Chapter 16

A week later things had gotten into a generally normal routine, and Sam was starting to get somewhat used to the whole dad thing.

And to Sam's utter relief, Clay was beginning to open up to him a little bit more every day.

Things hadn't changed much between Dean and Clay. Dean still didn't talk to Clay unless Clay talked first. Sam thought he was being overly cautious.

Pamela went back home three days ago, but she would call every once in a while to check in on Sam and Clay.

Now, Sam, Dean and Clay were sitting in a small booth at a close by diner eating their lunches in silence until Dean's phone vibrated in his pocket.

With his mouth full of bacon cheeseburger, Dean dropped the greasy burger on his plate and then fishes around his pocket for his phone.

He grabbed it, and then flipped it open and placed it to his ear.

"Yea?" He demanded.

"It's me." Bobby's gruff voice replied.

"Hey Bobby, what's up?" Dean asked a little more relaxed.

Sam and Clay gave Dean wary looks but continued eating their meals.

"I think I've finally got a beat on Bela." Bobby said seriously.

"I'm listening." Dean replied, suddenly very interested.

"Rufus Turner. Canaan, Vermont." Bobby said simply.

"What?" Dean asked confused.

"He's a hunter, or used to be. Anyway I put the word out on Bela months ago. He just called, saying someone got in touch with him wanting to buy a few things." Bobby explained.

"And he thinks it's Bela?" Dean asked curiously.

At Bela's name, Sam's head snapped up and he glared at Dean sharply. Clay looked at Sam with confusion.

"British accent," Bobby said halfheartedly, "went by the name Mia Chandler."

"She's used that before." Dean replied as his eyebrows knit together, "That's a bit of a sloppy move, getting in touch with one of your old friends."

"Friend?" Bobby asked with a chuckle, "Haven't laid eyes on him in fifteen years, and he's not the Christmas card type. I doubt she knows I know him."

"Thanks Bobby." Dean said simply as he was about to hang up.

Bobby cut of off quickly, "One other thing, take a bottle of Johnny Walker, blue."

"Okay, thanks."

Dean then hung up the phone and put it in his pocket.

"You guys done eating?" Dean asked excitedly, suddenly not so hungry anymore.

"What was the call about?" Sam asked as he put his fork down into his salad bowl.

"That was Bobby; I think we found someone who can tell us where Bela is." Dean explained as he pulled his wallet from his pocket, pulled out a small wad of bills and threw them on the table.

"That's great," Sam said halfhearted enthusiasm, "when are you planning on going?"

"Now!" Dean exclaimed as he shoved his wallet back into his pocket and scrambled to his feet. Sam and Clay remained sitting.

"Come on Sam! Let's go!" Dean said sounding a little annoyed.

Sam sighed, and then forged a mental connection with Dean, but also putting up walls so Clay couldn't overhear.

"What about Clay?" Sam asked silently, and with great emotion.

Dean flinched at hearing Sam's voice in his head, and was about to yell at him when he saw Sam's pleading eyes.

"I don't know! But this is important Sam!" Dean thought back.

"So is this." Sam said motioning toward Clay with his head.

"Could we just leave him with that neighbor?" Dean pleaded.

"I don't know her, Dean!" Sam replied with an eye roll.

"What then? You wanna take him with us?" Dean asked angrily.

"I don't think that'd be a good idea…he still has no idea what we do, and I wanna keep him in the dark as long as possible." Sam replied sadly.

"Then what?" Dean demanded furiously.

"Bobby maybe?" Sam asked hopefully.

Dean chuckled in his mind, and tried desperately to keep it off his face so he didn't alarm Clay.

"You want Bobby to babysit?" Dean asked with a laugh.

"I don't know what else then, Dean!" Sam snapped angrily.

Dean rolled his eyes, "Fine, but you're asking him. Not me."

"Fine." Sam replied in agreement as he cut the connection.

"I'll be right back." Sam mumbled as he stood from the booth and walked into the men's room.

When he walked in the room, he looked to see if he was alone. When he was satisfied, he pulled his phone from his pocket, and dialed Bobby's number, then held the phone to his face.

It rang twice before Bobby finally answered.

"Hello?" Bobby answered questioningly.

"Hey Bobby, it's me." Sam greeted simply as he shoved his free hand into his pocket nervously.

"Hey kid, what's up? Dean tell you what I told him?" Bobby asked enthusiastically.

"Y-yea," Sam stammered, "that's kinda what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Go on." Bobby pressed.

"Well, we got Clay with us…and he doesn't know…about what Dean and I do." Sam explained a little shakily.

"And?" Bobby prodded.

"Well," Sam continued, "we can't leave him here alone…a-and, well I-I was hoping, that you would maybe…babysit?"

Sam heard Bobby sigh with annoyance.

"Damn." Bobby muttered.

"Sorry Bobby, but who else could I ask ya know?"

"Fine, bring the kid by. But you owe me, boy." Bobby replied and then hung up the phone.

Sam did the same, and then shoved his phone back in his pocket.

Sam shrugged, and then walked back out into the diner where Dean and Clay stood by the front door waiting for him.

Dean looked at him questioningly, and Sam nodded.

Sam then turned his attention to Clay and sighed.

"Clay, the second we get home, I want you to pack your stuff, okay?" Sam told him slowly and seriously.

"Where're we going?" Clay asked as he cocked his head.

"We're gonna drop you off at our friends' house a little while from here. He's gonna take care of you for a few days. Alright, kiddo?"

"No!" Clay exclaimed, "I don't wanna leave you guys!"

"I swear it's only for a little bit. We will be back for you, you hear me?" Sam said emotionally.

Clay began to tear up, and Sam rolled his eyes. He then put his walls down so Clay could read his emotions.

Clay's eyes opened wide as Sam's emotions came into him. There was no hatred like there was with his mother, but something dangerously close to love.

He then knew that Sam was telling the truth.

Clay nodded in defeat, and Sam slowly put his walls back up.

"Alright, let's go." Sam said as he pat Clay on the back.

Dean nodded and the three of them headed out the front door.

Heartbreaking, I know. I'm horrible. Haha.

More to come soon! :)