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Chapter 52

Bobby was out in the junkyard on an old lawn chair. He was drinking in the sun while sipping a cold beer and pouring over an ancient book.

Dean went over to him. There was something that he needed to ask the older hunter. After the incident last night with Cas..he felt that he needed something to show Cas how much he wanted him to stay.

"Hey, Bobby."

"Dean." Bobby nodded to another beat up chair that was folded up, resting against the hull of a burnt out car. "Pull up a seat."

Dean did so, and sat next to the older hunter. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

Bobby bookmarked the page he was trying to decipher and carefully closed the book, waiting for Dean to begin.

"I know we overstayed our welcome already...but I was wondering if we could stay a bit longer? You offered me the guest room after Cas died..I just need somewhere for us to stay while I try and get some money together for a place of our own."

"Dean," Bobby rested a hand on his shoulder gently. "You can stay as long as you want. Truth is, it's lonely around here. It's been nice having everyone around. Bit noisy, but I can get used to it. You can have the room if you want..you don't have to go."

Dean cocked his head, surveying the man.

"Think of it as an apology for the things I said last night. You boys will be safer here, too.. I won't have to worry about you as much. As I said, it's nice to have company."

"As long as you don't mind. I don't want to bother you." Dean said with a bit of uncertainty. Bobby was being generous now, but if somewhere down the line he started getting annoyed with them hanging around..would he lose it and kick them out? "We'll pay rent and everything if you want. I was planning on getting a job somewhere in town, make a few bucks. I still need to get together money to go shopping for Kam..I don't think Cas likes him sleeping in the drawer. Maybe I can sign up for another credit card, or hustle pool, just for some quick cash. After that, I want to try and live clean."

"Don't worry about rent, Dean." Bobby said quietly. He admired Dean's determination to try and make a life for his family. He definitely didn't take after his father in that respect. John loved his boys, but it upset Bobby that he dumped them off in motels all the time, or at Bobby's place, without a second glance back.

The boys never had the life they should have had, and Dean wanted to break that vicious cycle with his own son. Whatever Bobby could do to make that happen, he would. If they stayed with him, it would be safer. None of the monsters ever bothered him here. He had the place heavily warded and the fences were coated with silver. It was like a fortress.

"Speaking of shopping-" Bobby dug into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket, thrusting it toward Dean.

"What's this for?" Dean asked, but he didn't take the money.

"My grandson. Get whatever you need, Dean. Think of it as a gift for him."

"Bobby, I can't-" Dean spluttered, starting to protest, but Bobby cut him off.

"Yes, you can and you will. Don't think of paying me back, either. I don't have anything else to spend it on. Might as well take it. Fix up the room for yourselves. Hell, paint the walls if you want." Bobby pushed the money into Dean's hand, closing his fingers on the cash and patting Dean's closed hand. "Put it to good use."

Dean cleared his throat, feeling extremely grateful. He had no idea how to put his feelings into words so he said simply, "Thanks, Bobby. This means alot." and reached out to give the other a brief one armed hug.

"Alright, enough of this sappy stuff." Bobby said gruffly and Dean could have sworn he saw tears in Bobby's eyes. "What are you waiting for, boy? Go take care of your kid. Get out of here, I have work to do."

"Thanks." Dean said again as he got up, and left the older hunter to continue his study of his book. Bobby smiled under his beard as he watched Dean; it seemed as if he had a new spring in his step. Bobby had been saving that cash, just in case he needed something, but this was the best use he could think of for it. Besides, it's what a father would do for his son.