with a smile. "I was mad fff…for about an hour, but I can't sss…stay mad. Dean, you stayed with me whole ttt…time. You ttt…took care of me. It's okay. How ccc…could I be mmm…mad? I not say any…thing bbb…be…cause there not any…thing to say. I not mad … ccc…couldn't be."

"Sammy, don't let me of the hook that easily. I screwed up. I said things I didn't mean. Hell, after I said them I didn't even know why I went off on you in the first place. I probably caused you to collapse."

"No!" Sam replied. "Not your fault. Head messed up. Would have hap…happen…ed anyway. No blame. It's ooo…over and done. The ppp…past."

Dean and Sam sat with one another a few more minutes, and it was plain to Dean that his little brother didn't care to talk about what happened months ago, and it was water under the bridge between them. Dean felt he deserved anger from his brother, but instead he was given absolution. "So," Dean broke the silence. "You want me to go get him? He's down the hall."

"Yes, ppp…please."

"All right, but its late Sammy, and you should be resting."

"Not a little kid," Sam's voice was annoyed, but he had spoken clearly.

"No, you're not," Dean relented. "But, you had a seizure today, and you've been medicated."

"I'm fff…fine."

Dean excused himself and went to get their father at Sam's request. John looked up as he heard someone approaching. He stood up as Dean walked up to him. "Is he okay? Something wrong?"

"Look," Dean began. "I don't like this, but he wants to see you."

"He does?" John felt hope flare in his chest.

"Yeah," Dean relented. "He needs his rest and I don't want you upsetting him." His eyes glared at his father intensely.

"I won't," John assured. He stood facing Dean feeling as if he needed permission to proceed down the hallway. Dean studied his father for a long moment. He let out a begrudged sigh and stepped aside unblocking his father from walking to Sam's room. John started toward the room and stopped. "You're not coming?"

"He asked to see you alone," Dean grumbled. "It's what he wants."

"I'll follow his lead Dean. I promise I won't upset him." Dean's only reply was a curt nod. He watched his father turn and walk down the hall, and as he disappeared into Sam's room he sat heavily down in the chair beside him. He felt half sick with anxiety. He wanted to be in there. He needed to be.

"Sammy?" John's voice was soft and tentative. He watched his son turn his head on his pillow and look at him. He could see his young son's tired features. "Son, maybe you should rest. We have plenty of time to talk."

"No, talk now," Sam said simply. John approached his bed. Sam eyed him, and he felt as though he was being measured up, and he guessed he probably was. "Sit down ttt…to hard ttt…to look up." John offered a soft smile.

"Yeah, right," he agreed. "Sorry," he gave his son a sheepish smile. He sat silent waiting for his youngest child to speak. And, Sam remained quiet. John decided to break the silence. "Sammy, I'm following your lead, okay? You want to talk, we'll talk. If you've changed your mind and don't want to do this now then that's okay, too. I'm not going anywhere, and when you're ready I will be too." Sam didn't know how to take this new John Winchester. This was a father he had never met before. He could see the sincerity in his father's eyes, hear it in his words, and it stirred something inside him he couldn't define. His eyebrows creased in thought for a moment, and John waited.

"Ccc…ch…" Sam let out a sigh and concentrated. "Chris..to." John looked at his young son perplexed not sure he had heard correctly.

"What?" John asked. "Son, it sounded like you said, Christo." Sam allowed a small smile to show at the edges of his mouth. And, then John understood, and smiled. "Man, have I been that bad that when I sound understanding or supportive to either of my boys you think I'm possessed. Of course, your brother had it right in the cabin, though." John paused not wanting to bring up that night unless Sam did. "Dammit, I've really screwed the pooch with you boys haven't I?"

"I'm angry." Sam's admission was quiet, but very clear. John nodded as he held his son's gaze.

