A Hiccup in Time Ch. 11
Disclaimer. Still don't own them and still not making a profit from my stories.
Warning: Language as usual.
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As Sam worked on translating the Latin text, Bobby slipped off up the stairs to talk to John and Dean about the youngest Winchester's state of mind. He needed to make sure that John and Dean were aware of how the kid was feeling so that together, they could all work on improving Sam's state of mind. Knocking on the door before entering, he heard a gruff voice tell him to come on in. Pushing open the door, he saw John sitting on the edge of his bed putting on his boots while Dean still slept.
"He doing okay?" Bobby inquired as he nodded his head over towards Dean who was still looking somewhat pale.
"Yeah, he just had a rough night between the throwing up and diarrhea. There's no fever so he should be fine in a few hours. You know Dean, he won't let anything keep him down." John answered succinctly.
"S'good, glad to hear it. I just hope Sam will be fine too." Bobby said as he scrubbed a hand through his salt and pepper colored beard.
"What do you mean by that? What's wrong with Sam?" John asked worriedly as he quickly strapped on his knife sheath under his t-shirt wondering what had happened to his youngest.
"I think he's getting depressed John. The kid came down stairs earlier while I was making breakfast and I could tell something was bothering him. While we were talking, he told me that he feels useless and that he thinks we don't need him. He's scared John even though he doesn't want to admit it."
"Shit, I was afraid that would happen." John intoned worriedly. "I can't even begin to imagine how rough this has been on him. But you know what really scares me Bobby, the thought that Sam could have a vision when little Sammy is front and center. Sammy was innocent to the supernatural world up until he was eight years old. I hate to even think what a vision could do to him as a toddler."
"Holy Crap, I hadn't even thought about that" Bobby replied anxiously. "And there's no way we can protect him from that if it happens damn it."
"Protect him from what?" Dean asked through a yawn as he opened his eyes feeling much better to see worried expressions on the faces of his father and Bobby. "Is something wrong with Sam, uh, Sammy?"
"Well, yes and no" John replied as he walked over to sit on the edge of Dean's bed and placed a palm on his forehead to check for fever. "Bobby just informed me that Sam's feeling a little down in the dumps. He's worried that we don't need him anymore and that he's useless to us now." John answered.
"Well hell, I'll have to go knock some sense into that head of his and let him know just how wrong he is." Dean replied as he pushed himself to a sitting up position. "That little twerp should no better than that, but that still doesn't explain why you're worried about protecting him."
"It's complicated son. I was just talking to Bobby about what could happen if Sam has a vision while he's age regressed." John stated knowing how much it would worry Dean.
"Son of a bitch dad, I hadn't even thought about that. You do realize that Sammy had no knowledge of the supernatural world when he was three. If he has one of those damned visions as a toddler, the kid is bound to freak." Dean said apprehensively. "We better make sure from now on that somebody is with the kid at all times, speaking of which…"
"Yeah, I'm headed down there now" John answered since he was thinking along the same line as Dean. "I need to talk with him anyway."
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John walked into Bobby's study to find Sam intently working on deciphering one of Bobby's books. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of the his son looking like the world's smallest geek as he had his tongue stuck out his mouth in concentration as he wrote down the words on paper. "Hey tiger, I think it's time for you to take a break before you give yourself a headache" John said to his youngest as he walked over to the desk and stood beside him.
""I'm fine dad, you don't have to worry about me." Sam replied without looking up.
"But I do worry kiddo." John retorted as he reached down to pick Sam up in his arms. "Whether you realize it or not, you're the most important thing in both mine and Dean's lives so don't ever forget that. I don't know what we would do without you son."
"CHRISTO" Sam stated rather vehemently. There was no way this man could be his dad. John Winchester was definitely not the sharing and caring kind of man. He was a tough as nails ex-Marine who wouldn't even think about discussing his feelings.
"I'm not possessed Sam" John replied laughing as he sat Sam down on the desk in front of him. "I know I wasn't the best of father to you when you were younger kiddo and that it was Dean who basically raised you, but I'm trying to do better this time around. I feel like I've been given a second chance and I just hope you'll let me."
"Oooookaaay" Sam replied unsure of what to say since he was used to his dad being more of a drill sergeant. He wondered just how long this new attitude of his dad's would last.
"I know things are weird for you right now Sammy, but I promise you we will figure this out and we will have you back to the man you used to be. It's just going to take some time, but until then, maybe you can put that geek brain of yours to work researching Bobby's tomes later tonight and help us find out just what the hell will stop this thing once we find it."
"You mean you really need my help on this one dad, you're not just trying to placate me or something?" Sam asked needing to know the answer.
