June 1, 2002

Sam and Jess boarded a plane. Jess ignored calls from her parents. She had nothing to say to them after being slapped. She needed time away from the constant pettiness and bickering.

Sam had never been on a plane so he was fascinated with the process. He watched the wings adjust as they took off and made mental notes about wind speed and the mechanics that go into making the airplane fly.

Jess tilted her head to the side so she could rest it on Sam's arm. "You look like a little kid."

Sam grinned. This is my first time flying."

Sam and Jess came from very different backgrounds. Jess was wealthy and "spoiled". Sam was poor and was forced to grow up in a hurry. Jess spent summers in other countries and Sam spent summers in a motel room with a broken air conditioner.

Sam felt a little embarrassed but Jess loved learning things from his point of view. She was sheltered and the grittiness of Sam's family intrigued her. "Can we please get matching tattoos?"

Sam sighed. "Okay, a tattoo isn't a bad idea but an anti possession tattoo would stand out. If you go to the doctor, how are you going to explain a flaming pentagram?"

Jess smiled. "I'd tell them to mind their business."

Sam gave her a small smile. Jess had confidence that Sam didn't have. He spent his childhood covering up those kinds of things. He didn't want to stand out and be labeled a freak. Jess didn't care. He admired that. "Since the kids are on house arrest, we could go with Dean and hang out."

Jess grinned. "Sounds great."

Sam rolled his eyes. "On second thought, you and Dean need to stay away from each other."

Jess reached over and squished Sam's cheeks. "You are adorable when you are flustered."

Kate was excited for Sam and Jess to visit. "I could go with you to the airport though. The impala is an extension of the house. If I stayed in the car, that wouldn't be breaking my grounding."

Dean snorted. "No. You are staying here to help Karen with chores."

Kate sighed. "Lame."

Taylor opened the front door. He had sawdust all over him. They were still trying to add onto the house and he had been given the task of cutting and sanding boards. "Can I have a drink?" He saw Dean's sarcastic face and scoffed. "Of water, not alcohol."

Dean nodded. "Just making sure."

"I don't think I'm ever going to touch that stuff again. I'll be in my 30s and still won't touch it." Taylor said.

"Yeah, yeah. As long as it isn't any time soon." Dean said as he handed Taylor a cup of water. He felt his phone vibrate and answered it. "Hey, Sammy."

Kate tiptoed to try to hear what Sam was saying.

Dean looked at his watch. "Well, I know of a reputable place. I don't think they'd ask questions if the tip is big enough. Yep, I'll leave now."

Kate frowned. "What was that about?"

Dean flicked her ear. "The adults are getting tattoos."

"What kind?" Kate asked.

"Anti possession sigils." Dean said.

Kate whined. "I offered to give you one at least a dozen times."

"You would get too much enjoyment out of stabbing me with a needle and right now, you aren't allowed to have enjoyment," Dean said with a smirk.

Kate looked at Taylor. "Do you want a tattoo?"

"This isn't prison," Dean said. "You can't be handing out prison-style tattoos."

Kate scrunched her nose. "Are you sure? No enjoyment, having to stay in one confined area, extra chores, all of that sounds like prison."

Dean grabbed a few slices of deer jerky. "The food is better here."

Kate tried to grab one of the pieces but he held his hand above his head. "Fine. Pay for your silly tattoos. Just know you could have gotten them for free."

Dean ruffled her hair. "Both of you be good."

Taylor gave him a thumbs up. "Don't have to tell me twice."

Kate waved at Dean as he left. Being able to bicker with him felt good. That meant things were back to normal. She asked Karen if she needed anything and was grateful that Karen said not for a little while. She suddenly got a wild idea and sprinted up the stairs to her room. She looked through her art supplies and found a type of paper that would work. She carried her supplies back to the kitchen and laid them out across the table.

Karen looked at the spread. "What are you doing?"

Kate doodled on a piece of paper. "I have an idea." She drew a simple flower and cut out a square around the doodle. She used rubbing alcohol on her arm and put the paper on top of the wet spot. A short while later she peeled off the paper. She held up her arm and showed Karen a copy of the flower. "I don't know if they were big last time you were on earth but temporary tattoos are everywhere now. You can get cartoon characters or just about anything." She got up to run water over her arm and gently rubbed the ink. "This is the first draft but you have to try to get the ink off."

