Chapter Two: Familiar Territory

"All truths are easy to understand once they're discovered the point is to discover them."

Eleven Years Later (Outsider's Point of View)

After the loss of Mary, John went of the rails a bit. It was a collision course only softened (barely) by finding out the truth. It was a shock to his system to find out that not only did Mary's family hunt supernatural entities, but that the Campbell's were one of the biggest and well-known hunting families that existed.

Of course, that discovery was stretched over the next few years. After John, with the kids in tow left Kansas, for good they went to Manning, Colorado where John trained under the tutelage of Daniel Elkins. Elkins taught John everything he knew about hunting. Had told him how to keep his children safe and how to kill things. Unfortunately, none of those things were what killed his Mary, no on was really sure what that was. Daniel also gave John numerous contacts. There was Caleb, who had so many weapons that it was a little disconcerting. There was Bobby Singer, who was the source for demonology, seriously, the stuff in that guy's head was a little scary. Bobby, also hooked John up with Abram Jefferson.

Eventually the hunting network brought him to some very familiar names. Trixie and Tess. Although their surnames had changed, the family business hadn't. Trixie had welcomed John warmly, despite the fact that their last meeting was a full blown screaming match because neither John nor his children went to the funeral.

Trixie had shed the light on many weird things that Mary had easily covered up. The fact that the family had split after the mention of Poltergeist made so much more sense now that John knew it wasn't over a movie. Granted, the only reason why he believed such a thing was because she had the tendency to be a little hormonal when she was pregnant.

Meeting Ellen Harvelle had been the last nail in the his-wife-led-a-completely-different-life coffin. Ellen and John had met a few times before he and Mary were engaged. Hell, they had been to Ellen's wedding, and Ellen had been Mary's maid of honor. The fact that Mary had covered up something that had once been a huge part of her life was a little confusing. The fact that there was something so entrenched in Mary's life that he didn't know about hurt. On particular dark days when John drank a little more than he should he thought about their marriage. Would things be different if he had been a hunter from the get-go? It was that kind of pain that John kept from his children. Not that Dean, Sam, Aiden or Hailey would even know that Trixie and Tess were actually their blood relatives, their Aunts. Trixie, Tess, and Mary had a falling out before Dean was three years old. By the time Sammy came into the picture the sister's barely sent on another Merry Christmas cards.

As far as the Winchester children were concerned the only blood relatives they had were John's sister Hilary and her family. There was her first husband, Matt Murphy. Together they had a little girl two years younger than Dean, Charlotte. When Matt died in what Hilary had originally told John was a car accident she had raised Charlie on her own until she met Joe Garwin. Hilary and Joe eventually got married and had a son named Reid, who was Hailey's age.

As it turned out John was the last Winchester to be informed of the hunting world. His sister's first husband was a hunter; his brother Jim ran a parish in Blue Earth, Minnesota. But, Murphy brothers had been raised in the hunting lifestyle and Matt had introduced Hilary to it. When he died in hellspawn attack, Hilary had said it was a car accident. She still hunted making sure to protect her daughter anyway she could. When she had heard of witches in Ipswich, Massachusetts she investigated and fell in love with one, after discovering that they weren't the satanic kind.

Knowing now how much danger lurked in the shadows were enough to make him want to lock his children up, protect the little family he had left. Instead John trained them like Elkins had trained him. Sam and Dean were quick studies, despite having grown up in a vastly different environment. John's younger two were naturals, if only because they didn't remember any other way. It seemed that everyone around them knew Latin, or at least enough Latin to string together an exorcism rite. When they were old enough they did the amount of training their brothers did. Marksmanship, hand-to-hand, and cardio. Anything that could give them a little more advantage, level the playing field.

"Come on, Hailey!" John shouted. "Look sharp!"

The young girl glowered at her father as she ducked the right hook that was thrown at her head. The eleven year old ducked and countered, kicking her right leg out catching her aggressor in the stomach.

"Ow, Hay."

That aggressor was her fourteen-year-old brother, Aiden. At fourteen year old, Aiden had one hell of a growth spurt, now standing at five feet eleven inches. He was all long limbs and as a result of that he was clumsy, adjusting to his new height. At the moment though, Aiden was nearly folded in half, hands on his knees as he fought to get back the air his younger sister had knocked out.

"Okay, guys, let's call this a day," John sighed.

John fought back at tired smile as he looked at his four children. Dean was his oldest. He took after his father in a lot of ways, sharing the same built and height. Dean was now twenty-one years old, something he relished flaunting his idea because he was actually legally able to drink, fake ID or no fake. Dean had shortly cropped, slightly spiky dark blonde hair and sparkling emerald eyes. A trait all the Winchester men shared.

