Chapter 6

Four days had passed since Bobby had brought the Winchester brothers home with him. There had been no word from John and Dean was starting to panic. All he could think now was that his father was dead. His mood was low, and he snapped at everyone about any little thing. Sammy tried to avoid him and wasn't sure what to do so he stayed curled up with his puzzle books and tried not to think about their father.

Dean was in the kitchen getting something to snack on when he heard the phone ringing in Bobby's office. Forgetting about his snack, he ran for the office and stood in the doorway watching and listening as Bobby answered it. He strained to hear without actually going into the room so not to be rude. He watched him scribble on a piece of paper as he listened to the caller.

"Was that about Dad?" Dean asked cautiously when Bobby hung up.

"I think so. Some gossip has been going around about a couple of hunters getting revenge on another hunter," Bobby told him deciding not to lie about it. "Get your brother and go pack your bags, we're leaving shortly."

"Do you know where Dad is?"

"Maybe, but you and your brother are going to a friend of mine to stay while I go check it out. You might even know her, she's from Lawrence."

"No! I'm going with you," Dean demanded. "Sammy's old enough to stay by himself with your friend."

"I know you want to come son, but you need to take care of your brother. And you might be able to find some things out from Missouri to help Sam."

"Why does that name sound familiar?"

"I think your Daddy went to see her after your Momma died. She pulled the curtain back and showed him what was out there in the shadows and darkness."

"You said she lives in Lawrence, right?"

"Yes."

"I think I vaguely remember Dad going to see her a few times. She gave me milk and cookies."

"Missouri is a psychic. The real thing and she might be able to make sense of what's happening to your brother."

Dean glanced behind him at his little brother and was torn between helping his father or helping his brother. The more he thought about it, he knew he couldn't leave Sammy alone. If there was something strange going on with him, he needed to be there to help him through it.

"Fine, I'll get Sammy moving and we'll be ready." Dean turned and walked over to his brother. "Sammy, come on, we need to pack."

"Why?" Sam asked, not looking up.

"Bobby might have gotten a lead on Dad and he's dropping us off at a friend's place."

"I want to go with Bobby." Sam finally looked up and leaned forward looking at Dean with a stern gaze.

"We can't. We'd be in the way and might hamper things. Let's go, Bobby wants to get on the road."

Sam stood slowly and followed Dean upstairs without another word. They packed their few belongings and used the bathroom before heading downstairs to wait on Bobby. It wasn't long before he came down the hall from his bedroom carrying bags that he sat at the door before joining them in the living room.

"Dean, go get a couple of drinks and snacks for you guys for the trip," Bobby told Dean. "Oh, might as well take the juice boxes and crackers with us for you guys."

"Yes sir," Dean nodded hurrying to the kitchen to grab a bag and the items.

"You ready Sam?" he asked the young boy. "Did you use the bathroom?"

"Yes sir," Sammy replied shyly fidgeting as he shifted his pack to his other shoulder.

"Okay, I got us snacks and drinks," Dean announced closing the bag he was carrying.

"Head for the car then," Bobby told the boys. "I'm grabbing a travel mug of coffee and double checking the locks and I'll be out."

"C'mon Sammy let's get our things put in the car," Dean instructed his brother picking up his pack from the couch and guiding Sammy to the door.

Bobby strolled into the kitchen and found a travel mug to fill with the last of the coffee before unplugging the pot. He checked the door and double locked it before heading into the living room to get his bags. After double locking the front door, he hurried to the car and put his things in the trunk before getting into the driver's seat.

The Chevelle didn't look like much, but it had a rebuilt engine and ran like a dream. He turned the motor over and let it settle into a steady roar before putting the car in gear and driving down the driveway. He stopped long enough at the gate to pull it shut and lock it before getting on the road that would lead him to the interstate south toward Lawrence, Kansas.

Spn

Bobby had to stop once for gas and a bathroom break for the boys. He made good time and didn't run into any delays on their trip to Lawrence. He glanced over at Dean as they passed the sign that said Lawrence City Limits and saw him tense and look scared before he hid his feelings and clenched his jaw tightly. He never said anything knowing Dean would remember what happened to their Mom, but Sam wouldn't, being only six months old at the time.

He took the long way around to Missouri Mosley's house so he wouldn't go past where the brothers were raised, afraid it might trigger something with Dean. He pulled into the driveway of a two-story clapboard house that was well maintained. It had a small front porch and a garage sitting beside the house. There was a fence that ran from the garage to the house blocking off the backyard from view. There were several beds for flowers along the side of the house that were cleaned out and bare now since the weather was cold.

"Okay boys," Bobby said. "I want you two to be on your best behavior while you're staying with Missouri. She's a gentle, kind, person and will take care of you while I'm gone."

They got out of the car and headed for the front door. Before Bobby could ring the bell, the door was opened by a coca skinned, short, woman in her thirties. She gave them a brief look before smiling and greeting them.

"Lands sake, get in here out of the cold. Bobby, it's good to see you. It's been too long," she greeted them in a lyrical, soft-spoken voice.

"I know Missouri, it has been," Bobby replied pushing the boys into the house in front of him.