Karen got a better look at Kate's arm. "Well, that is neat."

"Dean, Sam, and Jess are getting anti possession tattoos. Most of us have some type of charm on us. So, our little circle is safe from being possessed. If I made some of these, it would be quicker than drawing one on somebody. These could be portable and more readily available than bracelets and necklaces."

Karen was impressed. "When did you come up with this idea?"

"Just now," Kate said as she worked on a symbol. "A real tattoo is the best option since jewelry can break. If dad is on a hunt with someone and there is a high risk of possession, he could use one on them." She stopped drawing and made a list of things that she needed to try. "I think actual temporary tattoo paper would work better. There are different types of ink. This worked right after I drew it. However, I don't know how it would react after sitting in a box for a few months."

"I'm sure that is something that Bobby would let you use the computer for. To research." Karen said.

Kate fanned the paper that the symbol was on. "Do you mind if I leave my stuff here? I'll be right back."

Karen smiled. "Go ahead."

Kate ran outside. She skipped over to Taylor and Bobby. "Taylor, take off your shirt."

Taylor eyed her. "Why?"

Kate held up the paper. "I want to try something."

Taylor put his hammer down and took off his shirt.

Kate wiped his shoulder blade and went through the steps that she had in the kitchen.

Bobby watched her with interest.

Kate peeled the paper off and stepped back.

Bobby got closer. "Huh. Is that marker?"

"Kind of." Kate said. She fanned Taylor's skin and ran her hand over it. "It doesn't smear." She repeated what she told Karen.

Taylor tried to look at his back but his neck didn't turn that far.

"I have to iron out the best way to make them but would that be useful?"

Bobby rubbed his jaw. "I'd say so. Two things to think about are, if the person is in a fight, would that rub off, and what happens if it doesn't transfer that nicely."

Kate nodded. "Already wrote those down. If I can perfect the process, I could make them small enough to fit in an Altoid's box or bigger. Even a pencil box would work so they didn't get bent. All the supplies could go in there too and an appropriate marker to touch up spots if it didn't transfer."

"Well kid, that is quite the idea. You two come up with the wildest things."

"Can I use the computer to look up ink and stuff?" Kate asked with a pleading look in her eyes.

"Yes, you can. If John or Dean fusses at ya' I'll tell them to can it." Bobby said.

Taylor walked over to a car and looked at his reflection in the window. "That is cool."

Bobby looked at the symbol. It had some room for improvements but he was also impressed. "Do you have any ideas floating around in your head?"

Taylor put his shirt back on. "I do."

"Well, let's hear them," Bobby said.

"While I was looking into the dangers of drugs, I read about the stuff that neutralizes the drugs. Activated charcoal is something you can drink and it helps with drugs you have swallowed. Narcan is for the harder stuff, I guess. My idea isn't as thought out as Kate's. Certain creatures have a toxin, like a djinn or the freaks. Witches use hex bags or poison. Vampires and werewolves bite you and you turn. So what if hunters had a pill to keep on them. They could use it like a cyanide pill but hopefully with the opposite effect. It could soak up what is in their system before it spreads. I know it sounds dumb."

Bobby blinked. "That isn't dumb. That would save a lot of lives."

Taylor smiled. "I mean, it could be several pills and shots. Most hunters have first aid kits but not cures for those things. If the cure exists, it would make sense to carry it around."

"You two 'ought to be grounded more often. It gives you time to think of stuff like this." Bobby said.

Taylor groaned. "I can think while also doing other things."

Bobby clapped him on the back. "I'd like to see the state of that 'tattoo' after a few hours of hard work."

Taylor grabbed his hammer from the ground. "I guess we will find out."

Dean picked Sam and Jess up. "Do you have enough luggage, Jess?"

Jess shoved his shoulder. "It isn't that much."

Dean dramatically lifted her suitcase as if it weighed a ton. "Did you pack your whole room?"

Sam waited for Dean to put the suitcase in the trunk and stand up. He playfully punched him in the stomach and pulled him into a hug. "I told you that was the first thing I was going to do."

Dean clapped him on the back and returned the one-armed hug. "Good thing you hit like a girl."

Jess slid into the backseat. "Where will your tattoo be?"

Dean shrugged. "Chest probably."

"I think I'll get mine on the side of my ribs where only Sam will be able to see it," Jess said.

