"My name is Detective Casey Reinhardt. I need to speak to Sam and Dean Winchester as well as their legal guardians. It's in regard to their father." She held her ID up to the camera.

Scotty closed his robe tightly and opened the door and gave the woman a sweet smile. The last thing he wanted was to have this pantsuit wearing Beta give him the stink eye for walking around nude.

"Good morning Detective, I'm Mrs. Novak. Come in, I've got coffee brewing."

Casey, a petite woman, had to crane her neck to meet Scotty's gaze, "Thank you."

…..

Sam and Dean sat next to each other at the kitchen table putting up a united front. They had gone over what to do when someone finally showed up with the news of their father's death. Castiel stood behind Dean, hands clasped on the Omega's shoulders being the supportive Alpha.

Spencer held his wife's hand as they waited for the detective to get on with it.

She set down her coffee cup after a sip and turned to Sam and Dean, "I'm afraid I have some bad news about your father John."

Sam fidgeted around as he finger combed his bangs over his eyes. He just wanted this lady to leave them alone and all this to be over.

Dean straightened up and placed an arm around his adorable little brother, "Is Dad in jail again?"

Casey felt her heart breaking for the two angelic boys. This was the hardest part of her job especially when children were involved, "I am so sorry…your father has been killed."

Sam began crying. It was certainly easy enough, a part of him missed his dad and that combined with the stressors in his young life caused the tears to flow freely.

Casey looked to Spencer, "Perhaps Sam should leave the room for the rest of this and you can explain later."

"Good idea. Sam, go to your room."

The boy dutifully left. He knew everything anyway.

Casey explained how and where John died and that the murder of Dick Roman had been closed because his personal effects were found on John's body. She told Dean there were no leads in John's murder and how sorry she was for their loss.

"Dean, can you think of anyone that would want to hurt your father?"

Dean shook his head sadly, "I don't know…Dad liked to drink and gamble and he always had a lot of ladies and…" Dean looked up at Castiel.

Castiel ran his hand lovingly down his Omega's cheek, "It's ok sweetheart."

The teen bowed his head and continued, "Dad had a lot of female company. He didn't seem to care if the ladies were taken or not."

Casey nodded, "I see…so perhaps a jealous husband or boyfriend, gambling debts or something like that?"

Dean couldn't take the smell of coffee or the stress, he threw up on himself. Now he really started crying in earnest. Scotty helped him up and spirited Dean away to clean him up.

Spencer said tersely, "Dean is pregnant and his stress affects my grandbaby. Let me lay it on the line Detective, John Winchester was a shitty father and an alcoholic. He dragged his kids across the countryside for years running from one trouble to the next. I imagine there were a lot of people that wanted a piece of him. The only decent thing the man ever did for his children were to leave them to us so they could have stability and love."

The Detective pulled two forms out of a folder and slid one over to each man, "I just need your signatures on these to have Mr. Winchester's body released and transported to the funeral home of your choice. There is a list of them in your area unless there is one in particular that's not on here."

Spencer recognized the name of an old, landmark funeral home that was located off the beaten path. He placed a check next to Casperson Funeral Home. Father and son signed their forms with similar careful block lettering and handed them back.

"How long before the body is released Detective?"

"I'll fax the forms over today."

"We want the body as soon as possible. It's very important for the boys to say their goodbyes and put this behind them. I'll do what it takes to expedite things."

The detective shook her head sadly, "what a terrible thing for the children especially at this time of year with Christmas coming."

Spencer was becoming more irritated by the second, "I don't think there is a good time of year for a parent to be murdered Detective."

Detective Reinhardt was escorted to the door by Spencer and Castiel. She turned before leaving, "Tell me, that classic car in your driveway, didn't that belong to Mr. Winchester?"

Castiel took the lead, "Yes, John left it for Dean. He's going to be fifteen in a matter of weeks and will start driver's education soon. John wanted his eldest son to have it."

"You have my card; please call if the boys think of anything. Otherwise John Winchester will end up as just another cold case."

…

Dean snuck out that night and went to visit Baby. First he drained the eel and the sea shell because honestly these days the pregnant teen wasn't sure where he was going to piss out of.

He nabbed the keys and headed out to see his long lost girl. Dean slid in the driver's seat and spent some time getting reacquainted. "I'm glad you're back," Dean delicately ran his fingers over the dash and gauges, "I missed the hell out of you."

The Omega looked around to be sure no one was watching then he kissed the steering wheel, "Don't tell anyone I did that."

The Impala had been a traveling haven to Sam and Dean. They had grown together inside the classic beauty forming their deep, unique brotherly bond through long conversations, fights and teasing within her confines.

Eating inside Baby made the worst gas station food edible. When the brothers had no food and bellies were rumbling Sam and Dean took solace in the fact that at least she kept them safe.

"Now that I got you back Baby I'll never let you go. I promise I'll be faithful, love and cherish you as long as our motors keep runnin'." He laughed to himself, "Maybe I should put that in my wedding vows."

Dean checked the glove compartment and under the seats. The young Hunter then went to the trunk to check things out.

