Chapter 2: Messages:

It was nearly eleven when Dean finally dialed Bobby's number. The two brothers stood side by side as Dean dialed the number into the kitchen phone. While it was a touch-tone, the device lacked a speaker mode and they had to nearly push into each other's ears in order to both hear the dial tone. After the fifth ring it picked up.

"Francis Hart, CIA. How can I help you?" A gruff voice rang out.

"That's a new one." Dean snarked as Sam stifled a smile.

Bobby paused, "Dean? Is that you?"

"Yeah Bobby, it's me. Sammy's here too."

"Hi Bobby." Sam responded, trying to shove Dean over so he could better hear what the man was saying.

"Holy hell, I thought you two were dead. They found your old man in Florida in a train wreck." Bobby exhaled.

"Yeah, we know…"Dean commented, exchanging a quick glance with Sam.

"So, to what do I owe the occasion? I figured you two've been dead for better part of a few years and you call me out of the blue." He paused. "Come to think of it, no one's seen you…" The hunter seemingly chewed on his lip for a moment. Dean could nearly hear his eyes narrow with suspicion, "Prove it. Prove you're them."

Dean sighed; he hadn't exactly doubted Bobby questioning who they were. It made sense that an imposter could try to take on their identities to get information from the man-whether the imposter be a shapeshifter or more run-of-the-mill scammer. "My name is Dean Matthew Winchester; I was born January 24, 1979. My parents were John and Mary Winchester. After my mom died Sam and I went hunting with our dad until we ran away a few years ago. Before that my dad had hunted with you a few times before, but you two never really got along, probably because you could see that he was about as piss-poor of a father as he was cook." Dean paused, "In fact, the single time we had Easter at your place my dad nearly burnt down your kitchen when he put the ham back in the oven with a dishrag under it."

Bobby was silent before he replied, "Well shit, it is you. So why haven't you idjits bothered calling me before now?! I get that you're probably on the lam somewhere, but you know I'm good to help!" He sighed, "When I finally see you two again I'm gonna strangle you both! Jim and I had a wake and everything because we thought all three of you were dead!" Bobby took a deep breath, "But it is good to hear from you boys. How is everything?"

"It's actually pretty good." Dean replied glancing at his properly fed and likely college bound brother as they both stood in the kitchen of their modest, but comfortable, suburban rancher. "Make that really good."

"So where are you? No hunter's seen you guys in years-and that's hard to do."

"We're in Orlando." Sam replied. "I'm in school and Dean just got promoted to the VP of Parts and Labor for the dealers he works at."

"Wait, you're telling me that the Winchesters went apple pie?" Bobby was stunned, "So, what, you faked your deaths and the three of you are living like the other half?"

"No… just Sammy and me." Dean replied, a flash of darkness momentarily crossing his face, "Dad is actually dead."

"I'm sorry-I figured…" Bobby stated, immediately regretting his assumption.

"No, believe me, we're good." Dean replied. Sam gestured to Dean to give him the phone for a moment.

"Hey Bobby, I'm graduating in a few weeks and I wanted to see if you wanted to come to the ceremony?"

Dean raised his left eyebrow-so that's why he wanted to call Bobby…

"Sure." He sounded surprised at the normal request.

"Awesome, let me give you the address of the school…" Sam stole the phone and walked the thirty feet the cord allowed to sit in the dining room as Dean was left to exchange a glance with Felix before he conceded his brother's assertion and decided to just sit with the dog until Sam came back with the phone.

**SPN**

Three weeks later Jared Collins graduated from Boone High School as salutatorian.

"And now for our salutatorian for the class of 2001, Jared Collins." Dr. Kline clapped as he stepped back and let Sam come up to the podium. While Sam didn't get nearly as lengthy a speech as Kim did later in the ceremony, it was still nice to be recognized for his hard work. Plus speaking in front of a couple thousand people is way more anxiety-inducing than anything else I've ever done, including fighting the supernatural and having a shorter speech isn't necessarily the worst thing in the world.

"Good evening everyone." He swallowed as he looked out into the sea of faces, only catching Dean and Bobby because of his brother's insistence on wearing a high-visibility vest over his suit. "We are here today to commemorate this awesome occasion, as we move from being high schoolers to being young adults in our own right. Some of us have always known what we have wanted to do with our futures-while others hadn't had the opportunity until more recently to decide for ourselves. Some of us still aren't entirely sure what we want to do when we get older. Regardless of our specific paths, I know this much, they will all be bright. Together we have overcome the challenges of youth, let us now go forward together into adulthood assured that we are ready to begin a new journey." Sam nodded as he finished his speech before he read off the prepared transition, "Now please welcome our valedictorian-and my girlfriend-Kimberly Olowafe!" He clapped as she stepped forward and nudged him in the side, the two both beaming as she read her speech.

Three hours later Sam was sitting in the backseat as Dean and Bobby chatted up front on the way back to their house. Bobby had come down to visit two days before and was surprised at just how normal the two had become. Holy shit, you don't even steal cable! As Dean parked the car in the driveway the conversation continued, "…so, have you officially accepted anywhere yet?" Bobby asked as Sam blinked out of his thoughts of the evening.

"Not yet, I still have a little bit, and I'm not sure where I want to go."

"I hope Stetson-they gave him a full ride." Dean remarked as he unlocked the door, "But if he wants Sammy can go anywhere he decides."

"Well, I'm sure you'll make the right choice." Bobby smiled as he pulled an envelope out of his pocket, "Congratulations Sam."

Sam stared at the envelope, "Bobby you really didn't have to…"

"Well I did, now open it already before I decide to give it to your brother." Bobby huffed in false irritation as Sam smiled and took the envelope. He opened to find a card with cash inside and a note.

"Congratulations on your success. I'm proud of you, and even though life might not be perfect I'm proud of the fact that the two of you finally managed to find happiness. Keep in touch-Bobby." Underneath was a phone number as well as an email.

"I finally signed up for AOL, so everyone would stop nagging me. If you ever want to get in contact if the phone doesn't work email me and I'll send you the right number." Bobby clasped the boy on the shoulder. "Congratulations Sam."

"Thanks Bobby."