Damn Witches

Witches were always a pain in the ass. The spells and the rituals and the things they did to people. John Winchester didn't like dealing with them but he was a hunter. While tracking down the think that killed Mary, he hunted the things that people thought were nothing more than ghost stories. He was training his boys in the business, well Dean more than Sam but he made sure Sam knew the basics in how to defend himself at the tender age of six.

Six years old and already the kid could throw a punch. Then again he had to learn with a brother like Dean. John watched as his boys wrestled on the ground of the motel. Apparently Sam was trying to get back a toy that Dean was playing keep away with. As much as he wanted to make them behave, John hesitated. He knew that staying safe was important but so were moments like this. That's why he was reluctant to go hunt the witch that he was after.

When Sam finally managed to wrestle his toy car away from Dean, John called Dean over saying that was enough. He looked at his eldest son and took in the hazel green eyes. He had an expression that was similar to Mary's when his full attention was on something. It made him miss Mary all the more which was why he was trying to find the demon that killed her. Right now though he had to deal with a witch who was doing something to the kids in town. He didn't want to leave his boys alone but hehad to protect them

"What do you need me to do Dad?"

John's attention was diverted to Dean where he was waiting expectantly. He said, "I'm going out to work Dean. I need you to look after your brother while I'm gone. You remember the drill?"

"Yes sir."

John wanted to tell Dean not to do that but he had taught the boy to follow his orders and somewhere along the line had both of his sons call him sir when he was being serious. He smiled and ruffled Dean's hair as he stood up and picked up his duffle. Before he left, he turned towards Dean and said, "Now you know that when I call, I let it ring once and then I call back."

"Yes sir."

"Keep the door locked and the salt lines down."

"Yes sir."

John took one last look at his sons and then left the motel room. He headed towards the Impala and threw his bag in the car before getting in and starting the engine. He cast one last look before he took off to meet a fellow hunter Gabe.

Dean locked the door and went to check up on Sammy. At ten, he already was taking care of his brother like a parent would. He made sure Sammy ate his meals, did his homework when they went to school, and made sure he went to bed on time. Dinner was going to be simple as it always was. He went to the kitchen and called out, "Sammy, you want Spaghetti O's?"

Sam let out a slight groan and hoped that Dean didn't hear it. He really didn't want to eat it but it was pretty much all they had at the moment. Dad hadn't been able to get paid yet so they had to make do with the cheap stuff. He replied, "Okay Dean."

Dean knew Sammy was tired of the stuff and so was he but they had to make due. He made sure Sammy was watching TV while he cooked their dinner. It was one can so they had to split it. Dean though gave Sammy the bigger half. The other stuff didn't matter because Sammy was his priority. It was his job to watch out for Sam.

The food was done heating up and Dean had it dished out when he called for his brother. Sammy came in carrying a rather battered German shepherd toy dog. He said, "Look Dean, I found this under the bed."

Dean was almost ready to snatch whatever it was out of Sam's hand. The spot under the bed was his hiding place and he had told Sammy that hundreds of times and to stay away. It was also where he hid the spare shotgun aside from the one under his pillow. When he saw what it was, he stopped. He had forgotten that he stashed it under there. He said, "Where did you find it?"

"Under the bed like I said Dean," Sam replied giving a frown. "It was sticking out. Why do you have it?"

Of course Sammy wouldn't remember and Dean never really showed anyone. Sometimes when he was scared he would pull it out and hold it until Dad came back from a job. He remembered getting it when he was sick but the lady who gave it to him was like a dream. He couldn't remember her face. He remembered calling it his sleeps. It sounded funny now but what she said was true since Sammy held it when he was sick and he got better. Since then Dean held onto and in a way it did protect him. He said to Sammy, "That's Xander, Sammy. He's a superhero dog."

"Doesn't look like it to me," Sam replied as he sat at the table. He frowned as he tried to discern what was so special about the dog.

"Well he is. He's special so shut up and eat your dinner."

Sam stuck out his tongue before looking down at his bowl. He watched as Dean took small bites trying to make his last. He knew that Dean had giving him more than his fair share. He tried to empty some into Dean's bowl was stopped from doing it. He didn't try again and listened to Dean when it was time to go to bed. As Dean was tucking him in, Sam asked, "Dean, are there monsters under the bed?"

Dean smiled at his younger brother, "No Sammy. I checked."

"Are you sure?"

Dean decided to do something about it. He went to fetch Xander who was left on the table and brought it over to Sam. He handed it over, "Here. He'll watch out for them Sammy. He won't let anything bad happen to you."

It did seem childish but the look on his baby brother's face told Dean that it was worth it. He waited until he was sure that Sammy was asleep before doing a patrol check on the room. He did everything that Dad had taught him to do and he went to sit in the chair in front of the TV with a shotgun across his knees. He was determined to stay awake until Dad came back but his eyes grew heavier until they closed completely.

Dean didn't wake up until he heard a noise. Someone was in the room. His first thought was to get to Sammy. Grabbing the shotgun, he raced to the room. He found that Sammy was fast asleep and his arm was wrapped tight around Xander. There was the noise again and he turned to find some guy in the room. How he got in, Dean had no idea since he made sure that he had everything checked. He pointed the shotgun at the intruder only to have it yanked out of his hands.

Dean was scared but he knew he had to protect Sammy. He raced forward and tried to tackle the guy. He was shoved roughly and he hit a table. The back of his head smacked the edge and he was seeing stars and he felt blood run. He looked up to see the man advance towards him when suddenly he was yanked backwards and Dean saw him being held by a second person. He couldn't see who it was.

The stranger threw the guy aside and then stood with their back towards Dean. Dean took the opportunity to grab the shotgun and race to protect Sammy. He made it to the door when the guy got up and started fighting with the stranger. The stranger fought back and just as Dean brought up the shotgun, Dad burst through the door. The stranger had grabbed the guy and crashed out of the window. The noise woke up Sammy and Dean rushed towards his brother taking care to hide the shotgun. "You okay Sammy?"

"What was that Dean?" Sam sat up and rubbed his eyes ignoring their dad going about and checking the room.

"Just an accident. Everything is okay Sammy. See Xander kept you safe." Dean pointed at the battered dog. He failed to notice the look his father had on his face watching his sons and the glance he gave out the window.

The night had been a bust for John so he went back to check up on his sons. He knew something was wrong the minute he found the dead body inside the main office. He quickly raced towards the room and busted in. He barely got a glimpse of the two combatants. One grabbed the other, his witch, and crashed out of the window. He did a check of the room and went to see his sons.

He waited until Dean had settled Sam back into bed before he called Dean over. He asked Dean what happened. He listened and then told Dean to go to bed. He went outside to check before packing the car. They had to leave now to make sure the boys were safe. As he packed the car, he noticed that there was a small bag in the car. He picked it up and opened it. Inside was food for the road and some for later. John looked around for any trace. Out fell a scrap of paper. John read it and paused.

Mary had mentioned that their family was being watched over. John always thought that that she was referring to her belief that angels watched over them. Reading this note, John wondered if there really was someone out there. It occurred to him that this same person had been around to cure Dean and Sam. It explained quite a bit. John looked around. One day he would find this person and thank them for saving his sons.