"Uh, if you get it there, you can't wear anything tight over it until it heals," Sam said.

Jess scoffed. "So I won't."

Dean raised an eyebrow.

"The shirt I have on works without a bra." Jess said.

Dena smirked at Sam's face.

"Don't be a prude," Jess said with a smile. "I could get it elsewhere but I am running out of skin that is easily covered by a bathing suit."

Sam pinched the bridge of his nose and chuckled. "Please stop talking about your skin. You know how Dean is."

Dean grinned and reached back to fist bump Jess. "Oh, this summer is gonna be fun."

Jess laughed. "Sammy, if you don't want us to pick on you, you've got to stop turning red every time we do."

*Caleb and April*

Andy was jumping on the couch as Caleb put together a toy for Ian. "Are we going to see Sam and Jess too?"

"I don't know about today," Caleb said. "Hey, stop jumping. You are going to fall or break the couch."

Andy stopped. "Can I play with Owen today?"

Caleb handed Ian the toy. "I am going to ask your mom what is going on. I don't know yet."

Andy was happy that school was out but school did keep him busy and occupied.

"I wish I had half of your energy." Caleb said with a yawn.

"Ms. Jody says I have to use it now before it runs out." Andy said as he spun in circles.

Caleb thought some time would Owen would be a good thing. They could tire each other out. "Go outside if you are going to spin. I am going to ask her what the plan is."

Andy ran outside and spun in circles until he was too dizzy to stand. He fell on his back and looked up at the clouds. The sun was warm and the clouds were fluffy and white. That reminded him that he wanted to go camping and also go on a boat. Oh, he wanted to go to a water park too and maybe go on a hike.

April pulled her hair back into a ponytail and looked at herself in the mirror. She wasn't as pale as she had been. Maybe she was glowing.

"What is the plan for today?" Caleb asked.

April turned around. "Jody wanted to take me to town. We can take the boys with us."

"That doesn't sound fun. I can't imagine Andy and Owen in a store without getting kicked out." Caleb said, jokingly. "Is Sean off today?"

"I think so. Would you want to keep the boys?"

"I am sure we can find something to do. Andy was wanting to explore the woods, but this time with an adult." Caleb said, imitating the way that Andy had specified that part.

April smiled. "If you want anything from town, just write it down."

Caleb kissed her cheek and wrapped his arms around her. "I'll think about it." He got in touch with Sean and came up with a plan for them. They'd take the boys hiking and have a picnic out by the creek. The boys could play in the water for a while and then they could head back.

Andy got the update from Caleb and ran to his room. He whipped his head around and called out for Caleb. "Dad, what do I pack?"

Caleb gave him a short list. "You always need water and snacks."

Andy packed his backpack the way that Caleb showed him.

Caleb packed his own bag and added stuff for Ian. He spoke to April briefly and grabbed something from their room. "Andy, come here."

Andy sat his bag down and walked over to Caleb.

"I have something for you but you have to follow all of the rules with it. If you do not follow the rules, you will get it taken away and get your butt busted." Caleb said.

Andy nodded with wide eyes.

Caleb pulled a small pocket knife from behind his back.

Andy gasped and gently grabbed it. It had his name engraved on it and it even had Fisher on the opposite side. "This is for me?"

Caleb had gotten it a while back but hadn't given it to Andy for obvious reasons. He was around Andy's age when he got his first pocket knife. The one that he gave Andy was meant for young people. It had different tools in it and would be a good first knife to teach Andy responsibility and safety. "Yes. I had one pretty similar when I was a kid. Yours has our last name on it instead of just your first name."

Andy gave Caleb a big hug. "What are the rules?"

"You can only use it when I'm around. So when we get back from the hike, it will be put away. Over time, you'll be able to use it more often. I'll show you different things as we are on our hike. It isn't a toy so you will treat it like any other weapon. That means you can't be opening it to show off to Owen."

Andy nodded. "I won't." He held it like his most prized possession. "Can I put it in my pocket or do you have to carry it?"

"It can go in your pocket. Let me show you how it works though." Caleb said.