"Well, you should be Sammy," John replied. "Hell, I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to take a swing at me. Lord, knows your brother did." Sam turned wide eyes to his father. "Oh, not here … back when you were in the hospital. He clocked me a good one, but I had it coming. I would have punched me, too."

"I knn…know I ttt…talk funny," Sam began. John wanted to interrupt, but he could see he needed to let his son speak; however, he softened his eyes trying to let Sam know he didn't think that. Sam looked at his father, "let me fff…fin…ish," he said quickly sensing his father wanted to interject. "I get that it mmm…must have bbb…been hard when I was in a coma. But you leave. Dean stay. We're your chh…children you shh…should have stayed. You should have never www…wanted to ppp…put me in a home. Dean did every…thing, and you lll…left him ttt…to do it alone." John felt the impact of the words his baby son struggled so hard to say, and it felt like a kick to his solar plexus.

"Sam," John began when a long moment of silence filled the room after his son's last sentence. "What I did was inexcusable. I left you boys and I made a conscious decision to do it. You're right I should have never even considered putting you in a home or any place that wouldn't attempt to make your quality of life better. If I could turn back the clock … I would. But, you're brother was right when he said 'there are do-overs' at least not with this. I'm not asking for a clean slate … but I am asking for … hell, not even a second chance," John relented. "I'm probably on chance 1,000 by now, as much as I've screwed things up recently and over the years with you and your brother."

"You hurt Dean," Sam said quietly and suddenly.

"I know," John said with sad eyes. "I hurt you too, Sammy. I wish I could take it back, but I can't. I thought a home was the best place for you … I was wrong, so very wrong. I thought Dean staying behind to stay with you was wrong. I thought he'd stay by you everyday for the rest of your life or his," John took a breath. "I even told him he was going to waste his life sitting by your bedside. I just thought the doctors were right, and I couldn't handle seeing him sit with you everyday waiting for a miracle that wasn't going to happen, but, it did, you woke up, and look at you. Maybe, I should stay away, but only if you and your brother want me to. But, I want you to know that I want to stay… work through things. If it takes the rest of my life Sam, I want to be your father again." John could see the hurt in his young son's eyes as he processed the confession of what John admitted to when he told him about his conversation in the hospital with Dean.

"I re…mem…ber what hap…pened in the hos…pit…al. You not want to see mm…me. You angry I not shh…shoot you. You told mmm…me ttt…to leave." John closed his eyes for a moment.

"I thought… the doctor said you didn't remember."

"Came bbb…back last week. I not tell. I know you and Dean said thh…things. I for…give that. But, whh…what hap…pened after … not sure … maybe forgive in time, but never forget."

"Sammy…"

"No, I hurt, but Dean more. You speak to him." John ached hearing his son's fractured speech. The doctor had told him when Sam's language skills backslid into fragmented and grammatically incorrect sentences he was usually in distress. But, Sam appeared to be okay. John watched him for any sign of another seizure.

"Son, your brother is extremely angry with me, and speaking to me is the last thing he wants to do right now. It's complicated."

"Dean wor…shipped you. He think what you did a be…tray…al to him and me. You hurt him when you leave. He not ad…mit, but I know. Dean wants a family," Sam spoke with concentration. "He said so in Chi…ca…go. He said he wan…ted the three of us to…ghe..ther again. It im…por…tant to him." John let his young son's words sink in and resonate with him.

"He really said that?"

"Yes." Sam replied quietly.

Dean paced back and forth in the small lounge area. He kept watching the hall and looking to see when his father would leave. He looked at his watch and let out a frustrated sigh. His Dad had been in there with Sam for almost 45 minutes. "Dammit," he grumbled quietly to himself.

"Ddd…dad?"

"Yeah, Sammy?"

"Talk to hhh…him before ttt…too late."

"I think it all ready may be son. I don't think Dean will ever look at me the same way again even if we do start over. Sammy, don't misunderstand me, but after what happened today … why are you talking to me? I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but…" John didn't finish.