Dean was currently helping his younger brother Samuel up. Samuel, more aptly known as Sam accepted the hand, dusting off his pants and cracking his spine. Sam at the moment was the tallest of his siblings. At seventeen years old he was six feet two inches and counting. Passing by John and Dean, much to the latter's dismay. What irked the Winchester patriarch was the fact that Sam was insistent on keeping his hair long. The chocolate brown hair was past his ears and nearly brushing his shoulders in some spots.

Aiden, the youngest boy in the Winchester clan seemed to be modeling his caramel colored hair after Sam, with his own personal touches. Honestly, Aiden's hair was the most unruly. No matter what it couldn't be tamed. Aiden had straightened from his crouched position casting a glance at the youngest Winchester. It was part irritation, part pride.

"I taught you that move and you use it on me?" Aiden grumbled. "Really nice, Hay."

"I had to make sure it worked," Hailey smirked.

"Brat," Aiden smirked.

John felt something tug on his throat as he watched his baby girl smile. It was exact replica of the way his Mary smiled. His daughter was in every way exactly like her mother. Her long platinum blonde hair, porcelain white skin, and sapphire eyes were reminders of what John once had. God only knows what the Winchesters might've been if that demon hadn't paid them a visit. He might've lost the love of his life, but he still had his children. That was something he was thankful for each and every day.

"Hailey, you need to keep your blocks up when you're sparring," John scolded as his kids came closer. "Aiden, stop taking it easy on your sister, it won't help her in the long run."

"You kids getting hungry?" John asked as they all walked up the front steps of the large wooden cabin that served as the Winchester's primary base of operations.

The large log cabin had been in the Winchester family for decades. It was placed in the dead center of a few acres of land in the community Lakewood, New York. It was in the town of Freemont. The town had less than two thousand residents creating a community where people knew one another and it was not uncommon for people to keep to themselves. This was one of the only few places where the Winchester children were enrolled in school full time, allowing credits to transfer back and forth. That way they would at least graduate on time and have someone else keep track of them meeting all the requirements.

The Winchester family valued their privacy, which was why they chose this particular town because of how secluded it is. John knew that nearly ever person in this town, especially those controlling the schools and the records could be trusted. John might have to raise his children in an unconventional manner, but he was pretty sure that if he allowed his children not to get an education, Mary would kill strike him down.

The safe house looked like other houses in the neighborhood. It was spacious and comfortable. It was a five bedroom, three-bathroom house. It had a wrap-around porch and a pretty nice kitchen. The house was primarily wood on the outside with stones wrapping around the lower third of the building.

Unlike other houses in the area, the house as well as the rest of the land was protected in every way imaginable against the supernatural. Iron was buried all along the property in multiple places, forming rings, so that if one ring was broken there were others to act as back-ups. The house itself had Devil's traps on every wall, floor, and ceiling, hidden under carpet and paint. A Devil's trap was like a mousetrap for demons. There was also salt around every perimeter; Trapped under the carpet with an additional layer on top. Salt as well as iron (which was in every light fixture) acted as a spirit repellant. After what had happened in Lawrence, John didn't think any precaution was too great.

Something else that set the Winchester home apart from others was their basement. It had gym mats instead of any other type of flooring, so that they had a place to spar, when the other wasn't so great. It also had another small hidden room that was full of weapons. There was another stash of weapons in the attic. Both places for weapons weren't easily accessible for those who didn't know the password to the keypad that would open both hidden rooms.

While the house was as safe as it could possibly be, the Winchesters moved around a lot. There were cases all over the country and as such they'd go wherever they were needed. Hailey and Aiden were still a little young to be in the field, so they were typically let at the motel room that the family was occupying at the time or with family friends. Sam and Dean, Dean more often than not came with John on cases because in those situations you needed someone to watch your back. As his children grew older, the more they moved from state to state. In addition to their house in New York, they had safe houses scattered all over the country as well as friends and allies all over the country.

The only time the Winchesters stilled was for injuries or just to take a break. When you worked case after case, you ran the risk of over working yourself. There was also the risk of drawing the wrong kind of attention. The United States had hunters all over the place, which made it easy to pass cases along to other people. It was a network, a very well run network.

"I could eat," Dean shrugged.

"When can't you eat?" Sam scoffed.

"Some of us don't need to watch our girlish figures, Samantha," Dean teased, shutting the front door behind himself.

"Can we have pasta?" Aiden asked.

"Sure, junior," John grinned. "You all go clean up, I'll start dinner."