April watched them. Caleb was kneeling on the floor to be at Andy's level. He carefully showed Andy each item and how to pull it out and put it back without pinching his fingers. It warmed her heart. She started to think about Ian at that age and how the new baby would fit in. Would they all play sports? Would Ian be as enamored with Caleb as Andy was? Ian loved Caleb but he was still so young. Andy knew what it was like not to have a dad. He knew what it was like to not have a male around that was worth anything. So, when Dean had shown up at their house for the first time, he started to get attached right away. They met Caleb and he acted the same way. However, Caleb absorbed that attachment like he had been in Andy's life from the beginning. Now, Andy had a dad and uncles and tons of male role models to hang out with. Then, there was Karen. She was the motherly figure they all benefited from. Kate desperately needed that. Knowing that Karen was Elizabeth's sister and Andy's blood aunt just made it that much sweeter.

Jody dropped Sean and Owen off and picked April up. She smiled brightly. "You look like you are feeling better."

"I am. I kept breakfast down." April said.

"How many weeks now?" Jody asked.

April tried to do the math. "Eight?"

"I'm so happy for you." Jody said.

April rubbed her stomach. She could feel the beginning of a bump. "I think, since this is my second baby, I'm showing faster. Caleb says he can't tell but I can."

"Well, then we should get you some clothes," Jody said.

"Oh, no. I don't want to waste money on fancy clothes. I can wear what I have until I get really big. Then, I can steal Caleb's shirts." April said.

Jody chuckled. "The place I am taking you has maternity and kids clothes. They are second-hand but all in good condition. I know the woman that owns it."

April liked that idea. The boys did need a few new things. Luckily it was summertime and Andy could wear shorts because all of his pants fell off his hips or ended above his ankles.

"Caleb told me that he wanted you to enjoy yourself. Don't think about costs. Taylor's grandparents sent you guys a card with those same instructions I do believe."

April blushed.

"Sweetie, I have worked with a few women who escaped abusive husbands. I am lucky to have not been in your shoes but things are good now. So, you get to enjoy every part of this pregnancy. If you crave pickles at 2 a.m. and run out, I know that Caleb is the type of guy that would go get you some." Jody said as she drove.

April relaxed. She settled into a gentle flow of conversation and enjoyed the drive. She was a little surprised when they got to the store that Jody mentioned. It looked like a normal house.

"Come with me. It looks different on the inside." Jody said.

April stepped inside and blinked rapidly. The store did seem to be connected to the woman's house but it made the place feel comfortable. There were photos of children, some young, some adults along the walls. An elderly woman walked around the corner and greeted them.

"Hi, Elsie, this is April." Jody said.

April shook Elsie's hand and smiled at her.

"I twisted my knee a few weeks ago. I'm just now back on my feet, so excuse the mess." Elsie said.

April looked around. There wasn't a mess. Some of the clothes were piled up instead of being folded but the place was tidy.

"Everything should be organized by size but I can't promise you that. Go on and have a look. A young mother with four little boys was here the other day and they may have mixed some stuff up." Elsie said.

Jody stayed back to chat with Elsie and motioned for April to look around.

April had never seen so many clothes. She figured she should look for Andy's clothes first. She found his size and sorted through the items, folding the ones she didn't need and stacking them by type. She looked at the pile of pants and shirts she had pulled and chewed on her cheek. She found Elsie and Jody.

Jody walked into the other room with her.

"I know I shouldn't worry about the cost but I don't know how much these things are. I found a lot for Andy and I may need to put some of it back." April said.

Jody grabbed Elsie so that she could answer that question.

Elsie hobbled into the room and looked at the pile that April had. She saw the table and furrowed her brows. "Did you do that?"

April blushed deeply. "Yes, I'm sorry."

Elsie looked at the neat stacks. "Oh no, don't be sorry. Honey, if you wanted to, I could use a volunteer to help me sort through bags of donations. I can't pay you but would be happy to trade clothes for labor."

April's eyes got wide. "Really? That wouldn't be fair to you."

"Yes, it would," Elsie said with a warm smile. "As your boys outgrow things, you can bring them back here and swap for bigger things."

April looked at Jody for a moment. "When would you want me to come?"

"I've been informed that you are going to enjoy yourself today so you can look through things and pick out what you want. Then, you could come back a few times. We could work that all out. You are welcome to bring your kids." Elsie said.

April smiled. "That would be lovely. Thank you."

Elsie winked at her and motioned to her leg. "I am going to sit down but you just take what you need. If you take a lot then you can just visit me a lot."