"I'm mad and hurt. But, Dean mat…ter more to me. He need things ttt…to be okay with you even if he ccc…can't see that. Get him. I talk to him and then he'll talk to you."

"Sam, I don't think your brother's going to appreciate you playing the little brother card to make him talk to me. He should do it on his own … when he's ready."

"Dean, never be ready. Stub…born like all Win…ches…ters."

"You have a point."

"Go," Sam motioned to the door. Sam watched his father leave. His mind filled with a hundred different thoughts and emotions. He had been truthful, he was mad and hurt, but Dean mattered more. He knew that it would slowly kill Dean in some deep unspoken way if things were never set right between his older brother and father. He knew his dad had let Dean down in a big way. Shattered his idea of the man he thought he was. Maybe, it wasn't so hard for Sam, he thought to himself, because he had never put their father on a pedestal like Dean had. Sam had always been contrary by nature when dealing with their father, but Dean … he had always been the good son, the good soldier.

Dean turned from the window as his father approached. "Is Sam all right?"

"Yes," John assured. "He asked me to come get you. He wants to see you."

"You better not have upset him," Dean warned as he pushed past John. The elder Winchester watched his firstborn walk to Sam's room. He shook his head slightly. He knew Sam would have his work cut out for him, and he still idly wondered how he had somehow managed to get in Sam's good graces enough that he wanted to help mend fences. He knew Sam was worried about Dean, and even if his baby son was profoundly hurt by the events of the last few months he would put all aside for his big brother. Dean walked into the room and his eyes immediately trying to adjust to the dim lighting. "You okay Sammy?" he asked as he walked with purpose to his brother's side.

"I'm fff…fine Dean."

"You sure? Cause if he said something…"

"Dean, it's okay. I www…want to ttt…talk to you."

"About?"

"Dad," Sam answered simply.

"Nothing to talk about," Dean countered. "Unless he said or did something to you … there's nothing to talk about." Dean looked away from his brother.

"Dean, please…" and there it was and Dean knew he'd break. He looked at his brother and saw the desperate need in his little brother's dark eyes.

"Fine," he relented. "What is it?"

Sam took a calming breath… he was going to make every word come out right or at least try. "I want you to talk to dad. Try to make up." Sam saw the shocked looked cross his brother's face. "No, listen… he knn…knows he was wrong. I tell him I'm mad and hurt, but Dean… you are too. Please try…" and Sam could see the stubborn set to his brother's jaw and could clearly see the muscles of his jaw twitch, so he decided to bring out the big guns. "Dean, please, ddd..do for me. Make work. Try, please. Talk to him."

"Sammy, do you know what you're asking? I can't forgive him … I won't."

"Not ask…ing to forgive or forget," Sam paused. "Just try …"

"Just try what Sam!"

"Be a fam…ily." Sam struggled with the word family.

"A family? You know maybe I oughta page Dr. Myers because I think that seizure today knocked something loose. Maybe killed a few brain cells." Sam looked at Dean. "Family? The only family I see here is you and me Sammy."

"You say in Chi…ca…go you want us three to…ghe…ther again. We can be."

"Do you even remember what you said to me then Sam? You said we are a family, but that you didn't want us to be together like before."

"Thh…things change. Diff…erent now." Sam's eyes were sad for a moment and Dean saw the hurt of realization shift across his brother's young face. He felt like an ass for hurting his brother with his words.

"Hey, Sammy," Dean tried to smooth things over. He kept his voice soft. "I didn't mean anything by that okay. And, yeah, things are different right now, but you're improving all the time."

"I know," Sam agreed. "But, want you to try."

"I don't trust him Sam," Dean answered bluntly. "He'll just bail again."

"Maybe nnn…not" Sam replied. "I think he wants ttt…to bbb…be here. Give chance."

"Dammit, you're like a dog with a bone. I'm not going to keep my mouth shut. If I got something to say or he steps out of line … I'm laying into him."

