"Son of a bitch!" Dean exclaimed, as he and his wife got out of the Impala. Dean walked down the driveway to the man standing on the edge of the driveway of the house right next to their house. "Bryan Gallagher, what the hell are you doing here?" Meredith turned her head and smiled as soon as she saw Bryan. She walked up the driveway, going over to see Dean and Bryan already engaged in a conversation.

"Dean Winchester?" Bryan asked back.

"Yeah. Good to see you, man," Dean replied.

"Yeah, you too. We just moved here from Los Angeles," Bryan said, a surprise look accompanied with a smile on his face.

"You just moved in right next to us Winchesters?" Dean asked.

"Guess so. Funny coincidence, huh?" Bryan answered.

"Bryan!" Meredith smiled, giving Bryan a hug.

"Hey, you," Bryan smiled back.

"Mer, Bryan just moved here. Hey, where's that lovely wife of yours?" Dean asked.

"Right here. Dean, Meredith, it's so good to see you guys again. Looks like we're not the only ones that gave up the life for something more… suburban, huh?" Kitty, Bryan's wife asked back. She had shoulder length, straight blonde hair while Bryan had dark, shorter hair.

"Yeah. So when's the last time you two went hunting? We haven't heard from you guys in forever?" Dean asked.

"Uh… several years ago. We quit after Kitty got pregnant with our first child. He's actually a sophomore at the high school, our daughter is a freshmen," Kitty replied.

"Oh, Dean and I are teachers there and our kids go to school there as well. I wonder if they've run into each other yet," Meredith said.

"You're teaching?" Bryan asked Dean, raising an eyebrow.

"Ah shut up! Yeah, I'm teaching auto shop," Dean answered.

"Ohh okay," Kitty said.

"Babe, I've got to bring in the groceries so I should go before everything melts," Meredith said to Dean.

"Oh, I'll come help. It was good seeing you guys though and uh, now that we're neighbors, looks like we'll be seeing a lot more of each other. What do you say the family comes over some time? We can have some beer, our kids can meet or something… you know, the whole apple pie, hunting-free kind of thing," Dean proposed.

"Sure. We'll let you know," Bryan replied.

"By the way, our kids don't really know anything… you know, about hunting. They don't even know what it is, that we even did it, so if you don't mind not mentioning anything about hunting to them… I know we're supposed to a hunting family and everything but we just couldn't do it to them," Kitty started.

"Yeah, we won't mention it," Meredith replied, before she and Dean parted from the Gallaghers.

Dean, Sam, and Meredith had gone on a hunt with the Gallaghers before. The Winchesters met them at the roadhouse when Dean and Meredith had just gotten back together, but had called them up for a couple of hunts. The Gallaghers called up the Winchesters whenever they were in town, but sooner or later, Meredith and Dean, settled down and apparently so did the Gallaghers. They just lost touch.

Dean and Meredith began to unpack and put away groceries as we got to the kitchen. Meredith was quiet and kept thinking about what the Gallaghers had said.

"Babe, do you think it's weird that the Gallaghers never told their children about hunting?" Meredith asked.

"I don't know, do you?" Dean asked back.

"Yeah. Is that so wrong? I mean, I feel like I should be fine with it. That's originally what we wanted to do with our kids… what does it feel so strange to me?" Meredith asked back.

Dean shrugged, "Because it feels like we'd be keeping them in the dark. At least that's what I think. I think we'd regret not telling our kids but just because the Gallaghers didn't, doesn't meant that it's weird."

Meredith sighed, "You're right. Come help me with this."

"Why are you so short?" Dean teased.

"Shut up," Meredith replied, nudging her husband playfully.

"You dropped something," Cole said, picking up the text book that had fallen as the girl walked by. She had several books in her arms and the top one managed to escape. Cole had just gotten out of football practice and he was on his way to his car.

"Thanks," the girl said, turning around and shooting Cole a cool smile.

"I haven't seen you around here," Cole said. The girl had wavy, redish blonde hair and was definitely hot. He hadn't seen her around before. He checked her out in her denim mini skirt, converse, white tank top and black leather jacket. She had the whole bad ass thing going on. She leaned up against her red 1969 Riviera Buick, holding her books to her chest.

