Chapter 12

"I think we'll be able to bring things to a close tonight, Mr. Montgomery."

Dean stood just behind his father as the latter spoke, the two of them on the stoop of a multi story suburban home. Unlike most jobs, which they put together themselves from seemingly random facts which they would then follow to see if they led anywhere, this one had come to them instead. Pastor Jim had given Mr. Montgomery his father's number, knowing the Winchesters would be able to help. The pastor was more than capable of dealing with a lot of the supernatural on his own, but his parish kept him tied down to a rather restricted area. They didn't have those limitations. Wherever there was trouble, the Winchesters would follow. Hey, that was kind of catchy – it could become the Winchester motto. He'd have to try it out on Sammy. The resounding groans would be well worth it.

"Thank you so much." The short balding man took his father's hand and shook it heartily, standing in the open doorway. "It'll be such a relief to have this done and over with. You and your son are lifesavers."

"It's just what we do, sir." Dean gave him a lopsided grin. When people actually realized what they did and were thankful, nothing could make the job sweeter. Well, okay, a grateful curvy daughter or two would make it even more so, but wasn't likely to happen, so you took what you could get.

Montgomery shook his head as if not able to get his mind around it. "Strange life to lead if you ask me. Is it just the two of you?"

Dean's gaze flicked to his father's face as he held his breath, waiting to see what he would say.

"No, I also have a younger son. His name is Sam."

Dean stared at his Dad surprised. There was no anger, no impatience in the answer, just his father stating calm facts.

"Does he do what you do as well?" Montgomery's curiosity was plain to see, as if secretly excited by what they did. Dean kept his attention centered on his father.

"Not at the moment. He's a student at Stanford University."

Dean's surprise grew. Was that actual pride coating his father's words? When did that happen? He grinned to himself, wondering if this could finally be the beginning of the end -- the one that would lead the three of them to be a family again.

"Nice! I've heard that's a pretty hard school to get into. Wish my son Darryl had the brains for it."

"Sam's always had a thing for books and learning," his father said. "Don't entirely understand the fascination with it myself. But he's giving it his all."

Yeah, pride. That was definitely pride. Dean felt his spirits rising higher than they had in months.

The conversation went on for another couple of minutes before they were finally able to pull away. Dean followed his father to the Impala, trying to figure out the best way to bring up the only thing he'd been able to think about since it jammed itself in his head.

The doors creaked closed, and Dean turned to face his father as the latter started the car. "You, you talked about Sammy!"

His father's brows bunched together as if he didn't understand the statement. "Is there some reason why I shouldn't?"

Dean was flabbergasted. "But before…"

His father turned halfway in his seat to stare at him fully. "Before what?"

Dean shook his head. "Dad, I mean, well, does that, does that mean Sammy can come home?"

His father's face closed up as if he'd drawn a curtain over it. "Has he asked about coming home?"

Dean's hopes suddenly scattered for cover. "No, sir. Not specifically."

His father turned to face the front of the car again. "He left of his own free will. He won't be invited back. He has to ask to come home."

Dean stared at his father wondering if he would ever understand this mess. His father and brother were more stubborn than any human beings had a right to be. It was a miracle they'd ever been a family in the first place. "Dad, if you don't give him a way to think he has a prayer, there's, there's no way he's going to ask."

His father shrugged his shoulders in answer, every line in his body tense. "To believe that is his choice."

Dean pressed his lips together into a thin line to keep from snapping back and run the risk of making things worse. Sooner or later one or the other of them would give, right? Right?