Chapter 3

"You need to eat a little Dean we won't be eating until later tonight", Charlie commented. Apart from the haunted look in his eyes, Dean was moving only when required, which signified the tremendous pain his body was in, and he was eating way too little for her liking.

"Nah, 'mom', I am done. I gotta go get ready and look pretty now", commented Dean as he sauntered out of the living room.

Something had changed, Jo yesterday,there were no comments about Dean, being the better Winchester and that Jessica should have chosen him. That she was way out of his little brother's league, all the comments he often made, would frustrate Sam. Dean still had the same cheeky smile, his green eyes,but the sparkle was long gone, which left a haunting sadness in his eyes, that was hard to find, only if you knew him well.

No,agreed Charlie, this Dean had faced a harsh reality, stared into the face of death itself. He had come out the other side a different man. Dean must have realised what was more important in life. It had dramatically changed his behaviour.

Later that evening, before leaving Charlie said "Are you ready? Uncle Rufus is in on the plan. Don't worry, the old grouch will keep a secret."

"Okay, girls I hope I'm a suitable present for everyone?" Dean sighed, feeling slightly nervous about the entire operation, despite having done things much more dangerous over the period of his deployment.

"Unless you want your other arm injured, I would suggest you shut your trap, Winchester. Dean, we love you. We haven't received any of your stupid letters for the past one year and 11 months. Everyone was worried to death.", said Jo.

Dean groaned. "Damn it. Guess I'm in deep trouble." Even though he was super nervous, he let his mask slip and gave the girls a small grin.

"No, Dean, you're back where you belong with the people that love you and this time buddy, we won't let you go," Charlie told her best friend with conviction in her tone.

Dean pulled both of the girls in a one-armed hug, which caused both of them to raise their eyebrows. Dean Winchester was not a hugger. But they knew better than to comment, and made their way to the bunker while Dean waited for Rufus.

The drive to the bunker was fairly uneventful. As Rufus pulled his truck outside the bunker, he said, "Here you go, boy. I left the heater on. I got you a flask of hot cocoa. Can't have you being drunk on your surprise debut."

"Uncle Bobby will hate you for this." Dean chuckled.

"Ain't nothing that old coot can do to me boy." The older man winked. Rufus turned to walk out, before he sat back and said, "Damn good to see you back home, son. We all missed you. That girl of yours, I've been worried about her."

Dean sat up his green eyes growing sharper. "Cassie? Emma?What's wrong."

Rufus let out an audible sigh. "What's wrong? You left them hanging for 4 years you dick. She was literally waiting for them to tell him you had died, Dean. Every damn day. She puts on a brave face but everyone could see her slipping away. Your old man, the stoic one you remember, was going to ring up your training academy, he was that damn concerned."

Dean closed his eyes and rested his head "Then I'm glad I'm home, if only to give y'all some peace."

"I need to go mingle. Your girl just loves Santa Claus."The older man chuckled.

Dean laughed. "I can't wait to see her grow up then. Spend time with my family."

"You ain't going back?"

"No, Soldier Winchester has been honourably discharged and is back for good."

"I see. Our hero has returned. You make us all proud, never,forget that."

Dean watched his uncle walk away and waited for his turn. He could hear the distant sounds of laughter, the merriment of the time of year. Sipping his hot drink, he settled in for the night and waited for a message from Jo on Rufus's phone that he had kept with him