4.

The smell of cigarettes hung heavy in the air as the three of them entered the kitchen. There was grime all over the place, clothes strung out on the floor, dirty dishes left to rot in the sink… Eww, who lives like this? Dean was mortified. Sam too felt the same, and both young men made their way through the disgusting kitchen into the living room. Once again, Sylvia pushed past Dean, this time shoving him practically into the wall. Dean snarled at her, feeling like turning her over his knee and giving her a good spanking (and not in the good way)! He was just about to say something when a sickly looking dude walked out of the hallway, holding a little baby wearing a pink onesie two sizes too big. Dean's eyes grew wider and his mouth fell open as he gazed at the little creature. A knot formed in his stomach and he felt like his legs we going to give way. The scrawny man stepped forward; folding out the baby to Sam, who pointed to Dean, "He's the father." Said Sam. Dean held out his arms, and the man gave the baby to him, completely shocked by the waves of emotions that washed over him. Holding little Jenny Marie in his arms somehow didn't feel weird at all, in fact, nothing had ever felt so natural to Dean in his whole life. It was as if right then and there, his whole being shifted, and at the center of it all was this sweet, little thing. "Beautiful." Was all Dean could squeak out. Completely transfixed, he carried little Jenny through the living room into the kitchen, then stepped back out, not wanting to expose her to the filth that lay in there. Then, her little eyes began to flutter open, and Dean found himself starring into the most gorgeous set of green eyes he'd ever seen! Sam stepped forward, smiling down at the baby, "You're sure are right there brother, she is beautiful!" Suddenly, Dean became aware that others were in the room with him, and his resolve quickly straightened up. "She looks a whole lot like you, man." Said the sickly man, pulling out a cigarette from his shirt pocket. Dean stomped over to the man and yanked the cigarette right from his hands "Don't you smoke that around my baby!" he snapped furiously at the man. Sam choked on his own spit, completely taken aback by what Dean said. "Chill out man, ain't like she's never been around the stuff before." What? Before? Are you crazy or something? She's a baby! Dean couldn't help but be angry. The man saw Dean's rage flaring up, and stepped back, not wanting to get punched in the nose. Dean looked back down at Jenny, her eyes locked on Dean's face. "So, you admit that she's yours after all?" Sylvia smirked. Dean scanned the room, not wanting to meet anyone's gaze, not wanting to acknowledge what she'd just said. "We've gotta get to that clinic.", he said, and still holding Jenny, went straight through the living room, into the kitchen, and out the front door, followed by Sam and Sylvia.

The drive to the clinic only took about five minutes, but to Dean it seemed much longer. Sam was sitting up front, holding little Jenny, smiling and making faces at her. Dean had almost let Sam drive, not wanting to let go of the little angel, but Sam pleaded, "Come on', man; let me hold her?" Letting go of her for some reason was harder than he expected, but he trusted Sam, much more than her trusted the brat in the back seat. When they got to the clinic, Dean insisted on holding her again, and another wave of germ phobia came over him. Again, hospitals had never bothered Dean before. Oh sure, he didn't like them, but never regarded them as a dangerous place. But now, holding this precious little child in his arms, every corner seemed frot with danger, dangers of all kind.

Waiting for the doctor, Dean just kept on starring into Jenny's glowing green eyes. She does have my eyes, and her nose is kinda like mine too! In truth, her resemblance to Dean was uncanny. Her face was dotted with tiny freckles and she had the same cheeky grin as Dean had. The color of her hair was yet to be discovered, since she was completely bald. The only indication that she was Sylvia's daughter was her fair complexion, unusually paler than most. A nurse came out and motioned for Dean and Sylvia to follow her. Sylvia, not very interested in the welfare of her child, casually flung her hand up saying, "Go ahead, I'll just wait out here." The nurse gave a surprised look, than opened a door for Dean and the baby. Wow! For all she knows I could be some psycho maniac and she's ok with letting me take her baby back here without her? Dean couldn't believe how irresponsible Sylvia was being! As they made it to a room, a Doctor Walton stood there, greeting Dean and Jenny with a friendly smile, "So, this must be the little darling, and you're Mr. Winchester?" Dean nodded his head and shook the man's hand. "Ok then, let's begin, shall we?" The nurse pulled out a tray that held several tubes, cotton balls, elastic straps, gauzes, and a tiny needle. She then handed them to the doctor, who said, "Ok then, why don't we take a sample of your blood first, just to show her that there's nothing to be afraid of?" Dean smiled at the doctor, pleased with how kind he was. The finger prick was quick, fairly painless, especially for a hunter such as himself. "Now it's your turn, sweetheart!" Dean couldn't help but feel anxious, she was just a little baby, and the thought of anything hurting her made him squeamish. The needle pushed into her tiny finger, and a faint look of discomfort crept over her face, but she didn't cry. That's my girl, thought Dean, his insides shaking a little, feeling very proud of his little girl. She's gotta be a Winchester? "Great job there kiddo! You're such a big girl!" said Dr. Walton, gently wiping the blood from her finger. "Now, if you wouldn't mind waiting out in the hall, this should only take a few minutes." Dean stood up and made his way to the door. "One more thing…" Dean turned to face the doctor. "Children are precious, so it's easy to get wrapped up in them. Just make sure that what you decide to do is for their benefit, and not just your own." His words hit home for Dean more than he could've ever realized. "Thank you doctor, I'll remember that." And with that, Dean walked out the door, a feeling of sadness washing over him as he gazed down at Jenny. I'm not what's best for you.

Sam was playing with Jenny, hopping her on his knee as she giggled with ever bounce. Dean was staring out the window, deep in thought as he contemplated what the doctor had said. There's no way in Hell I could raise her! I can't do the heroic daddy bit; I couldn't do it for Ben so how could I possibly do it for Jenny? Dean could feel tears welling up in his eyes, and he blinked hard trying to hold them back. Besides, he told himself, I don't need a baby; it'd just slow me down. Sam is all I'll ever need. Just two brothers, traveling down the road of life. The family business, without any distractions or extra baggage, nothin', just us. Suddenly, the door to the back office sung open, a nurse standing there with a sheepish grin on her face. "We got the test results back; the blood types match!" Dean's heart nearly plumped down to his stomach. He'd never felt so happy and sad all at once in his whole life! She's mine, he thought, she's REALLY mine! "Of course, to be one hundred percent positive, we'll have to send DNA samples down to the lab for further testing. It should only take a couple of days; do you want us to do that?" Dean shook his head abruptly, knowing full well that she was his; there was no doubt in his mind. "Thanks, but no." Dean looked over at his beautiful, bouncing little miracle. A miracle! He thought, a true miracle! That I, Dean Freaking Winchester, could have made something so precious! If only things were different; if only I could be a good daddy to you… but I can't. I'm sorry Jenny Marie, I just can't.