Jody grabbed a wagon that she saw. "How about this?"

April looked at it. It folded up and was easy to open and close. As Ian got heavier, a wagon would be nice.

Jody picked up the stack of clothes for Andy and placed them in the wagon.

April really liked the wagon. It pulled smoothly. She already had a list of uses for it to justify getting it. She stopped herself. Who was she trying to justify it to? Caleb would tell her to get it. She never had a stroller for Ian. Maybe she should have. That would have made things easier. A wagon could work as a stroller too. She could just put an infant seat in it and then Ian could ride with the new baby.

Jody showed her an umbrella stroller with cars on it. "What about this?"

"I have the wagon." April said.

Jody chuckled. "There are times when a small stroller would be useful. You don't want to pull a wagon around in tight spaces."

April shrugged. Ian would like it. She started looking at clothes for Ian and quickly found a stack for him. She replaced the clothes she didn't need in a neat manner as she had with the bigger clothes. She saw the newborn clothes and her heart fluttered. Ian only had a few outfits at each stage. This baby could have a wardrobe.

Jody picked up a pair of shoes and showed April. "These are the cutest."

April felt a tug at her heart. They were tiny pink ballet style slippers. She spotted a frilly dress the same color as the shoes and showed Jody. "Oh but we won't know what the baby is for a long time."

Jody shrugged. "You can still shop. If you see things that are too cute not to get, that is okay. You can bring back the stuff you can't use. Like this." She held up a little white dress with different colored dinosaurs.

April smiled. "Oh, Andy would love that."

"I think this would get scooped up before you had a chance to come back for it." Jody said.

April held her hand out. The dress was soft and the dinos were cute. She felt a flutter in her stomach and held the dress to her chest. "Okay, you've convinced me."

Jody reminded her to look at clothes for herself too.

April wasn't as excited about that but looked anyway. She was surprised to have found quite a few dresses and shirts that would fit her and that she liked. She also found two pairs of jeans with a stretchy band. She was looking forward to volunteering with Elsie. She needed to get out of the house and it was something she would enjoy. After years of wrapping herself in a thick shell of anxiety and depression, she was starting to see the light through the cracks that were steadily being made.

Caleb loaded up his truck and drove to a known hiking area. He didn't want Ian around cliffs because the kid would run straight off of one just for the fun of it. He put Ian down and let him walk behind Andy and Owen.

Ian found a stick and picked it up. He waved it around and hit a few rocks with it. He decided that the stick was his friend and held onto it.

As they all walked, they talked about a variety of things. Caleb showed the boys a few plants and told them about berries, the good and the bad. He told them about snakes and other critters that could be out in the woods.

Ian walked until he decided that walking wasn't fun. He threw his stick down and sat down beside it. "Dada."

Caleb scooped him up. "Are your legs tired?"

Ian was happy to be carried. He looked at Caleb and signed that he wanted something to eat.

Caleb had Sean pull a snack bar from his pack. They were able to walk to their destination and stopped to let the boys rest.

Ian saw the creek and his eyes grew wide. He whined and wiggled so that Caleb would put him down.

Caleb pulled off his pants and shoes so that he was able to walk around in his shirt and diaper. The creek just had a trickle of water and the rocks were smooth.

Andy and Owen ate and then joined Ian. "Does this get deeper?"

"It does closer to the lake or if it rains." Sean said.

It was just enough to cover part of their feet but it was refreshing. They built a small dam so that the water would get deep enough to pool up to their ankles.

Ian left the creek as his legs got cold from sitting in the water. He shivered once and whined.

Caleb dried him off with a towel and changed his diaper before putting his pants and a clean shirt on him. He could tell that Ian was getting sleepy.

Sean helped the older boys dry their feet and slip back into their shoes.

Caleb put his backpack on and let Ian rest his cheek on his shoulder. April wasn't going to be able to carry him much longer because he was getting heavy. He got Sean's help wrapping a stretchy piece of material around Ian's back and then around his own back. It wasn't as hot as the carrier that April used but it gave his arm a break. He was still able to show Andy the pocket knife skills that he promised.

Andy gave it to him when they got to the truck. "Can we do this more often?"

"Of course," Caleb said. He put Ian in his car seat and buckled him in. With three kids, April was going to need her own vehicle.