"Not ask…ing for mir…acles," Sam said with a smile. "Just to try."

"I still don't get why you're letting him off the hook."

"Not," Sam replied. "He knows I'm mad and hurt, but sss…still www…want ttt…to try. Make work."

Dean scrubbed a hand over his face. "It's late Sammy. You need your rest."

"Dean?"

"Yeah?" he answered with a tired sigh.

"Maybe live to…ghether. Rent house?" Dean turned to his brother with an exasperated look.

"Ah, hell no," Dean hissed quietly. "No way. Not gonna happen."

"Dean, it's cheaper. Rent a house not apart…ment."

"Sammy, I can provide for us. I told you I'd find a place, and I will."

"I know," Sam agreed. "It can work."

"What? Dad in my face everyday, no way."

"He knows you need space. Can save mon…ey if not all go to rent. Spilt with Ddd…dad."

Sam and Dean went round and round over the issue, and finally Dean relented. He was sick to his stomach over the prospect of sharing a roof with his father, but it seemed important to Sam, why he had no clue. But, upsetting his brother wasn't something he wanted to do, so he'd bite the bullet for Sammy.

"Fine," he grumbled. "But, don't expect me to kiss his ass. I don't like this … just so you know that I'm doing this for you Sammy. Don't expect the Brady bunch. I can hardly stand the sight of the man."

"Thanks," Sam said with a lopsided smile. "Now, talk to him." Dean rolled his eyes and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Fine, but not unless you agree to get some sleep."

"Okay," Sam gave in to his brother's request. "Go, talk. I promise to sll…sleep." Sam closed his eyes to reiterate the fact he intended to sleep.

John saw Dean come out of the room and he stood up as his son approached. "Sammy okay?"

"Yeah," Dean groused. "Look…this isn't my idea, okay? He wants us to talk. I got nothing to say. I don't trust you dad not after what you pulled." Dean stared at his father.

"I know," John countered.

"You'll bail again it's just a matter of time," Dean's eyes were intense. "Sammy just can't see that … or maybe can't accept it."

"I know you've got no reason to believe that I won't leave again Dean, but I'm not leaving you boys. I'm staying here. I won't bail…" Dean interrupted his father.

"Yeah, well, if the next words out of your mouth are I promise, I think I'll hurl."

"I could promise Dean, but it wouldn't mean anything to you. Actions speak louder. I'm here to stay."

"Yeah, and what happens if things get rough, huh? I mean, god forbid, Sam develops other seizure disorders and is in and out of the hospital. I mean, you have no clue what other problems he could face. The first sign of trouble you're going to hit the road."

"I've spoken to the doctor and she has told me what he could face. And, no matter what Dean I'm not leaving. I know you have no reason to believe me, but I can prove it to you by staying. I'm not leaving."

"Whatever," Dean complained under his breath. "Look, this isn't what I want, but it's important to Sam, and after everything he's been through I can't say no. He wants us to split rent with you on a place. He wants a house." John thought his head would explode when he heard those words. Sam had pulled off a bona fide miracle.

"Okay," he was at a loss for words. "How do you want to do this?" He'd follow his son's lead.

"I don't, but like I said for Sam I'll deal. I'll find a place … alone," Dean added quickly he didn't want to go around town with his father. "You getting a job?"

"Well, I wanted to clear it with you first," John spoke. "I could get my old job back or Larry's brother has a shop over by the airport that I could get full-time employment at, and just like Larry it carries health benefits. I could put Sammy on my policy." John offered knowing that Sam would need the coverage.

"Take the airport job." John wasn't going to push his luck. After all, he was going to be living under the same roof as his son's and that was more than he could have hoped for at least so soon. "And, Sammy doesn't need your coverage," Dean countered with a little venom in his voice. "Ivy Ridge doesn't charge him anything and won't … not even for his out patient rehab. And, his social worker found some funding for me to help with any medical expenses outside the rehab. And, I've got him as a dependant on my policy as back up."

