A/N: Hello everyone! Thanks for reading! Have a chapter!

I do not own Supernatural or its characters.


Chapter 8: Happy Birthday to You


For some reason that John couldn't quite fathom, Bobby woke him after only about four hours of sleep and insisted they hit the road. John couldn't think of a single reason for this, and the other hunter only chuckled at questions and acted like John was joking and must already know. He'd have strangled the man if Bobby wasn't injured, and told him as much.

They climbed back into their cars, John wanted Bobby to ride with him, but then he was reminded that Bobby had driven himself here, and John couldn't really drive two cars. Bobby said he wasn't all that concussed, anyway, and had driven himself places with far worse than he had now. After what seemed an eternity, with John convinced Bobby was about to crash any second the entire way, they pulled up in front of Bobby's house.

A small figure ran out of the kitchen as they entered, hurrying to greet them with an elated yell. Then he skidded to a stop and stared at John, his face unreadable. John knew the shock and horror of last night's events was starting to hit him, and wondered if it showed on his face. Then Dean walked over and wrapped his arms around his father, "It's okay Daddy." John hugged him back, burying his hand in the boy's hair. He smiled. Dean didn't even know what they had been doing, and he was still there for him. What a great kid.

John pulled away, still smiling, "Hello to you to, sport." Dean grinned. Dammit, the kid looked like he was in heaven.

Bobby cleared his throat, and both Winchesters turned their attention onto the other man, who was smiling mysteriously and holding his hands behind his back. John studied him, puzzled. Did this have something to do with Bobby's strange rush back? He remembered him insisting on stopping by a store. What was going on?

"Hey, Dean. Guess what I got behind my back?"

Dean looked just as confused as he did, "Ummm, I don't know. What?"

"Aww, you're no fun. Anyway, here," He pulled a large toy truck out from behind him and Dean's eyes lit up, "Happy birthday, kid." Wait. What? Dean ran at him and took the toy, studying it carefully, "Sammy and I can have lots of fun with this," He looked back at the hunter, "Thank you!"

John was still trying to figure out how it could be Dean's birthday and how he could have forgotten when the small boy turned his expectant gaze onto him. Yeah, thanks a lot Bobby. He didn't have to put John on the spot like that. John felt his pockets, hoping he would find something he could pass off as a present. He ignored Bobby's disapproving glare as he held out a hunting knife, "Here, Dean. Happy birthday." Dean took it hesitantly, studying it before saying, "Thank you?" a second later his excitement returned, "Daddy! Uncle Bobby! Wait there! I have something to show you!" He darted off, his precious gifts held tightly as he ran upstairs. John turned to glare at Bobby, "What the hell was that?"

"I could ask you the same question. After all, it wasn't me gave a five-year-old a hunting knife for a present."

"I forgot it was his birthday. Speaking of which, how did you know?"

"You told me in our first conversation. I asked you how old they were, you said and I quote, 'Dean will be five on the twenty-fourth.'" Oh, yeah. This was ringing a few bells.

Dean came trooping back in, Sam firmly held in his arms, his little hands gripping Dean's shirt for balance. The baby looked confusedly from one adult to the other, as if unsure what to make of them, before burying his head in Dean's chest, one eye still peeking at John and Bobby. Dean grinned at him, "Come on, Sammy. Tell them what you told me." The baby moved his head to stare at the boy as if he was insane. Dean tried again, "Come on, Sammy. Please." He looked at the baby pleadingly.

Suddenly Sam grinned and pushed a hand into his brother's face, "Dee!" he yelled, giggling, showing off dimples. Dean grinned back at them, "Hear that? He said my name!"

Bobby spoke, "Sounds like Sam got you a present to, and a damn good one," He jerked his head toward the door, "How about helping me with groceries? There might even be a cake if you hurry." John excused himself as they all went out the door, talking and laughing. So much had happened in the last few days and he just needed a moment to process it all.