"I'm not around much," the girl shrugged, a sly smirk on her face.

"I'm Cole. Cole Winchester," Cole said, introducing himself.

The girl smirked, "Don't worry, I know who you are Cole Winchester. You're the son with the daddy who used to drink demon blood. He and your uncle unlocked the gates of hell and uh, well, frankly were the ones responsible for letting Lucifer out."

"Excuse me?" Cole asked, not knowing what the hell this hot, mysterious girl was talking about.

"Ask your dad," she replied before walking to the door of her car, opening it, and then getting in. Cole stood back as she pulled out of her parking space, shooting a wink at him, before driving off.

"Hey, dude, who was that? She's hot," John asked, coming up behind his cousin and smacking his shoulder once.

"I have no idea," Cole replied, perplexed.

He didn't know whether to even be interested or to be angry as hell. What was this girl talking about and who did she think she was, telling him things like that about his father and his uncle? They were his family. Cole got defensive when it came to his family but at the same time, part of him wondered whether there was any truth to what she had just said.

"Whatever, man. I'll see you later," John said, leaving his cousin. John got into his mom's old car, before speeding off towards Jamie Callahan's house. While his brother was home, Jude was using the Camaro that Jude and their father had fixed up when Jude was in high school. It was Jude's car but John always used it when John was away at school or in Peru, or whatever the hell his brother did with his life.

John drove off towards Jamie Callahan's house. He was just looking forward to blowing off some steam with her. She was fun… He pulled up at her house to see that there was only one car in the driveway. He parked a couple of houses down, on the side of the road just to be safe, and then jogged over to her house. He knocked on the door, only for her to answer, almost immediately.

"Took you long enough," she smiled, pulling him in by his shirt and shutting the door quickly after. John groaned in response.

John and Jamie wasted no time. Jamie rushed John upstairs and the minute they got into her bedroom, clothes were flying everywhere. John knew they didn't have much time and that Jamie's parents would be home soon, but that made it more fun. This girl was fun… that's all he needed, right?

Cole got up from the kitchen table, closing his math text book and going towards his room. Dinner tonight had been awkward. He couldn't get the girl he had met in the parking lot today out of his head – and not in a good way. It was bothering him so much! What had she meant by all of that? His dad was pretty secretive about the life that they had lived before. He and his siblings had been trained basic hunting skills, but they weren't really allowed to do it to the extent that his cousins were. His dad hated the idea of them hunting and since it was a necessity for them, his dad tried to keep them away from it as much as possible.

Cole could remember that very day that he talked to his dad about it. He was seven and John was eight. John had told Cole about shooting a gun for the first time…

~Flashback~

"Dad, why does John get to learn to shoot a gun?" Cole asked, curiously.

His father thought it over, choosing his words carefully before saying, "Well, he's a year older than you, Cole."

"But, but dad you said that there were bad things out there. Shouldn't we learn how to protect ourselves like John and Jude do?" Cole asked back.

"Yes," Sam nodded slowly. "Cole, you'll understand when you're older, but your cousins are… they need to learn how to protect themselves for a couple of reasons, but our family, we don't have to deal with all of that. I do think it's important for you to learn how to protect yourself, but when it's not necessary, kiddo, I don't know how I feel about that."

"Well, what if I just learned the basics?" Cole asked, a look of hope in his eyes.

Sam thought it over, "Alright, sure, but just the basics. I guess… you can go over to the center when your cousins go next. Look, I'm sorry that it seems like I'm sheltering you and that your cousins have a little more freedom with all of this stuff, but they have some stuff to deal with that you don't have to."

"Like what kind of stuff?" Cole asked, curiously.

"I-," Sam started.

"Hey, dinner's ready, you two," Sawyer said, coming into the living room.

"We'll be a right there," Sam said, smiling softly at his wife.