*Jess and the guys*

Jess gently lowered her shirt over the bandage that the tattoo artist placed on her side. She felt like part of the family, officially. A bonus was that tattoos were forbidden by her parents.

Dean paid the artists and left a nice tip for each. He shoved his wallet back into his pocket. "I am starving."

"You are always starving," Sam said.

Dean flicked the fresh tattoo on Sam's chest and smirked when he winced. "Jess, are you hungry?"

"Yep," Jess said. She grabbed her bag and followed them out to the car.

Sam found a few places to eat and let the other two choose.

They ended up at a burger joint that had more than just diner style burgers.

Dean ordered the biggest greasiest burger on the menu and waited anxiously for it to arrive. "So, how has Stanford been treating you?"

Jess grumbled. "Boring."

Dean snorted. "I can't say it has been boring around here."

They chatted and caught up until the food arrived.

Dean dug into his burger and closed his eyes as he savored the first bite. "We've got to come here more often."

Sam chuckled and shook his head. "I have tried to tell you there is better food than diner food."

Dean held his hand up so Sam would stop talking. He sighed happily and continued eating his burger.

Jess got a message and looked at her phone. She slumped. Of course, it was from her mom. She was trying to make Jess feel guilty.

Sam covered Jess's phone with his hand. "Ignore her."

Jess put her phone away and let the comments roll off her back. Soon, they would be at Bobby's house and she would be surrounded by great people. That would distract her.

Dean called Bobby to let him know they were headed back.

Bobby told the kids.

Taylor and Kate had been working on something for an hour and were almost done.

Bobby looked at it and chuckled.

Kate drew the design and Taylor finished the engraving with a Dremel.

Bobby helped him attach the metal plate to a wooden back and looked at the finished project.

"That looks like the real thing," Kate said.

"Well, yeah, how do you think they make the real thing?" Taylor said.

"I wouldn't know 'trophy boy' I have never gotten an award or trophy before," Kate said.

They both jumped up when they heard Baby's engine.

Kate ran outside and gave Sam and Jess each a hug.

Taylor waved from the porch.

Dean got Jess's suitcase to the room that they'd be staying in.

Bobby waited for them to settle in and called Dean to his office along with everyone else.

Dean turned the corner. "What's up?"

Bobby motioned for him to sit down. "John is away for a few days so I'm giving you this on his behalf."

Dean unwrapped a flat package and read the plaque. "It's about damn time."

Sam looked over his shoulder. "What is it?"

Dean held it to his chest. "Recognition." He held it out so Sam could read it.

This award is presented to Dean Eric Winchester on this day, June 1, 2002, in recognition of his place as the most unfairly treated Winchester child.

Sam laughed.

Kate and Taylor traded looks.

Dean snorted. "Smartasses."

Kate grinned. "You said you wanted an award."

Dean ran his fingers over the engraved words. "This is going on my wall. Hell, it may go on the front door so everyone can see it."

Sam rolled his eyes. "That is dramatic."

Karen brought the camera into the room. She told him to pose for a picture.

Dean grinned brightly and held the plaque up to his chest. It had been a long running joke and the plaque just made him chuckle.

Sam grabbed the plaque and placed a piece of tape over 'most unfairly treated'. The new wording said 'most annoying.'

Dean pulled the tape off and stuck it to Sam's head. "Don't be jealous."

Sam laughed and stuck the tape to Dean's back.

Dean ran up the stairs and placed the plaque on his dresser. "If I find anyone has changed the wording on that I will strangle whoever did it."

Kate giggled. "Not if you can't figure out who it was."

Dean grabbed her in a headlock. "You forget I don't care. I can kick all your asses."

Sam, unknowingly, had started a game of sneaking into Dean's room and messing with his award. It would last for years and bring them all amusement.

Kate asked about their tattoos.

Sam showed her where his was.

Taylor pulled up his shirt and showed them his back.

Dean cleared his throat and narrowed his eyes.

Kate stuck her tongue out at him. "It is temporary." She then went on to explain her idea.

"That could work until you are adults and old enough to get a tattoo," Dean said.

Kate scrunched her nose. "Teenagers get tattoos all the time."

"If I find out that you've gotten a tattoo of any kind I will throttle you." Dean said.

Kate's eyes twinkled. "Well, if I get one where Jess did, you'd never know."