"Dependant?" It struck John for the first time that the outside world viewed Sam as different since his brain injury.

"Yeah, well, Sam doesn't know," Dean's eyes were serious. "And he doesn't need to know he's listed as a dependant. I told him I was able to get him on my insurance, and he never asked how or why. It's just with some of his cognitive delays they …" his voice trailed off. He didn't like labels for Sam … he was Sammy. He walks and talks. He has the same sense of humor. He was Sam to him and nothing a medical professional or governmental busy body classified him as would define his little brother to him.

"They what?" John asked softly. Dean's hard eyes softened for a moment, and then blazed again.

"They define him as cognitively delayed, okay? Like … handicapped, but I don't want you to ever say anything to him. I know he may find out some time, but he doesn't need to know. He's had enough shit to deal with, and anyway, I'll be damned I ever let him think he's handicapped. He's getting better every day."

"Dean, I would never. And, anyway, I don't care what they're saying … he isn't that at all. He's a smart boy, he always was … still is," he added with a gentle smile.

"Look," Dean spoke suddenly. "I'm all talked out. I just want to stay with Sam tonight, and put this day behind me."

"I'll go back to my motel in Jefferson, okay? Would it be okay if I come back tomorrow afternoon? I want to set up my job first, and then spend some time with Sammy." John decided he wanted to quickly lay as much ground work as he could to show Dean he was sticking around. He had to show Dean he could count on him, and he didn't care how long it took.

"Yeah, whatever," Dean groused. "Tomorrow's Sunday, Sam has a full day of PT and other therapy. He'll be busy most of the day."

"Well, I'm willing to wait."

"I gotta find some rentals tomorrow … I don't know …" Dean hated the idea of his father being alone with his brother.

"Dean, you can trust me with him," John assured. "I won't upset him. If we're going to make this work for …." John paused. "For Sam's sake," he figured that was the only way Dean would relent then he'd use it.

"Yeah, fine," Dean complained.

"Dean," John spoke before his son could turn to head off to Sam's room.

"What?"

"Maybe, if you speak to a local realtor they can point you to some house rentals." John thought the suggestion would help Dean in his search, plus, shows he did have a vested interest in staying. Dean acknowledged him with a quick nod.

"Hey," Dean's voice was quiet. "You want to see him before you go? He's probably asleep, but he'll want to know if you said goodnight or something." John smiled and nodded. It was a huge olive branch, and John was grabbing it. They walked into Sam's room quietly and sure enough the younger Winchester had succumbed to sleep and had curled onto his side and was sleeping peacefully. John walked over quietly and bent over his son. He gently ran a hand over his son's tousled dark locks, and he stirred ever so slightly. Dean watched his father with Sam very intently, and he wondered if this new tenderer John Winchester would disappear within in a few weeks. Dean would be watching, and the moment the man drops the ball he was going to kick him to the curb. And, deal with Sammy after the fact.

"Shh… Sammy," John cooed and his son stilled under his touch. He bent down and kissed the top of his son's head. "Night, Sammy. Sweet dreams," he whispered. He stood up and nodded at Dean. "Night, son." Dean looked hard at his father, but relented only slightly.

"Night."

John Winchester walked across the parking lot feeling the tiniest flicker of hope, and he had Sam to thank for all of it. John still was amazed at the turn of events tonight, but could only manage to feel profound thankfulness for the open door his baby son had offered him. He was going to make this work. His mind went back to Sam's room and knew right about now Dean was probably saying goodnight to his little brother as he went to bed in the sleeping chair he'd noticed earlier in the corner of the room. Tomorrow was going to be the first day of a new beginning or so he hoped, at least.

Time would tell.

To Be Continued

Thanks for all of the reviews for chapters 1 through 13. I hope to hear from you for chapter 14. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Read and Review!