Almost 2 Years Ago

Tony sat in his apartment with a bottle of scotch. He poured his third drink while he watched the news footage on the TV. He couldn't believe it. Those two men that shot up that diner did not look like his younger brothers. Something had to be wrong. It obviously wasn't a couple of shifters since there was no glow in the eyes. It could be demon or angel possession, but it was unlikely with all the protection the boys had, according to Bobby.

Maybe it was that Leviathan thing Bobby mentioned months ago. Tony pulled out his cell, dialed Bobby's number and downed his scotch quickly as he waited for an answer.

"It's not them. Now I'm really busy with this son of a bitch that can't be killed, so do you need anything else?" Bobby's voice sounded exhausted and completely frustrated. Tony sighed.

"If it's not them then what is it?"

"It's a couple of Leviathan. No I don't know how to kill them. No I don't know how to hurt them. I'm working on it. What is it with you boys and the inability to get answers elsewhere?"

"Bobby-"

"I said I'm busy. I'll call you when I actually have answers." Bobby ended the call.

Tony poured himself another glass of scotch.


Couple Months Later

Tony stood over a the body of a Leviathan. The thing's head was a few feet away from the rest of the body. He waspouring borax on the twitching body while he dialed Bobby's number. It's answered on the second ring.

"Bobby, I just wanted to double check how you get rid of these things-"

"Bobby is dead."

All at once Tony couldn't process what he just heard and the fact that it was his youngest brother's voice coming through the speaker.

"He got shot in the head. Dick Roman." Tony didn't respond. "Tony. I know it's you. I know you went to Bobby all those years ago to get out. I've known since I got back from Stanford. Bobby was thrilled I didn't cut all ties with Dean like you did."

"Sam-"

"Did you know he cried when he found out you were never coming back? That was the only time I ever saw him cry until Dad died. Bobby said you didn't want the hunting life, yet you're still hunting. I honestly can't believe you did that to Dean, to us. You left us with a man who was out for revenge."

"Sammy-"

"No. Shut up. I hope I never hear from you again. Don't ever call us or this number. I don't think I can forgive you, and you don't deserve any forgiveness from Dean." Sam hung up the phone.

Tony pocketed his phone on autopilot. He went through the motions of burying the Leviathan's body. Only when he got home, did he let himself mourn. He mourned Bobby, and he mourned the fact that his brothers would never speak with him again. At one point, that was exactly what he hoped would happen. Now…he wasn't so sure.


Dean stood and walked over to the bars of his cell. Tony stood on the other side. The two brothers said nothing right away. Dean was tense, like a caged animal, just waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Tony knew he was responsible for the caged animal response, and therefore approached with caution.

That caution grated on Dean's nerves. It'd been the same caution Sam had been showing him since he got out and found out Sam hadn't looked for him. "How's Sammy?"

"Sammy is-"

"Sam." Tony sighed at Dean's harsh response.

"-Sam is going to be just fine. He should hopefully be getting out of surgery soon."

"Guess you can live to see another day, McLucky." McGee tried his hardest not to flinch from the deadly look in Dean's eyes.

"We both know it wasn't McGee that shot Sam."

"I know. It was a shifter. We killed it's mate thing, or whatever, but we only had heard rumors. Now we know the bitch is real."

"Okay, only the Winchesters would stumble upon a pair of shifters and kill only one!" He lowered his voice so no one but Dean would hear him. "Bobby said you two were the best. What-"

Dean grabbed Tony's shirt and pulled him in, slamming his older brother's head into the bars. "Don't say his name. You had no right to keep tabs on us. If Sammy hadn't been there, I would have shot you in the face."

When Tony got close, he slid two keys into Dean's pocket.

"Tony-!"

The guard was on his feet, gun out, pointed at Dean's head. "Let him go Winchester!"

"Dean-o."

"You said you'd be one phone call away. Family shouldn't make bullshit promises like that." Dean dropped his hold on Tony. He raised his hands and backed up before sitting back on the bench.

Tony moved his gaze from Dean's broken one and straightened out his clothes. He reached up and flinched at the pain from the bruise already forming on his forehead. He kept his gaze on the ground for a few seconds so he could school his expression. He couldn't let McGee and Dean see just how much Dean's words had hurt him. Tony messed with his suit again, before walking over to McGee's cell.

"Tony, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, McGeek. Hold on just a little longer in here with him, and Gibbs will have you out of here in no time."

"Okat, but what the hell did he mean by a shifter? What is a shifter? And why do you know about the shit he's spewing? He and his brother believe in the occult, we can't listen to that nonsense."

"Tim, shut up. I can't deal with this right now. I have work to do. Just hold in there." Tony pushed past the guard and left the room.


24 Years Ago

"S-so monsters are real? It's all real?...and you and dad hunt them?" Sam looked at his older brother, honestly believing him, since Dean wouldn't lie to him.

The past couple years, Sam had noticed that Dean had never lied to him, except about this; and his older brother looked so relieved to finally tell him.

"Yes. We protect people and Dad would never let anything hurt us, so don't you worry. I will always protect you too."

Sam nodded and sat down next to Dean. "I know you didn't tell me to protect me…how are you not scared?"

Dean shrugged. "It was hard at first, but Tony talked me to sleep for a few months. He told me that a monster will never attack me while he was there. It worked. Later, Dad gave me a gun to keep under my pillow at night. During the day, I always looked over my shoulder, until Tony gave me that leather bracelet and told me I'd always be protected if I wore it."

"Didn't that break last year?"

Dean shook his head. "I threw it away after you gave me this necklace for Christmas. I decided that I rather have this protect me. I haven't been afraid ever since." He bumped his shoulder against Sam's, hoping to lighten the "chick flick moment."

Sam smiled. "Thanks for telling me the truth, Dean."

Dean nodded.

"Dean…do you miss T?"

Dean tensed, and then reluctantly nodded. "Now let's finish our Scooby-Doo Marathon before Dad gets back."

Sam agreed.

The next day, after school, Dean bought Sam a braided bracelet that was meant to protect him. Sam wore it for years.


Oh my! Two updates in like two days! It's an honest to goodness miracle! Anyway, I'm sure you all noticed. I changed my username. It is now ! But it is still me, c-suscpicion16! I love you all!

Also, I joined AO3 under anonymous_seal. I will be posting this story there too. I only have two chapters up so far. Come and support me!