Disclaimer: Supernatural and all its characters belong to Kripke and the CW. I own nothing.
Previously on Supernatural- Sammy's lower lip trembled as he set the tablet back on the table. He took one more look at his uncle playing with the baby before hopping off the couch and slowly walking dejectedly to the room he shared with Dean.
SNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSNSN
"Here's your mail Uncle Bobby" Dean called out as he came through the door.
"Thanks, Dean. Just set it on the shelf by the door, I'll look at it later." Bobby instructed not taking his attention off the baby in his arms.
Dean set the stack of papers and envelopes on top of the shelf and walked over to the coffee table. Sitting on the floor behind the table he glanced around the room and frowned. "Uhh, Uncle Bobby? Where's Sammy?" he asked.
"Sammy?" Bobby repeated looking over at Dean in confusion. "Huh, He was sitting on the couch a minute ago. Guess he must have gone back in your room."
"I'm gonna go check on him." Dean told his uncle as he got up off the floor. He walked around the couch and started for the hallway. "Hey Uncle Bobby, you do know that you can put Aaron on the floor to play for a while. You don't have to hold him the whole time." He said smirking.
"Now he tells me." Bobby muttered as he took Aaron and gently laid him on the blanket that Dean had placed on the floor earlier. "Alright Aaron, you stay right there. No crawling off okay?"
In the bedroom
Dean opened the bedroom door and quietly stepped inside. Spotting his little brother curled up on the bed he hurried over. Taking a seat on the side of the bed Dean looked Sam over carefully before asking, "Whatcha doing in here, Sammy?"
Sammy peered up at his big brother. Not wanting to get in trouble with Dean for making Uncle Bobby mad at him he faked a yawn and whispered, "I take a nap."
"Sammy, you quit taking naps a month ago." Dean pointed out. Frowning he placed the back of his hand on his brother's forehead. Finding no sign of a fever he allowed himself to relax just a little. "You feeling okay, kiddo?" he asked brushing the bangs out of Sam's eyes.
"Uh huh, I just tired." Sammy answered nodding his head.
"Yeah, I guess it has been a pretty busy couple of days." Dean conceded pulling the blanket up around Sammy and his stuffed dog. "You want me to stay with you till you go to sleep?"
"Uh huh" Sammy replied. Sticking his thumb in his mouth Sam closed his eyes quickly drifting off to sleep.
A few hours later
"Dean, watch Aaron for me. I'm gonna go start su…Whoa, Aaron! You don't need that!" Bobby shouted racing over to the baby. He grabbed the blue car that Aaron was currently chewing on and set it on the mantle above the fireplace before picking up the baby. Glancing around he found the other car on the coffee table and quickly put it far out of Aaron's reach. After assuring himself that there was nothing else on the floor that could harm the baby, Bobby laid him back on the blanket. "When Sammy wakes up, remind him to keep his toys picked up. He knows better than to leave them lying around like that." Bobby huffed.
Knowing that Sammy had put his cars on the coffee table hours ago Dean jumped to his brother's defense. "But Uncle Bobby…"
"No, buts boy. Sammy either puts his things away like he's supposed to or he'll be taking a trip over my knee. Simple as that. Now I'm going to fix supper. Watch Aaron for me." Bobby ordered stomping out of the room.
"Fine" Dean growled glaring at his uncle's back. Throwing his pencil down on the table he walked over to the baby and plopped down beside him. Hearing a noise in the hall he looked up to see Sammy standing wide eyed in the doorway. "Aww shit!" he thought as he stood and hurried over to his little brother. Wrapping an arm around Sam's shoulder Dean whispered, "It's alright Sammy. Uncle Bobby didn't mean it. He's just upset cause Aaron got a hold of your car. He's not really gonna spank you."
"But, but, I di-didn't…" Sammy stammered burying his face in Dean's chest.
"I know Sammy, I know" Dean soothed rubbing his little brother's back. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it, little brother. Now what do you say we teach Aaron how to crawl? Bet we can get him going before Uncle Bobby finishes supper."