"Just when the hell have I ever tried to placate you kiddo? Haven't I always made you do things even if you pitched your little temper tantrums and fought me along the way?" John said questioningly.
"Yeah you did, and you could be a total asshole about it at times." Sam answered with a smirk.
"Hey now, watch your mouth kiddo. You definitely ain't to big now to take over my knee once again you know." John stated with a smirk of his own.
"Yes Sir" Sam stated with a salute not wanting to feel his father's hand placed against his backside again. "Whatever you say sir."
"Smartass" John replied as he lifted Sam down from the desk. "After lunch, how about you come outside and help with that "66 Chevy Nova your brother and I have been working on?"
"Now I know you're possessed dad. You know that I ain't worth a damn when it comes to fixing cars. It's something I've never learned to do." Sam replied knowing he wouldn't be of any help.
"Yeah and I'm sorry about that kiddo. I should have taught you the ins and outs of working on a car engine just like I taught your brother. I failed you in that regard." John said solemnly knowing just how much time he had lost with his youngest. "But at least you could hand us the tools while we're too busy to reach for them ourselves."
"Okay, guess I could do that." Sam said just happy to know that they would be spending some time together as a family.
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A few hours later as the Winchesters worked on the Turbo-Fire 327-cubic-inch V-8 delivering 350 horsepower engine, John couldn't help but admire the beauty of the car. The humped fenders and bold grille brought back memories of him taking out Mary in his old man's car before they had gotten married. He remembered trying to impress her with the chrome strut mount, alternator and other chrome pieces on the engine. Mary had just giggled and said the engine sure did look pretty.
They had been working on the car for about an hour when he asked Sam to hand him an old fashioned crescent wrench because he just couldn't stand to use the new fangled type on a classic car. When Sam didn't hand him the required tool within a few seconds, John lifted his head from under the hood to see his youngest sitting in the middle of Bobby's tools strung out all over the ground. "Sam, what the hell are you doing?" John inquired with exasperation since Sam was supposed to be helping.
"Aw, daddy, you said da bad word" Sammy giggled as he covered his little mouth and giggled. "You's not supposed to talk wike dat daddy, Pastor Jim says so."
"Oops, daddy forgot tiger," John replied knowing Sammy had age regressed once again.
"Dat's okay daddy, I not tell on you." Sammy replied as he stood up and toddled over towards Dean who was working on something underneath the car. "What's you doing Deanie?"
"I'm trying to work on the exhaust manifold short stuff Dean replied as he pushed himself out from under the car and wiped his face with his sleeve.
"Eww, Deanie, you's dirty" Sammy informed his big brother as he scrunched up his nose at the way his brother looked covered in grease and dirt.
"Oh I am huh, well let's just see what I can do about that." Dean said as he picked his baby brother up and lay him gently down on the ground and began to tickle him unmercifully.
"No, 'top, you's getting me dirty too." Sammy giggled as he tried to bat Deans hands away from his unprotected stomach.
"You mean right here?" Dean questioned as he wriggled his greasy fingers and poked Sammy in the navel.
"Daddy help" Sammy yelled through immense giggles. "Deanie's getting my belwy button"
"Now Dean, you know you shouldn't be tickiling your brother there when it is so much easier to get him here." John said as he himself joined into the tickle war by tickling Sammy underneath the arms.
"No daddy no," Sammy giggled as he tried to roll away from tickling hands. "You's supposed to help me not Deanie."
"Oh, I forgot Sammy, John said as he tackled Dean to the ground and held him down so Sammy could launch a tickle attack of his own. Dean giggled uproariously, if a little put on, to the immense pleasure of his baby brother who now thought he had the upper hand with tickling.
"I gots you now Deanie" Sammy laughed as he tried his best to pull Dean's boots off. "I's gonna tickle your feet."
"Don't you dare" Dean heaved through panting breaths as he allowed himself to be held down. He couldn't remember having this much fun in a long time. He helped to push his own boot off as Sammy pulled on it and then felt tiny hands removing his sock.
"Ew Deanie, you gots stinky feet, I not tickling them" Sammy said as he wrinkled his nose once again and plopped his little behind on the ground and plumped his thumb in his mouth.
"You getting tired munchkin?" Dean asked as he saw Sammy's eyes beginning to droop.
"Uh huh" Sammy replied as he reached his arms out to Dean to be picked up. Once he was hoisted into his brother's arms, Sammy placed his head down on Dean's shoulder and closed his eyes.
"I'm going to take him inside for a nap." Dean told his father as he headed towards the house. "I'll be back out to help once he wakes up."
TBC