He felt so helpless in this situation. He didn't want to put his family through what his dad had put him and Dean through, but it was almost as if Cole wanted to hunt. It didn't help that Meredith and Dean almost made it look like fun and games. But it wasn't fun and games and the three of them knew that. Sam felt so torn. What if he let Cole learn the basics but Cole wanted to keep training? What if Cole wanted to hunt? It wasn't just that he didn't want to do what John did them, but he also didn't want his kids hunting. It was a terrible and he wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Besides, it's not like his kids would have to worry about it like Dean and Meredith's kids did. There was no prophecy and the house that they lived in had never been attacked by demons. Sam just wasn't quite sure how to explain that to his son yet…

~End Flashback~

"Dad?" Cole asked, peeking into his dad's study.

"Yeah?" Sam asked back, looking up from his papers. Sam had been working on another case down at the social work agency and figured that he'd have to drive out about an hour away tomorrow.

"Can I talk to you about something?" Cole asked.

"Sure, what is it?" Sam replied.

"Before I tell you, I'm just going to say that it was really weird. I mean, really weird and I just, I wanted to talk to you about it first before I jumped to any conclusions. There was this girl today-," Cole started.

"Girl problems? Son, that's not weird. I'm uh, honored that you're coming to your old man for girl advice though," Sam chuckled.

"No, it's not that, Dad," Cole sighed. "Look, I met this girl today and she started talking about you, like she knew who you were from your hunting days. She kept saying stuff about your hunting days and… I mean, I thought she was crazy! She was saying something about you and demon blood and you and Uncle Dean opening the gates to hell and something about Lucifer? I mean, she's crazy, right, Dad?"

Sam shifted uncomfortably, "Who was this girl?"

"I-, I don't know. I didn't even get her name," Cole replied.

"Well, she's not entirely wrong. What worries me is how she knows all about this," Sam said, almost to himself.

"Wait, Dad… what're you-," Cole started, searching for answers.

"Look, when we were younger, things were pretty rough. Your Uncle and I were always on the road and a lot happened. That's why I don't want you to get involved, Cole. The hunting… it's dark stuff," Sam said.

"But demon blood, Dad? And hell and-," Cole began again.

"Your uncle was dead and it seemed like the only way. I-, do you want me to be honest?" Sam asked.

"Please," Cole replied, flatly.

"I did a lot of stupid things when I was younger; made a lot of mistakes. If I could take it back, I would because the stuff I did, it wasn't going to help get your uncle back. I was angry and hurt and… I was desperate to get Dean back. The demon blood made me stronger and I could exorcise demons… with my mind. I know, it sounds crazy. As for hell and Lucifer, well, let's just say never trust a demon," Sam explained to his son, scared that his son would react badly.

"Why did you keep this from us?" Cole asked.

"Well, it's not exactly a story you tell your kids before they go to bed," Sam replied. "Do you have any questions? I know what I told you sounds really strange and… you probably think your dad's a freak now."

Cole chuckled a little, "I don't think you're a freak, Dad. It's just… I don't know. I feel like there's so much that I don't know about you."

"I know, but I want to protect you from all of that," Sam stated firmly.

"Did you ever think that I didn't need protecting, Dad?" Cole asked back. Sam sighed. "Sorry. It's just, this girl today, she really threw me off. She made it sound like you were… I don't know, one of those things that's out there."

"It's alright… and you said you didn't know who she was?" Sam asked, curiously.

"Yeah," Cole replied.

"Huh," Sam sounded.

"Look, I've uh, I've gotta go finish some stuff up for school tomorrow. Later, Dad. And uh… thanks, for being honest with me. I know you hate talking about that stuff…" Cole started.

"It's alright," Sam said back.

Cole nodded, before leaving the study. He had some reassurance from his dad, but that girl was still getting under his skin.

John ran his fingers through his hair, careful enough to make it look like he didn't have sex hair. He knew his parents could spot it a mile away. John got out of his car and then hurried inside, the smell of something cooking hitting him right away.

John walked into the kitchen and dropped his stuff on the ground right next to him. He sat at the island counter in the middle of the kitchen.

"Hey, Mom," he greeted, chipper.