He would've been blind to miss the looks his kids exchanged before they bolted, scrambling up the stairs with Hailey in the lead. John didn't bother to scold them, allowing them to have their fun. He watched as his daughter ducked under her brother's longer limbs enabling her to get into the bathroom and shut the door.

"Every damn time," Aiden whined.

John laughed as he walked into the kitchen. It was true that Hailey more often than not got the first shower. The girl might've been the smallest, but she was the fastest, using her stature to her advantage. It was always a battle with his children about who got the hottest water. His boys would swear that Hailey was a shower hog, but truthfully, she took the fastest showers. It was Sam who liked taking twenty-minute showers.

An hour later everyone had washed up and were enjoying dinner. It was a very peaceful night. The food was good and the conversation was pleasant, albeit odd for most people. The Winchesters were exchanging stories and offering critiques for sparing and weapons training. The entire family had made the best they could out of a bad situation. They were a hell of a lot closer than most families were, but when trusting one another with one another's lives, that happened. Dean was explaining how best to subdue something regardless of height or weight to Hailey who for her part was listening attentively. Aiden was telling Sam and John about a new exorcism rite he found, and how it might be a lot easier to memorize. Aiden just wasn't sure whether or not the rite had been field-tested. But, if it was successful it might make exorcisms easier and faster.

Days like this were one of the reasons why John had kept this house. It was nice to spend some time as a family without stepping on each other's toes. In a motel room or the car, back when there was only one, room was tight and tempers were quick to flare. This house allowed them to stay and train together, while giving everyone some breathing room. The atmosphere stayed nice and upbeat throughout the rest of the night and into next morning. But, after nearly twenty-two years of parenting, John really should've known that the quiet wouldn't last forever.

When news of an incoming hunt broke over breakfast the next morning, three of his four children seemed excited. They had eaten quickly and had gone to pack up, doing exactly what he had ordered them to do. Sam, however, seemed content to ignore the order and glare at his father. John bit back a sigh as he rose to his feet taking a few steps away from the kitchen table.

"Did you not hear me, son?" John asked.

"No, I heard you," Sam growled.

Sam couldn't see his father close his eyes in irritation before they flew open. No matter how lenient or not lenient he was towards his children that tone, riddled with disrespect was one of the few things that got under his skin the fastest.

"Do not test me, Samuel," John Winchester warned.

The Winchester Patriarch was a former Marine corporal. He fought valiantly for his country, lost friend, brothers. Seen the horrors that mankind could and would inflict on one another. John Winchester had been trained by the very best, but there were some things that even the military couldn't prepare you for. Children. Or more specifically one child because it seemed that Sam loved going toe-to-toe with him on every single issue.

"Why can't we stay in one place for longer than a fucking month, Dad?" Sam snarled.

"Watch that mouth," John reprimanded, instantly.

Most of the time John didn't really care too much about foul language. As long as his children didn't use it in school or public, it didn't matter to him. But, lately Hailey had taken to cursing like a moth to a flame and John had no one but himself (and his boys) to blame. Hailey didn't care where they were, if she thought a situation warranted cursing, then she'd let fly. So, he was trying to set an example, even if it seemed too little, too late.

Sam's mouth clicked shut, glaring at his father furiously. He was far too angry to care that his father was seconds away from losing his temper. Something that most people did their very best to avoid. John could feel the pressure building right behind his eyes and knew somewhere that his own father must've been enjoying the show.

"You'll have some holy terrors of your own one day, Johnny boy," Aiden Winchester laughed. "Mark my words they'll make you look near Saintly."

John hadn't recalled exactly what his response to his father was, but it was probably something snarky. Karma was a bitch.

"Samuel, unless you want to ride to St. Louis on a sore behind you will get in that room and pack up," John ordered sharply.

Sam clenched his jaw gauging whether or not his father was bluffing before he turned on his heel and stomped out of the kitchen. Seconds later a door in the hallway slammed shut with enough force to shake the house to its foundations.

"Mary, that boy of ours has your temper and my stubbornness," John whispered looking up. "It's a miracle I haven't strangled 'im."

John took a moment to regroup and shrug off the fight. If Sam knew the truth maybe he wouldn't be so hard on his father. But, Sam thought that John wanted this for his children, or something. The truth was that John wanted nothing more than to settle down, pretend that evil didn't exist. But, it wasn't a luxury that the Winchester couldn't afford.

"Ow!" The outraged voice of his youngest yelped, piercing through his thoughts. "The fuck is your problem, Sammy?"

"Hailey Jade!" John reproached.

He fought back another sigh so far the banning of foul language had yet to deter the eleven year old. Screw the things that went bump in the night, his children were going to be the death of him.

"But, Dad," Hailey complained.

"Fucking tattletale," Sam grumbled, dropping one of his duffel bags near the front door.