He looked over the familiar contents. Dean took his father's journals then headed inside.

If Dean had been more through he would have found a canvas duffle bag hidden within the cavernous trunk that contained something both awful and wonderful.

….

Despite Dean's grumbling Castiel was the one that drove the Impala to Casperson Funeral Home located well outside of town. The grand Victorian era estate had been purchased by the Casperson family and converted into a funeral home during the 1918 flu epidemic. A crematorium was built in back with a tunnel leading from one building to the next for transport of bodies.

The entire setting looked straight out of a Vincent Price movie. Sam stood bravely at his brother's side ready to do what Dean asked of him. Dean actually didn't want Sam to go but the boy had hopped in the backseat and refused to budge.

Sam pulled out a homemade EMF reader. They watched as the lights went crazy.

Castiel swallowed hard then asked in a voice that sounded just a little shaky, "Does that mean John is here?"

Dean placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "It could be any body; after all it's a funeral home. Just take a deep breathe and relax, I know this is all pretty new to you."

The Alpha mentally chastised himself for feeling scared when a teen Omega and a young pre-Alpha were relatively calm, " I need to just accept that the world I know isn't all it seems. That there are monsters and demons and maybe angels and…and…"

Sam tugged on Cas' trench coat sleeve, "Cas are you alright?"

He found the word that escaped him in his mini panic, "…ghosts."

…..

Casper Casperson greeted the trio in the foyer extending a pale, bony hand to Castiel, "Welcome, I'm Casper Casperson. You must be Mr. Novak and these two young men are Sam and Dean Winchester I presume. I'm sorry we are meeting under these circumstances…"

A loud thump was heard right above them followed by a door slammed shut. Casper rolled his pale blue eyes up toward the ceiling as he wrung his hands.

Dean cocked a brow, "Someone upstairs?"

"Uh…not exactly, you know these old places are always making odd noises." The sound of glass shattering came next. Casper waved them into his office and closed the door.

…..

Castiel did the talking for the Winchesters, "No embalming, we have a twenty pound bag of rock salt in the trunk and that is to be poured into the casket with the before cremation. Then the body is to be cremated as soon as possible."

Casper sat back in his worn leather desk chair sizing up the strange trio, "Perhaps the children would like to sit in the foyer while we discuss this Mr. Novak. It might be too sensitive a subject for such young ears."

Dean leaned forward white knuckling the chair arms, " I haven't been a kid since I was four so don't talk as if I'm not here."

Casper was taken aback by the mouthy Omega but one dark look from Castiel told the funeral director he should keep his mouth shut.

Casper took out some forms and slid them over to Castiel, "A gentleman by the name of Mercado sent a generous check to expedite your wishes."

...

Casper had his employee Edgar; take the trio to the basement morgue across from the embalming area. Dean had already been there, done that while hunting with John so places like this didn't bother him much. What bothered him was the fact this was their father

Sam had been sheltered from hunting to an extent because of his age although John had him participate in rigorous training right along with Dean. Sam had been on a few of the easier hunts just to get his feet wet. The younger Winchester was rightfully hesitant and nervous.

Castiel stopped Sam and Dean before they walked in, "Stay here." Cas would have had an easier time telling the rain to stop falling.

Edgar hoisted the bag of rock salt higher on his shoulder, "Are they coming in or not? This bag isn't getting any lighter."

Cas shut Edgar up with a withering look, "No they are not."

…..

Edgar raised the bag of salt over the decomposing body pouring it from head to toe. He looked back at the strange, blue eyed man, "You say this is a religious tradition?"

"Yes."

Dean burst through the door and before Castiel could grab him the teen made it to the cheap, plastic lined casket, "I gotta be sure."

The man had been frozen and thawed then put in cold storage with no embalming. It was a horror to behold but Dean needed closure, he had to be positive it was John.

Dean staggered backward almost falling but Castiel was there to catch him, "It's him Dean. I'm taking you both out of here.

Once the brothers were safely in the backseat of the Impala the Alpha gave his orders, "Sam, stay here and look after your brother. There's ginger ale and snacks in my messenger bag. Neither of you budge unless you feel the call of nature."

He gave Sam the keys then ditched his parka for his trench coat. They watched as the stern Alpha went around back and got something from the trunk then stalked back inside.

Dean asked weakly, "Sammy what's he doing?"

"I'm not sure but I think Cas is about to do his first ghost hunt."

…..

As Edgar and Castiel headed through the connecting tunnel to the crematorium with a salted and boxed John Winchester corpse they paused when heavy footsteps sounded behind them.

Edgar whispered, "I know that this place is full of weird shit but since this guys body showed up everything got kicked up a notch." He looked sheepish, "Sorry I don't expect you to believe in that stuff but…"

Castiel whispered back, "I do believe."

The ghost of John Winchester materialized, Castiel whipped a sawed off out of his trench and shot a salt round. Edgar staggered backward clutching the rail so his knees didn't go out from under him.

"What the hell man!"

Cas' eyes darted around then landed on Edgar, "He's gone for now. Let's get this bastard in the oven."

…..