Sammy glanced from Dean to the baby and back before slowly nodding his head.
"Great! C'mon!" Dean hollered grabbing Sammy's hand and dragging him over to the baby. Minutes later both boys were giggling as they played with their new friend.
A little while later
"Boys, supper's…" Bobby called walking into the living room. Seeing the brothers crawling on the floor on either side of the baby he chuckled. "What are you two doing?"
"Teaching Aaron to escape" Dean quipped.
"Oh really?" Bobby played along.
"Yeah, watch" Dean replied with a smirk. "Show him Sammy!"
Sammy crawled a few feet in front of Aaron and turned around to face the baby. Holding out his stuffed dog he waved it back and forth and called out, "Look, Aaron! Doggie! Come get the doggie, Aaron! Come on!" Sammy's dimpled grin just about split his face as Aaron rocked back and forth on his hands and knees before crawling over and reaching out to grab the stuffed toy.
"Great job, boys" Bobby praised patting the boys on the back. He just didn't have the heart to tell the two that Aaron had been crawling for a few weeks now. He walked up behind the baby who quickly scooted away much to the delight of Dean and Sammy. Leaning down he reached out to pick up Aaron frowning as he pretended to miss grabbing him. Rolling his eyes Bobby turned to John's boys. "You boys go get washed up for supper while I catch the little varmint." He instructed making another failed grab for the fast moving baby.
"Okay" Dean and Sammy replied. Standing they raced over to the coffee table to drop off the stuffed dog before hurrying down the hallway.
"Come on Aaron" Bobby said as he scooped up the baby. "We better get ourselves a plate before those two come back and eat it all." After a swift look around to make sure nothing had been left on the floor, Bobby headed into the kitchen with Aaron. He pulled the high chair over to the table stopping next to his chair. Setting the tray on top of the table he carefully placed Aaron in the seat. Holding onto the baby with one hand he reached over to grab the tray.
"I got it, Uncle Bobby" Dean called as he and Sammy raced back into the room.
Sammy ran up to his chair and stood next to it waiting for his uncle to lift him into the chair like he always did. After a couple of seconds waiting, he turned to see Bobby and Dean getting Aaron settled into his high chair. Sighing he turned back and slowly climbed up into his seat. Getting up on his knees he sat back and waited for his family to notice him.
"Thanks Dean" Bobby said taking the tray and attempting to put it on the high chair. It took a few tries but he finally got it to click into place. "Alright, let me get Aaron's plate ready and then we can eat."
"Okay" Dean replied spooning some spaghetti onto Sammy's plate. He added some garlic bread and salad to the loaded plate before fixing his own plateful of food.
Dinnertime was unusually quiet with only the sound of silverware and glasses. Thankful for the peace and quiet Bobby alternated between feeding Aaron and himself. Scooping the last spoonful of baby food off of the baby's plate Bobby held it up to Aaron who turned his head away. "Full, huh?" Bobby asked as he set the spoon back down. "Okay, well you sit right there for a little bit and play while I finish eating."
Dean ate the last of his spaghetti and stood to spoon a little more on his plate. Reaching across the table he laughed as he caught sight of a baby food smeared Aaron. "Oh Uncle Bobby" he sing songed.
"What, Dean?" Bobby asked. Seeing Dean point a finger at the baby Bobby turned his head and groaned. "Geez, Aaron you supposed to eat your food not wear it." he muttered. "Did you have to make that big a mess, kiddo?"
Sammy glanced up at Aaron and giggled. The baby sure was a mess. Looking down at his own clean place and hands the youngest Winchester grew excited. Not only were his hands and shirt clean but the table were spotless as well. Anxious to show his uncle that he hadn't made a mess like the baby Sammy scooted up in his chair. "Look Uncle Bobby! I didn't make a mess!" he shouted holding up his hands as he bounced around excitedly.
Bobby glanced over at Sammy just as his elbow hit the half full plate of spaghetti in front of him knocking it into the little boy's lap. "Sammy!" he scolded jumping up to grab a rag.
