Trust in The System
Orphan AU
Summary: Sometimes good happens for those that deserve it.

Authors Note: I don't know if I can't think this weekend of if I just don't have a drive for the prompts…Really I'm waiting for tomorrows…sigh. Sorry for the second short one hoping Tuesday will make up for it. Hope you enjoy the AU :D

"It's gonna be okay Sammy, I'll find work in the next town," Dean told his younger brother. The two of them had been on their own now for three weeks, their parents dying in a fire that took almost everyone in their town. All they had were the clothes on their backs and the few supplies that they had collected as they made their way across the open plains of the southern states.

"Is it going to be like the last town? I didn't like your job there Dean, we left because of it." Sam reminded him, like Dean needed the reminder. They both hadn't liked the last town which is why they were headed north this time when they left town, going further south wouldn't help at this point. They had to try something new and he figured a state up couldn't hurt.

Now, while Dean looked old enough to pass as a young teenager with his little brother for the afternoon he was actually only eleven. Which caused problems with a great number of things, he didn't really know how to drive and hitch hiking was an opinion with Sam, too many questions would be asked. It left them with the buses if they had money and walking, it sucked but it was what it was.

It was a few days of walking about pointless chatter as they made their way to the next town, it would be a life changing event for everyone involved. The two brothers were tired when they finally arrived in town and Dean found a shelter for the evening, a bar with a Bed and Breakfast in the back forty. Both of them asleep as soon as their heads touched the pillows, not even taking time to remove their shoes or clothes. It was late afternoon when they woke finally and made their way downstairs

"Good afternoon boys," came a friendly female voice and they both looked over to see an older woman with a few select grey hairs sticking out of the bun on the back of her head. "Hope the beds were decent, I would assume so since you slept in past check out."

"We are so sorry, I can pay for a second night." Dean stated in a rush and hushed when she waved him off just shrugging.

"You both were tired, I figured you could use the sleep, names Ellen, my rug-rats are kicking around somewhere. " The woman moved around the kitchen and helped direct the two slightly confused boys into their seats before motioning to the wide assortment of food. "Meal comes with the stay, this just happens to be more like brunch. I would suggest digging in, the others will be here shortly." Sam looked to Dean before grinning and lunging for some sausages and hash browns. Dean knew that was only the start, Sam would hit his growth spurt in a couple years; Dean remembered his own, he had almost eaten his parents out of house and home, but it paid off. Just sucked he couldn't use it for other reasons. Sighing he pulled some food onto his plate, the two boys settled in to eat as Ellen brought over coffee for Dean and milk for Sam.

They had started to eat, Dean adding some of the milk to his coffee finding it too bitter at this age to drink black but craving it all the same. The door slammed open and Ellen yelled at whoever it was when the room became almost crowded. A group of seven kids and teenagers claim their seats before noting the two new additions.

"Hello," a beaming redhead said to the left of Dean. "I'm Charlie," she offered her hand, which he took she looked about his age but he knew that wasn't accurate.

"Dean, and my brother Sam." He offered in way of introductions and this seemed to open the floor for everyone to speak up. Thankfully not all at once but Dean learnt that beside Charlie was Ash, than Jo, followed by Gabriel and Alfie and closer to Sam was Anna than Castiel. The food disappeared and Ellen appeared out of no where with replacements before disappearing again.

"So, what's your story?" the oldest of the group Gabriel or Gabe asked looking at Dean mostly, a lot of them were looking at Dean like they knew something and he should be worried that they knew. They were closer to his age they probably could read him better than the adults had always been able to, it was like playing a game with them, with his peers he just relaxed sometimes and it caused problems.

"Nothing interesting, parents let us taking a hiking trip, went on a detour." A lie that had been practiced with Sam so that he knew what to say and how to say it. It would work, it had convinced others before and it would convince this family now, it had to Dean had heard what happened to families that were put into the system. Split apart, Sam probably had a chance. He was cute, smart and people wanted to hug and pet him. It made Dean want to puke but he knew if it came to it it would be for the best. Dean knew he would just fade into the background and he was kinda okay with that.

"Dean?" he looked up from his plate and turned to the speaker. Blue eyes met his own and he blinked not expecting to see so much focus purely focused and dedicated to watching him.

"What?" he felt Sam kick him under the table and he looked at his brother and just shook his head.

"I asked if your parents would be worried about your detour." Silence for a moment and Sam is frozen in his seat, Dean knows it's something they practiced but when presented with such an honest person asking, well it was hard to lie to someone like that.

"No, I doubt they will worry about us," Dean offered with a shrug, "don't worry about it, Sammy and I got each other and that's enough for the moment. "

"So where are you headed?"

"Nowhere."

"Interesting place," Gabriel spoke again cutting Castiel off and Dean looked over to the other man, he was wondering just what they wanted to pull from him and why.

"It's decent," Dean found he couldn't help but add the snark back and Sam again kicked him under the table. "Stop it," Dean hissed this time at his brother and kicked him back. Grins lit up around the table at the clear sign of brother-ship.

"All of us but Jo had parents before living here with Ellen and Bobby." Alfie supplied, speaking up for the first time that evening and Dean paid attention to that comment. What did this woman collect children or something. He shifted slightly, moving closer to his brother and the others noticed, of course they did. They were probably-

"We aren't trained and she doesn't collect children." Castiel offered and Dean shivered turning his eyes to the blue eyed mind reader. "I also do no read minds, just bodies." There is another long silence before Dean snorts and shakes his head the tension dying down greatly and eating started up again.

It wasn't until much later that evening letting Sammy play with the others and also getting to do some socializing of his own they are headed back upstairs when Ellen asked Dean to stay behind for a moment. Dean pushes his brother up the stairs as Anna and Charlie take his hands and take him up to brush his teeth and rest his head.

"Dean, please have a seat. Would you like a drink?" she asked and Dean looked over at her and raised his eyebrow.

"Wat do ya have?" he asked testing what she was willing to give him, it would know where he stood with her and could judge her from there.

"Water, assorted juices, milk, and some soda. I know you are lying about your age." She stated after listing the drinks and coming out with it. Dean found that was more respectful than beating around the bush. Still it chilled him to the core and he wondered if he would have time to get Sam and his stuff and make a run for it.

"Please calm down, I am not going to do anything other than make you an offer." Dean didn't really relax but he did calm himself slightly to a standby state.

"What's the offer?" what was the harm in hearing an offer, it couldn't hurt anyone and then he could say no. Collect Sam and move on, it was simple and life would be hard but they would be together.

"You both join our little group for a while, get some money and relax get your strenght back and then decide what to do."

"What are the strings?"

"None."

"Promise."

"In writing if you need."

"A handshake will do," Dean stated offering his hand to her and that sealed the Winchester brothers fate for the rest of their lives and those of the family they joined.

END