Chapter 2

As Dean told the driver Jo's address, he felt himself drifting again. His thoughts went towards the horrors he had seen in the past 4 years, he found himself hyperventilating. He remembered what his psychiatrist, Pamela, had told him and started his deep breathing exercises.

After a few minutes, when he regained his composure, he felt someone watching him.

He opened his eyes to find that his cabbie was stealing glances at him. Puzzled, Dean asked, "You okay, brother?"

The driver blushed and said, "Yes sir. I just wanted to thank you for your services. I am Muslim, you know? I am so proud that people like you keep our country safe."

Understanding dawned on Dean's face as he moved his good hand to squeeze the driver, Jabhir's shoulder, and said, "Spineless men hide behind the facade of religion, Jabhir. I am glad to see you make an honest living. Keep your nose clean, you hear me?"

The driver nodded enthusiastically and when they reached the cybercafe, he refused to take money from him, helped him unload his meagre belongings (a backpack and a duffle bag), and took off in high spirits.

He found the cafe closed, since it was still pretty early in the morning, and made his way upstairs. Being used to ignoring his injuries (and trauma), even in battlefield conditions, he hoisted up his duffle, pulled up his backpack and made his way to the first floor.

He reluctantly knocked on the door and waited patiently. After approximately 14 seconds (yes, Dean counted), a disheveled looking Charlie opened the door, and as she was about to scream at the one who disturbed her beauty sleep, her eyes opened wide and she let out a whimper.

Dean grinned.

"Oh my god, Dean Winchester?"

"In the flesh", he replied.

Charlie lept at him, wrapping her legs around his waist and pushing him backwards. He winced in pain but said nothing and simply wrapped his arms around Charlie and laughed, for what he thought was the first time in years.

Jo, making her way out, screamed, "What the hell Charlie! Did you see a ghost or wh-". She stopped mid sentence when she saw who Dean was hugging and would you know, broke down then and there. Dean placed Charlie down and after adjusting his cast, which earned him a guilty intake of air, and made his way towards Jo. He easily wrapped his arms around her, and Jo hugged him back as if her life depended on it. In between sobs, she managed to signal Charlie to close the door and they made their way to the living room.

Charlie picked up Dean's duffle and made her way inside. After she finally calmed down, Jo simply looked at Dean. She noted his hair which was sticking out, a particularly nasty gash on the right side of his forehead, stitches on his inner lip and perhaps the most heartbreaking, the lack of his patent childlike sparkle in his eyes.

Dean let out a sigh, "You gals gonna stare me down, or will you feed me something?"

Charlie was slightly taken aback. Dean Winchester never asked for anything; it was one of the many things his family would tear his hair out. Something had changed about Dean, and she could not put her finger on it.

Charlie popped his duffle down and went to the kitchen, shouting out, "Coffee and pie, coming right up! Come inside bitches".

Dean and Jo beamed and moved towards the kitchen and settled down on the table.

"So, you never told us you were coming home. Does Cassie know? Anyone?"

Dean smiled softly at the mention of his family. "No, and that's where you come in. I need your help, girls.I gotta surprise them at the dinner tomorrow."

Jo replied, "That is all well and good, but in four freaking years, you did not call anyone, did not bother sending a reply to our messages, why? Do you have any idea what that did to us? To Cassie? She had to raise that devil princess of yours all alone".

Dean's smile vanished and a look of apprehension that Jo had never seen before adorned his face. "Princess? I have a daughter?"

Charlie interrupted, "Obviously dumbass. You would know if you had opened the letters we sent you. Emma Dean Winchester is the most gorgeous kid we've ever seen"

Dean swallowed and looked at his coffee before either of the girls could make out that he had tears in his eyes.

Charlie handed him a photograph and continued, "Cassie has been amazing with her. All of us help whenever we can, but she is very close to Sammy. She knows all about you, her hero daddy".

Dean, while listening to Charlie and Jo narrate his daughter's antics, could not take his eyes off the photograph. While Cassie looked just like he remembered her, his daughter looked like something straight out of a fairy tail. In that photo, she was wearing a yellow frock, with white sandals and was playing with Jess, Sam's wife. She had beautiful brown eyes, like her mother but her freckles, her face structure and the shit-eating grin on her face, were all patent Dean Winchester.

Charlie noticed Dean's cast again and said, "How'd you get injured?"

Dean shrugged and said, "Ah the regular, you know."

Charlie glared at him, "You're okay though? Apart from your arm and face, I mean? Cassie will kill you, ya know?"

Dean laughed, "Ah that fireball, she will kick my ass for not replying for four years you know, before she lets me touch her. Anyways, I am good, just a few minor injuries here and there. "

Jo narrowed her eyes, "What exactly is your excuse for not keeping in touch all these years?"

Dean, embarrassed and shameful simply said, "I never received any".

Jo snorted and remarked that while she could see straight through his bullshit, she would give him time to come around.

Dean asked who all would he be seeing tomorrow, when Charlie launched into her monologue and began with the guest list. Mary, John, Ellen and Bobby were obviously organizing the party at the bunker. Sam, who had his practise in practise in Lawrence itself, would be coming over with a very pregnant Jessica (Dean felt overjoyed at this), as would Ash and his girlfriend, Ava (Dean smirked at this). Their uncle Rufus, keeping up with the family tradition, would be coming over as Santa, with Garth as a reindeer (Dean raised his eyebrows at this but Charlie kept going) and Adam would also be there with his fiance, Bela (at which Dean let out a wolf-whistle). Charlie and Jo would also leave tomorrow evening, and the entire gang would stay at the bunker till New Years, or probably a few days after that.

Dean however, was particularly shocked to discover that not only had Cassie moved to the bunker and was living there, she had remained steadfastly loyal to Dean. his eyes watered at this devotion, and he felt undeserving of her love.

Jo was about to reprimand him on this and say that he loved Cassie just as much, when there was a sharp rap on the front door, and Jo glanced over at the kitchen clock.

"Damn! that's Jess, we forgot that she was coming."

"Dean go and hide…" Charlie tried to push Dean out of the kitchen, but Before they could do anything, however, Jessica came through to the kitchen finding the door unlocked and made her way to the kitchen.

She steadied her hand on the door frame, as she opened and closed her mouth, like a gaping fish. Dean let out an embarrassed laugh.

"Dean…is that you? Am I dreaming?", Jess asked, cautiously.

Dean jumped up and helped the heavily pregnant woman over to a kitchen chair. He grinned and whispered to Jess that Sammy would kill him if his sudden secret arrival sent his wife into premature labour.

"It's me alright, sweetheart. I wanted to surprise y' you ladies plan this; no one else finds out, okay?" Dean glared in mock sternness.

Jo picked up his backpack with a determined air, while Dean carelessly swung his backpack. "The spare room, Jo?", he asked?

"Yes, go on. We can let you sleep while we plan."

Dean mock saluted them and went off with Jo.

As she returned, Jo slung her arms around her Charlie and stated, "Let's get this plan into motion, girls. I told him he had to be in that uniform tomorrow, our very own soldier."

The girls put their heads together and plotted in joyful glee, the incredible shock they would bring for all their family.