Edgar readied the cremation chamber while Castiel stood outside the door as a lure. He assumed in death John Winchester's rage was tenfold. Castiel would have done anything to prevent him from hurting the boys or meddle with the cremation.

John appeared as a shimmer just inside the tunnel entrance. He was too far away for a blast of rock salt so Castiel stood by watching with a mix of fascination and dread.

Cas had now accepted that humans were more than the sum total of their parts and the body was just a container to house the soul until death. This had been something he wondered and debated about his whole life and there was proof right in front of him.

Unfortunately this proof happened to be Sam and Dean's pissed off father who was at this moment watching him.

Castiel decided to try talking to John. He had no idea if John could understand him or what Castiel had to say would even matter.

"John, leave this world with some semblance of peace. Sam and Dean don't deserve this. In spite of how they were raised or what you did to Dean, your boys managed to hang on to tattered bits of love for you."

Castiel unwisely added, "I on the other hand think you're a worthless piece of crap that never deserved to have two such incredible children. If Hell exists I'm sure you've earned a one way ticket after what you did to Dean."

The spirit was on Castiel in a flash. A supernaturally strong hand wrapped around his throat cutting off his air supply.

Just as he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness Castiel was let go. He crumpled to the floor gasping for air.

John Winchester changed slowly; the years fell away until a young man stood before Castiel. The unlined face still looked world weary and the body posture was that of someone that had carried the weight of the world on his shoulders for a very long time.

The spirit let out a brief sigh and John Winchester faded away forever.

…

Edgar opened the steel door and peered around the corner, "I heard a shot, is he gone? I put the body in so…"

Castiel croaked, "Yes."

Edgar helped the man to his feet. He saw the bruises forming on Castiel's throat and let out a low whistle, "He really did a number on you."

…

When Cas got back to the Impala Dean was curled up tight covered over with an old blanket, his head resting on Sam's lap. He opened his eyes when the car door closed and the engine started.

Dean mumbled something to Sam then pulled the blanket over his head. Sam asked, "Is it over Cas?"

"Yes, it's over."

…

After showering off the filth both real and imagined Castiel took Dean to bed.

The bruises around the Alpha's throat from the encounter with John Winchester's spirit sent Dean into a guilty funk. Castiel knew Dean's tendency to blame himself and shoulder the pain and burdens of others. "Dean this isn't your fault."

Dean pressed his nose against his lover's hairy pit breathing in the musk of the man who saved him, "You're hurt. I bet you never got hurt before you met me."

"Bruises fade Dean. I'd do it all again to keep my family safe. I love you."

"I love you too babe. I'd do the same for you." He felt the steel of Castiel's penis pressing against his body.

Castiel maneuvered his Omega on top. Dean rose up then slowly sank down the swollen dick until his was seated on the knot forming. Dean rode atop his Alpha until he couldn't move anymore. Locked together, Castiel gathered Dean against his chest.

"Dean…"

"Yeah?"

"Am I a Hunter now?"

"You're a teacher and a Hunter in training…you rank right below Sam."

A disappointed sounding Castiel answered, "Sam is eleven and I'm twenty five."

"Doesn't matter, it's not about age it's about experience and knowledge."

Cas had a combination of a pout and frown on his face, "I did pretty good though right?"

Dean kissed the tip of the teacher's nose, "You did better than that. You saved our lives."

…..

Dean waited until Castiel fell into a fitful sleep then slipped into Sam's room, "Hey Sammy."

Sam was wide awake; he turned on the lamp to find his brother looking like death warmed over. Dean had dark circles under his eyes and despite being pregnant the teen had lost weight from morning sickness and stress. He patted the empty spot next to him and Dean went right over getting under the covers with his brother.

He stared up at the ceiling waiting for Sam to make the first move. Dean was torn between being too mushy and being a tough guy. He was just over a month pregnant and the mushy chick flick moments were winning. Vagina and fetus or not Dean valued his male attributes and in the past weepy displays of affection he viewed as weakness in himself.

Sam wiggled over next to him and touched a cold foot to his brother's leg. Dean yelped, "Fuck Sam, Santa better bring you some slippers!" Sam's answer to that was putting his other cold foot on Dean.

Dean rose up holding a pillow above his head, "Try it again bitch."

Sam broke into a fit of laughter as he raised his leg and wiggled his toes in his brother's face. Dean smacked him with a pillow.

"Dean no fair, I can't hit you back because of the baby!"

Dean flopped back on the bed tucking his arms behind his head, "Just wait until I birth this kid, it's on."

Sam took Dean's hand under the blanket and squeezed it, "I know we don't say it but…"

"Don't Sam."

Sam said it anyway, "I love you Dean." He placed a hand on Dean's belly, "I just want us have normal lives."

"Maybe you'll have a normal life but I won't. People will always treat me different because of my…"

"Vagina?"

Dean sighed, "Yeah my vagina. No know I'm beginning to think you just like saying the word vagina."

"I'm precocious."

"Perverted you mean."

"Takes one to know one, goodnight jerk."

"'Night bitch…love you too."

TBC