Sammy immediately stilled peering down at the mess in his lap and on the floor. "I sorry Uncle Bobby!" he cried. "I sorry!"
"I got it, Uncle Bobby" Dean sighed taking the rag from his dad's friend. "You go ahead and get Aaron cleaned up. I'll take care of Sammy."
"You sure, Dean?" Bobby asked as he gently lifted the baby out of the high chair.
"Yeah" Dean replied picking up his little brother and setting him on the floor.
"Alright Dean. Sammy, help your brother clean up that mess." Bobby ordered as he started out the door. "I'll be in the back if you need me."
Dean watched Bobby walk out of the room before turning back to his crying little brother. Sighing he gave Sammy a hug being careful of his spaghetti smeared shirt and pants. "Come on Sammy. Let's get this cleaned up and get you in the tub." He instructed as he picked up the broom and dust pan. "If we hurry, we might have time to watch some TV before bed." Dean handed Sammy the dust pan and quickly went to work sweeping up the spaghetti and noodles. Once he had gotten all he could up he traded the broom for a mop and began mopping the floor while his little brother emptied the dust pan and then wiped off the table and chair. Together they made quick work of the mess finishing the job in record time. After putting away all the cleaning supplies, the boys headed for the bathroom for a bath.
A half hour later
"Sammy, get back here!" Dean hollered playfully as he chased his giggling sibling down the hall. He slowly ran out of the hall and into the living room rounding the couch just as his little brother tripped on the towel wrapped around his waist and fell to the floor. Racing over he slid down beside his now crying sibling and sat him up. "Sammy, you okay?" Dean asked as he carefully checked his little brother for injuries.
"NOOO" Sammy wailed holding out his arm, "I I hurted my arm!"
"Let me see, Sammy" Dean replied. He gently took the injured limb in his grasp and inspected the small gash near the little boy's elbow.
"What's going on?" Bobby asked racing into the room.
"We were playing and Sammy fell." Dean explained as he continued to comfort Sam.
"He alright?" Bobby questioned walking over to the boys.
"Yes sir" Dean replied not taking his attention off his brother. "He just cut his arm on the table."
"Haven't I told you two not to run in the house?" Bobby huffed kneeling down to get a better look at the gash. Hearing the baby starting to cry in the other room he quickly stood back up. "Great, now you went and woke Aaron up. You two have got to remember to be quiet. There's a baby in the house." He scolded. "Can you take care of that?"
"Piece of cake" Dean assured his uncle.
"Good, get Sammy fixed up and then go get your shower and the two of you get to bed." Bobby sternly ordered.
Glancing at the clock on the wall Dean opened his mouth to protest only to snap it shut noticing how exhausted the hunter was. "Yes sir" he replied standing up. "Come on Sammy" he added helping his little brother to his feet. The boys quietly walked down the hall and into the bathroom.
Dean settled Sammy on the floor and then grabbed the first aid kit from the cabinet under the sink. After disinfecting and bandaging the cut, Dean helped his little brother get his pajamas on and walked him to their room. He pulled down the covers on the bed and waited for Sammy to climb up. Once Sam was situated on the bed Dean tucked his little brother in. "Okay, Sammy I'm gonna go get my bath now. Why don't you pick a book for me to read while you wait?" Dean suggested as he scooped up his pajamas and walked out of the room.
"Okay Dean" Sammy agreed pulling his small backpack closer. "Come on Spot let's…Spot?" Climbing off the bed Sammy searched the room for his stuffed dog. Remembering he had left the dog in the living room the little boy started to run out of the room stopping as he recalled his uncle's earlier scolding. Walking to the door he silently stepped out into the hall glancing both ways to make sure the coast was clear. Seeing no one Sammy quickly and quietly walked down the hall and into the living room. Going over to the table he frowned glancing under and around the dog-less table. Finding no sign of Spot Sammy decided to risk going to ask his Uncle Bobby. He slowly walked back down the hall pausing at Bobby's bedroom door. Raising a shaky hand he opened the door and stepped inside. Glancing around the little boy found no Bobby only Aaron sleeping in his playpen. Tiptoeing up to the playpen Sammy gasped. Aaron had Spot clutched in his tiny hand. Getting down on his knees Sammy carefully reached between the bars and grabbed hold of Spot's head. He slowly began to pull the dog away from the baby.
