Disclaimer: The characters of "Supernatural" were created by Eric Kripke and are owned by the CW Network. No profit is being made.

Note to Readers: Thanks again to all reviews and PM's. They are appreciated. Also, thanks again to those readers that review but don't sign in, so I can't personally reply back to you. I'll try to post next weekend but I may be too buried. At any rate, I will post as quickly as possible. Happy Reading, I hope.

Our Solemn Hour

By Dawn Nyberg

Chapter 15: The Unsaid Things, Part 1

"… well there was a time when you let me know what's really going on below, but now you never show that to me do you … it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah." Lyrics excerpt ... version sung by Rufus Wainwright, Hallelujah

Bobby walked into the kitchen and found Sam reaching for a can in the pantry. "I can get that Sam, you're not supposed to be reaching and grabbing stuff."

"It's a can of soup Bobby, I think I'll live. It doesn't even hurt."

"Well, that's great to hear about the not hurting but let's shoot for no set backs, huh? Your brother would have my hide." Sam rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Here, give it … you hungry?"

"I can make my dinner Bobby."

"I know you can, but let me okay? How does soup and a famous Bobby Singer triple grilled cheese sound?" Sam did smile then; all dimples and Bobby felt a warm spot in his chest. Bobby looked in the freezer. "How about some frozen vegetable medley, too?"

"Bobby you don't have to put yourself out…"

"I'm not, well?"

"It all sounds good."

OOOOOOOOOOOO

Dean watched Ben run the field and when he countered a block and overtake from a boy on the opposite team as he feinted left and quickly changed course to the right kicking the ball and making a goal. Dena stood up and cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled something supportive and encouraging. He smiled when his voice obviously carried to the young boy on the field because Ben gave him a thumb up and smiled as he ran back into play. Dean sat back down and looked over at Lisa.

"You okay?" he asked.

"You leave tomorrow," she started. "I thought it wouldn't bother me, you know? It's just Ben's happy when you're here … he loves you Dean, we both do. Look, I know you have to go back to your brother, I do … I remember how long it took you to," she hesitated a moment, "to accept he was gone and now he's back and needs you … I get it, I do but part of me wants to be selfish and ask you to stay."

Dean reached over and covered her left hand with his, there may have been a bleacher full of parents and soccer fans but it all zeroed in to Lisa for that moment. "I know this isn't easy Lisa … I think about the two of you all the time but you're right about when I thought Sammy was gone forever, I was never okay with it, never. That's why the Impala spent time under a tarp in the garage and I bought that pick-up truck. The Impala has been the closest thing to a home that Sam and I had, that's why I drove it to Stull … but you and Ben gave me a new home and a family. But, Sammy needs me; we're a team Lisa I can't walk out on him when he needs me. Look, I pulled him back into hunting when he was in school and I can't leave him hanging not after everything he's done, after everything he gave up for so many people including me."

"I know …" she paused as the crowd around them cheered for another goal Ben's team, The Cicero Thunderbolts. Dean and Lisa both clapped and Dean pumped a fist in the air. "We can finish this conversation at the house tonight when we're alone." Ben and the team were going out for pizza.

"Yeah, okay, this isn't the place anyway," Dean agreed easily.

Dean looked at the clock and figured Ben would still be out with his teammates and coaches for another couple hours. Lisa handed Dean a beer and sat down next to him on the couch with her own brew. "Lisa," he started. "I want you to know that I've been happy here with you and Ben, I have. This is the first time in my life I ever knew normal or what Sammy calls the 'apple pie life'. I have no regrets," he paused. "Well, except for one, hurting the two of you. I never wanted that, it's the last thing I'd want to do."

"I know," she looked at him, her eyes were moist but no tears were falling. "You slept with a salt loaded shotgun under the bed for a year Dean, I get that you can get a hunter out of hunting but you can't get hunting out of the hunter."

"I never missed it," Dean was quick to assure. "I mean, sure sometimes I wondered if there was someone that I could have helped but I never regretted being here, retiring from hunting."

"Would you have come here to Cicero if it wasn't for what Sam made you promise?" Lisa looked at him earnestly and Dean knew that the truth was the only way to go.

"Honestly, probably not, I would have tried to get him back, save him. I might have left the game for a while but I'd be hunting."

"With a death wish," she replied bluntly and Dean acquiesced.

"Yeah, probably," he agreed honestly. "Look, I want you to keep me up on what's happening here and with Ben. He's got the whole stiff upper lip thing going on but he's got my numbers and address in Kansas. I know it's asking a lot Lisa but I can't just walk away and not look back, I can't."

"Ben loves you Dean and I won't keep him from contacting you if he wants but I have to think about my child's well-being and I can't have your work following you back to us."

"It wouldn't. I'd never put you and Ben in that danger."

"Not intentionally," she commented. "But, if I've learned anything from you about the things that go bump in the night is that they have a conscience and can be so subtle in their arrival that it could be too late before you know something is happening. I still think about the changelings and the fact I didn't know Ben wasn't Ben right away. Evil doesn't give you a head's up Dean."

Dean huffed out a small laugh, "You sure you haven't taken up hunting? You sound like you've been around the block a time or two."

"Knowing you taught me all of that Dean," Lisa answered. Dean felt a pang of guilt in being the one to pull the curtain back for Lisa and to take away the innocence of not knowing what was really out there in the dark. His train of thought reminded him briefly of Missouri Mosley and her words to him so long ago about how she enlightened their father to the truth, as well.

"I'm sorry, if I could have kept it from you I would have," he assured. "But, when Ben was taken I couldn't exactly keep from telling you."

"No, I know, I'm glad you did. I'm still thankful for you saving Ben's life."

"Don't thank me, I love the kid, I'd do whatever I had to in order to keep him safe."

"I know you would."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Bobby walked into the family room and sat down in a chair and looked at Sam, "Anything good on the tube tonight?"

"Just watching the news," Sam replied casually.

"So, Dean will be headed back tomorrow, huh?"

"Yeah."

"I can't quite decipher that tone kid … you happy or could you care less?"

"Bobby," Sam's jaw tightened slightly.

"Well?"

"I'm glad he's coming back, okay?"

"I hear a 'but' in there somewhere," Bobby poked and Sam sighed.

"It's just I wish he didn't have to give up his life ya know, not for me. I wanted him to have that life, be happy …"

"Sam your brother was just half a person after you went in that hole. He was broken and that promise you made him make did give him a life but it was always a pale substitute. Your brother might do a lot out of a sense of obligation but you need to know that he's coming back here because he wants to, because he needs to. Look, I ain't got no false notions in my head that it's gonna be easy for you two … you got your demons boy, I know you do, but you're working on it and Dean wants to help, let him and maybe you can help him with his … a little quid pro quo, maybe?"

Sam offered a soft smile as the older man's words sunk in and he looked Bobby in the eyes and nodded silently. Bobby smiled in return. "Now, get the damn news off, no more reality for today and let's watch some ESPN or somethin', you got cable. Sam laughed.

To Be Continued