Dean was so happy right now. Daddy was back, Sam had talked, and Uncle Bobby had brought back food! Not only that, apparently it was his birthday, and now he had some new presents! He wasn't entirely sure how he felt about Daddy's present, Mommy's warning about knives echoing back through his head, but he would think about it later. It had been a very strange birthday, all the other's had been such celebrations, with Mommy getting up early to decorate the house, and baking a cake the day before that she did a very poor job of hiding, but it was no less wonderful. It wasn't like anything had been normal since the fire, anyway.

He shrieked as Uncle Bobby suddenly grabbed his legs, lifting him onto his shoulders as he walked back inside. Sam squealed excitedly as they entered, crawling quickly as he tried to keep up with the man's long strides. He set Dean down as they entered the kitchen, before setting the last of the bags on the counter and getting to work unloading their contents. He got a pan out of the cabinet, "Dean! How about you get started unloading that crap, and I'll make us some lunch."

Dean grinned, sounded good to him. He'd do anything for food at this point, and the stuff Uncle Bobby had brought back looked delicious. He scooted a chair to the counter.

Lunch was great. Dean and Bobby sat at the table, Sam in Dean's lap. He reached towards Dean's food and cooed pleadingly.

"Uh-uh Sammy. That's for big people. I'll fix you a bottle in a minute, okay?" Sam frowned. But he wanted what they were having.

Bobby spoke, "You know, he is getting a bit old for formula. If you want, we could work on weaning him."

Dean looked confused. This was how things were. The idea of anything changing sounded strange to his ears. Still, if Uncle Bobby thought- wait!

"Um, Uncle Bobby? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure kid, shoot."

"Why does Sammy cry all the time? He didn't used to, not before- not before everything changed, but now, he cries all the time, especially right after he wakes up, and... What do I do?

"Well, looks to me like you just gotta keep doing what you been doing. He's a baby, it's practically their job description."

"But he's sad. I don't want him to be sad. I want him to be happy."

"And I'm sure he will be. How could he not with such an amazing big brother?"

"You think I'm amazing?"

"Kid, I've seen full grown adults couldn't do what you're doing," The idjit sulking upstairs rather than celebrating his son's birthday, for example, "Now how about that cake?" Dean smiled and nodded.


They stayed another night. Dean woke up the next morning to find Daddy packing up the car. He watched him confusedly, "What's going on?"

"We're leaving, Dean. Go get your stuff. Hey, make sure you get Sammy!" Dean started upstairs, dragging his feet. He liked it here. What would the next place be like?

Bobby passed him on the stairs, "What's wrong, kid?" Dean stared at him for a second before running the rest of the way up. Bobby walked towards the door, "Hey John." The man straightened, setting down the bag in his hand, "Well, Bobby, I think we're done here. I picked a hunt from the board over there. Checked it off."

Bobby nodded, "Okay. Got my number?"

"Yeah. Thanks for everything." John held out a hand in offer of a handshake. Bobby ignored it, "You sure?"

"Sure about what?"

"That you want to leave. What are those boys of yours gonna do if you go tramping all over the country?"

"I'll take them with me. I'll have to get a motel room in any case, and for dangerous hunts I can always leave them with a hunter in the area."

"Oh yeah, 'cause hunters are so easy to find."

John grinned, "Got your number, don't I?"

"I don't know every hunter on the continent!"

"No, but you know a lot, and they'll know others. I'll be okay."

Dean came down the stairs, two duffels dragging from one hand and Sam tightly held in the other. He walked past the adults, not looking up as he walked out the door. Bobby called after him, "Hey, kid!" Dean looked back at him. "I'll see you again, okay?" Dean smiled, nodding slightly. John picked up the last of the stuff, holding out his hand once more, "Well, I guess this is goodbye. See you around." Bobby accepted this time, "Be careful out there. Take care of yourself."

"I will." He walked out, following Dean to the car. Bobby stood at the door, watching as the Impala started up and made its way down the driveway. Finally it was out of sight. He sighed, he hoped he'd see them again, he liked those kids.