"Hey, you're home. I was beginning to wonder where you went after practice," Meredith replied.

John shrugged, "No where really. I was just hanging out with Cole."

"That's good. So do you have any plans for this weekend?" Meredith asked, casually, as she continued to make dinner.

"Not really. I'll probably go out on Saturday with the guys. Get some extra practice in. We've got our big game next Friday," John replied.

"Yeah. You're dad is all excited about that too," Meredith chuckled. John sat there as his mom continued to cook. There was a bit of a silence before he mentioned the next thing.

"And uh… I'm probably going to grab a burger with Renee on Friday," John said.

Meredith stopped what she was doing and turned around, "Come again?"

John shrugged, "What, Mom? We're friends."

"You two haven't talked since maybe the beginning of middle school. Not that I'm complaining. You two were really great friends! You just caught me off guard there," Meredith replied.

"Well, I'm trying to get her tutor me in math and so I told her that we should catch up first. You know, just because we haven't talked in so long," John said. It was almost like he was testing his mom. He wanted to see what she said about the idea of him going out with Renee. Wait, what the hell was he doing? He had a girl. But he couldn't stop thinking about Renee either.

"Oh yeah?" Meredith.

"Yeah, I was thinking about that place we always go to as a family. You know, the old one with the jukebox," John said.

"Huh," Meredith sounded. Meredith could already tell that this was a more than friends thing, at least on John's part. John had gone out with many girls, but he never took them to that place. That was a place they always went with the family and had made so many memories there. John never would take a girl there, even if they were just friends, if she didn't mean anything to him. Meredith only worried a little bit because she knew that John was following in Dean's footsteps of being a serial dater. "Well, I hope you two have a lovely time."

"Thanks… uh… need any help?" John asked.

"Sure," Meredith smiled.

"Okay," John said, getting up out of his seat.

Meredith and John worked on dinner and when it was about ready, the peace and quiet was disturbed. Victoria and Flynn came into kitchen, reciting vocabulary words for their Spanish quiz while Jude came in to help set the table.

"It smells great in here," Dean said, coming into the room.

"Hi, you," Meredith smiled. "Did you actually end up taking a nap?"

"Yeah, slept for like an hour," Dean replied.

Meredith chuckled, "Alright. Well, dinner's ready."

"Hey, has anyone gotten the mail yet?" Flynn asked.

"Uh, no. Do you mind getting it?" Meredith asked her son.

"Yeah, I got it," Flynn said, going outside to the mailbox. He smiled as soon as he saw Paige Gallagher, sitting outside on the tree swing that dangled from the tree at the house next door. She was just sitting and listening to the sounds of the early evening.

"Hey."

"Hi," Paige smiled, looking up and over at Flynn.

"Funny seeing you here again," Flynn said.

"Well, we are neighbors," Paige pointed out.

Flynn chuckled, "You're right."

"So what're you doing out here?" Paige asked.

"Mail," Flynn replied, holding up the stack of mail in his hand.

"Right," Paige laughed, blushing.

"I also like the quiet. My family… well there's always something going on with them," Flynn said.

"Your family is really nice… you guys just kind of took me and my brother under your… many, many wings. It's not so easy being the new kid," Paige started.

"Oh, it's no problem. Why is it you moved here again?" Flynn asked, curiously.

"Dad got a good job," Paige replied.

"Where'd you live before? Sorry. Too many questions?" Flynn asked, a small laugh following.

"No, you're fine! Uh… we lived in LA," Paige replied.

"Huh. Well, it's nice here. Kinda sleep, especially compared to LA, but it's nice. My aunt actually used to live in LA. I'm not quite sure why she chose to come back here," Flynn said.

"I like it so far," Paige said back.

"Oh, well, I should probably get back inside. We're about to start dinner," Flynn started.

"Oh, okay. Well, I guess I'll see you around then," Paige smiled.

"You too," Flynn replied.

Author's Note: Wow. First update since ending "Over the Hills and Far Away". I'm already really loving this story and I hope that you guys are too. I have big plans for this story and am so excited to write it!