Bobby walked back into his room and froze. "What the hell?" he thought seeing the youngest Winchester pulling on something in the playpen. Rushing over he grabbed the little boy's hand yanking him up and quickly marching him out the door. After closing his bedroom door, Bobby lit into Sammy. "What the hell did you think you were doing Sammy; you trying to wake up Aaron?" he growled as he pulled the little boy up the hall.
"No Uncle Bobby, I just getting Spot." Sammy explained. "I not wake the baby."
"Don't matter what you meant to do Sammy. You were told to go to bed." Bobby scolded opening the door to the boys' room. He swatted Sammy's behind twice before letting the little boy's arm go. "Now you git in that bed and stay there!"
Sammy ran over to the bed and climbed in burying his head in the pillow.
A few minutes later
Dean tiptoed into the bedroom and closed the door. The sound of his little brother crying had him rushing to the bed. "Sammy, what's wrong?" he worriedly asked as he sat down next to his brother. "Are you hurt?"
Sammy threw himself into his big brother's arms. "Spot gone!" he sobbed around the thumb in his mouth.
"It's okay Sammy. We can find him." Dean comforted his brother. "You left him on the table in the living room, remember?"
"No, he gone Dean! Spot gone!" Sammy repeated shaking his head.
"Hey, hey calm down kiddo. I'll take care of it." Dean assured running a hand through his brother's hair. "Come on; let's go to the…No? Okay, then you stay here and I'll go get Spot. That sound better?" Feeling Sammy nod Dean hugged his brother for a little while longer before breaking the hug. He settled Sammy down onto the bed tucking him in once again and then climbed off the bed. "Be right back Sammy" he said as he headed out the door to find the missing toy.
The next morning
Dean walked over to the front door and let Wolf, Bobby's German Sheppard puppy, outside before heading into the kitchen. "Morning Uncle Bobby" he greeted as he plopped down in the closest chair.
"Morning Dean" Bobby replied setting a plate of pancakes on the table in front of the youngster. "Wanna tell me what Wolf was doing inside?"
"Sammy couldn't find Spot last night." Dean said as he poured syrup on his pancakes.
"And" Bobby prompted.
"And I had to bring Wolf in so Sammy could sleep since somebody told the kid that dogs keep clowns away." Dean finished smirking at the older man.
"Aww crap!" Bobby thought remembering Sam's attempt to reclaim the cherished toy. With everything going on he'd forgotten about Sammy's fear of clowns and the "dogs scare clowns" solution that he himself had told the kid last year. Figuring that he owed someone an apology Bobby pushed his chair back and stood. Going into the living room he found Sammy sitting quietly on the couch staring at the blank TV screen. "Morning Sammy" he greeted taking a seat beside the little boy. "You hungry?" Getting no response Bobby frowned down at the youngster. "Want me to turn on the TV for ya?" he asked reaching for the remote. He switched on the television flipping through the channels until he came to a cartoon. "There you go. That better?" When Sammy still refused to acknowledge him, Bobby began to get concerned. So he did the only thing he knew to do. "Dean, get in here!" he called.
"Yes sir?" Dean asked as he popped in the room. "Oh morning Sammy! You hungry? Uncle Bobby made pancakes." Getting no reply Dean walked over and stood in front of his little brother. "Sammy? What's a matter?" he asked waving his hand in front of the younger boy's face. Sammy didn't even flinch. "Sammy, this isn't funny! Say something!" he ordered as he grabbed his brother's shoulders and shook the little boy.
"Stop Dean!" Bobby hollered pulling his hands off Sammy. "That's not helping!"
"What's going on Uncle Bobby? What's wrong with Sammy?" Dean cried staring at his still as a statue little brother.