"And this is Dean, my how you've grown since the last time I saw you," she spoke to Dean. "Do you remember me?"

"A little, you gave me milk and cookies," Dean replied studying the woman carefully.

"My goodness is that young Samuel?" she asked in surprise as Sam peeked around Dean's body. "You were just a tiny baby when your Daddy first came around all those years ago."

"Hi," Sammy mumbled sidling closer to Dean as he looked up at Missouri.

"You have nothing to fear from me child," Missouri cooed to Sam laying a hand on his shoulder for a moment sensing something inside of the boy and looked at Bobby. "I have some fresh baked cookies and ice-cold milk in the kitchen. Would you boys like some?"

"Yes, please," Dean readily agreed.

"Leave your packs by the stairs here boys; you can take them upstairs later," Bobby told them catching the silent communication from Missouri. "I should head out now. I'm meeting some other hunters that are going to help me. Remember what we talked about. I'll call when I have some news. Bye boys."

"Bye," they replied together before gingerly moving deeper into the house toward the kitchen.

"Don't you worry none about these boys; they'll be fine with me," Missouri told him watching the boys cautiously wander to the back of the house. "We'll talk when you get back," she whispered to Bobby.

"I thought as much. Thanks Missouri. I don't think you'll have any problems."

"You be careful Bobby. You don't know what you're going up against."

"I will." Bobby let himself out and headed for his car. He still had a several hour drive ahead of him.

Missouri strolled down the hall to find Sam and Dean sitting at the table in her small kitchen. A plate of cookies sat in the middle of the table untouched. She could feel the uncertainty and slight fear wafting off them and hoped to ease their minds.

"Okay, let me get the milk and you can help yourself to the cookies." Missouri turned on an electric kettle to heat water for tea for herself.

"Can I help?" Dean asked sliding his chair back to get up.

"Why thank you young man. Let me pour the milk and you can take it to the table." Missouri got out two glasses from the cabinet and the milk from the fridge. She filled them and let Dean take them to the table. After she had her tea made, she joined them at the table and watched Dean use a napkin and placed two cookies on it for his brother. He did the same for himself and neither took a bite as they looked at her to see if she would take a cookie. "Go ahead boys, eat your cookies."

Sammy picked up a cookie and nibbled a bite like a little mouse. Dean took his cookie and took a large bite, savoring the sweet taste and spices that exploded in his mouth. The cookies were just as good as he remembered.

"These are great, ma'am," Dean praised her before taking another bite.

"Why thank you honey. I'm glad you are enjoying them. And you can call me Missouri. There's no need to be that formal."

"Dean," Sammy got his attention. "Dad said we were supposed to speak properly to adults. He won't like it if you don't." Sammy glanced sideways at Missouri still a little afraid of her.

"It's fine Samuel. You're in my house and I make the rules. Missouri is fine," she assured him with a kind smile and pat on the hand. "Your Daddy won't mind since I said it was alright."

"Alright Missouri," Dean replied giving her a halfway smile. He didn't know what it was about this woman, but she seemed to put his mind at ease. Her soft-spoken voice was almost musical to his ears. "Dip the cookie in milk Sammy, it makes them taste even better," Dean told his brother.

Sammy watched his brother dip his cookie for a second in his milk and then took a bite. He copied him and nodded it was good as he chewed. He kept glancing sideways at Missouri as she sipped her tea and watched the boys. She could see how close they were and that there was a strong bond between them.

"I'm making fried chicken tonight for dinner. Is that okay with you two?"

"Yes, it's fine. Don't go to any trouble for us."

"I won't honey. It's a treat to be cooking for someone again. And I think you're a pie person Dean; am I correct?"

"Yes ma'am…I mean Missouri. I do like pies," Dean replied excitedly. Homemade pies were his favorite dessert though he didn't get them very often when they were on the road with their dad.

"And Samuel, if there's anything special that you might want, you let me know."

"Okay," Sammy answered in a small voice. "I really like your cookies."

"I thought you would. What child doesn't like homemade cookies. After you're done, we can go into the living room if you like since it's too chilly to go outside. You can watch some television or read or play cards if you like. I don't have any other games for your age I'm afraid."

"It's fine, Sammy has his puzzle books, and I can look at my magazine that Uncle Bobby just got me," Dean told her.

"Alright, you boys make yourself at home. I'll show you your bedroom later and you can settle in."

Sammy finished his cookies and looked at the plate and then to Dean to see if it was okay to take another one. He got a slight nod and reached for another cookie to munch on. Dean helped himself to another one and decided that was enough so they wouldn't seem like pigs. He ate the last cookie slowly to make it last and finished his milk. Once Sammy was done, they took their glasses to the sink to rinse out and threw away their trash before following Missouri to the living room.

The brothers got their books and settled on the couch to relax. Missouri sat in her chair and picked up her crocheting to work on. She reached over and turned on the radio to let music float softly through the room. She watched the brothers as they absently nodded to the beat of the music. She could sense how closed off and complex Samuel's mind was and how open and readable his brother's mind was. Missouri was going to try and do a reading on Samuel if his brother would let her. It didn't take much to see how protective Dean was toward his little brother.

A/N: Reviews/Comments would be great. NC