John hovered his finger over the call button for several minutes; Bobby Singer was a guy you wouldn't want to mess with. A hard shell with a soft centre is what Karen, his wife, called him; when John appeared at Singer Salvage yard as a young father of one over energetic boy, desperate for a job.
'What experience do you have?' an abrupt capped wearing individual had asked John at the time of his arrival, whilst fingering an oil covered rag.
'I'm good with Cars, can fix just about anything' John had replied. This guy was only a few years older than him and yet he was looking upon him like something he had stepped in. He needed the job and refrained his attitude as Mary insisted they needed the money.
'there's no work available' with that the man attempted to slam the door closed but John put his foot in the way 'Listen, I need a job. I have a 4 month old at home and I need to be able to feed him'
'not my issu…'
'Robert Edward Singer!' a young woman barged Singer out the way and scowled at him which was returned with an eye roll. 'You will have to excuse my husband, you see he thinks he can do everything on his own' at this point Bobby walks away. 'You are hired dear, but ignore him, he is a hard shell with a soft centre – you'll see' with a wink.
With that John and Bobby became like brothers, extended Bobby's business by opening their own Mechanic shop and watched their business boom. Mary and Karen became instant friends and Dean and Sam grew up with an Uncle and Auntie that weren't related 'Family doesn't end with blood boy'
John clicked the phone symbol and before the first ring ended an abrupt 'John what the hell is going on' Bobby practically shouts down the phone.
'Bobby I'm here – currently talking to some dick in charge of the prison'
'don't you dare lose your temper John, just do anything to get Dean home. How is he? How's he doing?'
'That's what I'm trying to do Bob and that's the reason for my call – as for Dean, I haven't actually seen him yet' that his John like a train, he's been here for hours yet still hasn't seen his son.
'What do you mean you haven't seen him yet?'
'I haven't seen him Bobby, what more do you want me to say. Listen, this guy seems to have it in fo..'
'what the hell is going on'
'Singer, let me speak…right, to get Dean home I have to pay a bail.'
'shit'
'Bobby, I have the company credit card in my wallet'
'use it'
Singer you don't know how much they are asking for'
'use it'
'its $35,000'
'For GOD SAKES, Winchester, you have the god damn credit card. We have is at least $50,000 on the damn thing. USE IT and get our boy home'
'thanks Bobby'
'Don't thank me, you haven't seen your kitchen. I'm in charge of looking after Mary and you know what Karen's like – she's baking Dean about 5000 pies' with that Bobby hangs up.
John puts his phone back into his pocket takes his credit card out of his wallet and walks into the room where Jackson is sat laughing with his goons. John walks over to the desk and throws his credit card upon it. Jackson stars at John in disgust, John picks up the pen and signs all 8 forms. 'now release my son'
Brian the young prison guard is taking John back towards the cells. Before he gets closer he turns around and stops John.
'Mr Winchester, firstly I want to apologise for how you were treated in there – further to that. I want to apologise for the way Dean has been treated. I tried to stop and help but…you can tell what Mr Jackson is like'
Before John can reply, Brian turns around and continues to walk. The closer they get to the cells the louder the voices get and the bigger the rock grows in the bit of Johns stomach. They turn a corner and John stops dead in his tracks.
He is facing the cell he walked past earlier. The 4 enormous guys now had the young lad in his briefs pinned to the prison bars calling him pretty, pedo, child abuser. Promising to show him what they did kiddy fiddlers in prison. Except this boy wasn't anyone. It was Dean. Dean in nothing but his black briefs shaking his head in denial.
'Get your hands of my son!'
The 4 guys parted revealing Dean to John, yet the Leader of the group still his hand around Deans neck. 'Dad?' Dean squeaked as the leader's hand tightened, the leader lent forward and whispered in Deans ear, loud enough for everyone to hear. 'Aaww Daddy's come to watch'
Brian unlocked the cell door 'That's enough Joel, you've had your fun now let him go. Dean, your being released'
'So what did you do darling? Did you touch her here?' Joel moves his free hand to Deans peck 'or did you did you touch her here' Joels hand travelled south towards Deans crotch, Deans eyes grew big, but before Joel could lay his hand upon Dean, Brian swung his batten onto Joel's arm forcing him to let go of Dean entirely.
'I said that's enough Joel' Brian grabs Dean by the arm and takes him out of the cell and locks it up after him.
Dean folds into his father's hold, John takes a step back to get a better view of his son. He had a split lip and his eye was beginning to slowly change colour, but that wasn't the worst, his sons body was a camouflage of blue, purples and yellows. He eyes travelled back to Dean's face, now cradled into his big hands. Dean cleared his throat 'it's not all from them. I fought back, I swear Dad, I fought back' Dean held up his hands showing his scuffed and bruised knuckles 'see'
'I can see son, how about we get you home' Dean nodded in agreement. They followed Brian into a separate room where he had Dean sit on a bench and he explained everything that had happened between John and Mr Jackson, he informed Dean that he would be returning home to Kansas on the condition that Dean wore an ankle tag. Dean just nodded along, taking in all the information. Brian fitted Dean with his ankle tag and Dean didn't object.
It finally hit John that his son was still sat there with no clothes on, he put the bag that Mary had packed next to Dean on the benches and grabbed out a few items for his son to put on; baggy jeans, a simple tshirt, socks, trainers and a hooded top.
Dean continued to sit there, now dressed, listening to all the information that Brian was giving to him. Brian informed that a taxi had already been called to get take them to the airport and should be outside waiting.
John and Dean walked in silence to the taxi, travelled to the airport in silence, brought their tickets in silence, walked through security in silence, brought and ate their food in silence, waited at the gate in silence. It was as if Dean's voice had suddenly disappeared the moment the tag was put onto his leg. John had asked questions but only received a nod or a shake of the head in response. Even now sitting on the plane, John thought he would get a reaction out of him as he knew this was Deans greatest fear.
Dean used to do this when he was a child, if he thought he was in trouble. When he was 6 he went playing in the school field with some older boys and they were all caught carrying matches. Dean had cried the whole time and John had felt a monster shouting at his young boy at how dangerous it was to not only wonder off; but also to be playing with fire. He made sure that his message hit home by making sure Dean realised that Mommy and Daddy would miss him terribly is something had happened to him, but further to that, Sammy would have to grow up without his older brother – 'who would teach him how to play ball Dean?'. Dean hadn't spoken in weeks and John had panicked that he had taken the telling off too far. But as usual it was Sam that brought him out of the silence.
John just hoped that wouldn't be the case now, Sam and Dean hadn't spoken in years. John grabs the bag and gives it to Dean, who gives him a questioning look. 'Your Mom packed you everything she thought you needed for the flight' Dean smiled having a look through, as the plane started to move towards the runway Dean took out his ipod. As the plane speeded up as did his search. 'Dad, where's Georgie the Giraffe, Mom would have packed him, but I can't find him'. John rolled his eyes with a smile and slung his arm round Dean's shoulder. Dean may be his right hand man but he would never not be Mary's little boy