"Sam!" John hissed. "Thin ice, buddy boy. Don't provoke your sister."

John ignored the indignant look that was shot his way at the reprimand as he walked into the hallway. He saw his youngest standing at the top of the stairs, a scowl marring her normally (deceptively) innocent features. She was already all packed up carrying her two duffel bags and a backpack for school.

When Hailey caught sight of her father, he face changed into what Aiden had nicknamed her angel routine. It worked on a lot of people but John had yet to be one of them.

"Hailey Jade, that's your last warning to clean up your language," John called up to her.

"Sorry, sir," Hailey sighed.

John offered his daughter a small smile before he walked back into the kitchen, making sure that everything was packed and ready to go. He had already packed the night before after being woken up by his cell phone. It turned out that a friend of his had found a hunt right in their backyard. He turned around when he heard the soft tread of footsteps as Hailey walked into the kitchen.

"Where'd Dean go?" Hailey asked.

"Sent him and Aiden out to get food," He explained.

A few minutes later the roar of the 1967 Chevy impala echoed down the private driveway. At one time the sleek black car had been John's but it had been given to Dean as present for him getting his GED. Now John drove a 1986 GMC Sierra Grande with a well-stocked weapon's compartment, more organized then the weapons trunk in the impala.

The front door swung open, revealing the last two members of the Winchester brood. Dean had been the one to open the door. He had a smile on his face, making his green eyes light up mischievously. His light brown hair was shorn short and his lean frame had become much more muscular from all the hunting and training he had been doing. Dean had taken it upon himself to help train Aiden and Hailey. He also spared with Sam, though that particular activity had been suspended since Sam had been craving a fight.

"Hey," Dean gasped. "Sorry about the wait. Burger King was really crowded."

"And the cashier was hot," Aiden snickered, moving past Dean. A smug grin on his face, at least until Dean had smacked him upside the head.

Aiden had taken the slap with good humor, turning to grin at Dean, who for his part laughed and rolled his eyes as he approached his father, holding out the food. On his way to John, Dean had ruffled Aiden's hair, causing the other to growl and fix it. Though, the Winchester Patriarch couldn't tell the difference.

"You get her number, son?" John rolled his eyes.

"No, sir," Dean said.

Dean barely had time to get into the living room before Sam whirled in grabbing his burger, scowling at every one. "Whoa, who pissed in your cheerios, Sammy?"

"It's Sam, Dean," Sam growled. "How many times do I have to tell you that?"

"As many times as you want to, Sammy," Dean laughed.

"Let's get moving," John ordered. Interrupting what would've turned into a fight.

For reasons unbeknownst to the rest of the family, Sam had started to hate the nickname he had been given since infancy. Most of the family tried their damndest to honor his sudden change of heart, but Dean made no such gesture because it didn't matter how old Sam got. He'd always be Sammy.

"We'll eat on the road," John said. "Hails!"

"Coming!"

Hailey slid into the room, grabbing one of the take-out bags, along with her duffel bags before moving into the cool New York evening. She threw her duffel bags into the truck of the impala before going into the backseat of the car.

"You kids be safe," John said. "Dean, we'll rendezvous in Binghamton?"

"Yes, sir," Dean replied.

Although, John never had the intention of leaving his children, he knew from experience that it was good to have a rendezvous point. He also knew that given Dean's penchant to speeding that there was a good chance that they'd lose one another. Then again Dean's speeding was slightly counteracted by his younger brothers and sister's need for rest stops.

"You all have everything you need?" John questioned. When they all nodded John continued, "I'll see you all in a few hours. Sam, I hope that your attitude has resolved itself by then. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir," Sam growled.

John shook his head at the boy's surly tone, but decided for the sake of timing to let it go. With one last warning look, he walked towards his own truck. By the time he got situated the impala had already driven by. It was only a few hours drive between here and Binghamton, which was hardly the worst drive either he or Dean had done. He hadn't told them what hunt it was because Jefferson himself wasn't even sure. He thought it could be a regular haunting or a poltergeist. Either way Jefferson was sure that he needed some extra hands, which was why they were going to him as fast as they could.

Author's Note: I just wanted to explain the previous chapter. Yes, the story was taken down once because I decided that because in this universe Dean was ten and Sam was six when Mary was killed, they would have more memories of her. So, I decided to describe a typical day, and how truly normal the day of Mary Winchester's death was. Dean and Sam's exposure to the normal world and then the complete 180 into the life of a hunter will be explored further.

Another thing is that Aiden and Hailey are named after John's parents both of whom are deceased through natural causes. If there are any questions please ask.

~Beccatdemon13