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Entry tags:
The Kid, Part 11 -- Supernatural - PG
Fandom: Supernatural
Title: The Kid Part 11 ( All of The Kid can be found Here)
Characters/Pairings: Dean, Sam, John, Pastor Jim, Missouri
Rating: PG
Genre: GEN (did you even know I could GEN?)
Word Count: 2625
Summary: Dean is 18, Sam is 14. John is 6. Pastor Jim calls in reinforcements in the form of Missouri Mosely. She gives Dean a whole knew list of things to worry about.
A/Ns & Warnings: Um. This is at least partially![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
varkelton's fault. De-aging fic.
Pretty art provided byfallen_for_lost
"Dean?"
Dean held up his hand as Jim finished his chanting. When Pastor Jim's hands finished their pass over the window, Dean looked up at Sam.
"What's going on?"
"Pastor Jim's helping us tighten up."
Sam was clearly not buying that. "Tighten up? That looks like serious shit."
"Watch your mouth." Dean stepped down off the porch. "It's just a blessing Sam."
Sam frowned at him, then up at the house. "What happened?"
"Why does something have to happen for us to be safe?"
"We've been here for almost a year and you haven't bothered. Why now?"
"Might as well tell him, Son." Jim said as he joined them, dusting his hands on his pants.
Dean sighed. He didn't want to have to tell Sam anything. He wasn't even really sure what had happened. He scrubbed his hand over his face and huffed. "There was a demon Sam. Looking for Dad."
Sam's eyes rose to the bedroom window. "Is he okay?"
"Scared, couldn't get him to let go of me for more than an hour…but he's fine."
"How?"
Dean shook his head. He was still trying to figure that out himself. "He was a hunter. Met him last Christmas at the church. He wanted some amulet." There was more, but Dean wasn't sure he believed it. "John seemed to know the guy was possessed."
"What?"
"Just like he saw that ghost."
Jim crossed his arms. "I've got a call into someone who might be able to tell us what's going on with him. She'll be here in a few days. Knew your father back in the early days."
"Are you sure we can trust her? I mean that Wallerby guy knew Dad too."
"We can trust her, Dean." Jim packed up the last of his things into his kit. "Missouri sees the truth of things."
"What about this demon?" Sam asked.
"Pastor Jim sent him back to hell. We're good for now."
"Until the next one comes along." Sam said. "How did it know?"
"It didn't." Dean shook his head. "I think it came looking for Pastor Jim and found us instead."
"Dad!" John's voice was tinged with frantic fear. Dean only just beat Sam to the door. John was standing in the living room, holding Mr. Turtle and looking terrified.
"What is it Kid?" Dean asked, squatting next to him.
"I didn't know where you were." He rubbed at his eyes that were still red from crying earlier.
"Remember when I told you I'd be right outside with Pastor Jim making the house safe?"
"I forgot."
"It's been a tough day." Jim said from the door. "But you should be secure now. I'll come by after I deal with the ghost. See how you boys are doing."
Dean went to shake his hand. "Thank you."
Jim's smile was caring and warm. "You have your hands full. Keep him safe."
Sam watched Jim leave then closed and locked the door. "So we're back to hiding behind salt lines and keeping holy water on hand?" His voice was bitter.
"Sam."
"No. You promised." Sam shouldered his backpack and headed for the stairs.
"How is this my fault?" Dean asked, standing and drawing John close.
"You're just like him."
"Who? Dad?"
Sam stopped on the stairs, his eyes flashing angrily. "I got homework."
He stormed into his room, slamming his door shut.
"Is Sammy angry?"
"He's just scared that something tried to hurt us. That's all."
"I was scared too. That man was all black inside. He was angry."
"But he's gone now, right?"
"The man is, but the black isn't." John hugged Mr. Turtle and looked up at Dean.
Of course, he was right. Wallerby was dead, but the demon was only evicted, sent back to hell. Dean sighed. "How about you come help me make dinner?"
"I want hot dogs."
"With mac-n-cheese?"
"Yum!"
Pastor Jim found the bones and salted and burned them and there was no sign that Tommy Jacobs was still hanging around. Dean knelt beside John by the pool, watching John who was trembling.
"Do you see him?"
John shook his head. "I don't think he's here any more."
"So it's safe to come back, right?"
"Do I have to?"
Dean turned John to face him. "No, you don't have to…but I want you to think about it, okay? You know he's gone, the pool is safe. You can't let a little fear keep you from doing things, right?"
John nodded, then jumped when the doors opened at the far end. Sarah waved and Dean smiled. "Just Sarah. We like Sarah."
John grinned at him. "You like Sarah, you mean."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Sam says you want to take her on a date."
"Sam says, huh?"
"The kids told me you two were back here. Everything okay?"
Dean stood and smiled. "Just showing John there's nothing to be afraid of, after Thursday, he's a little hesitant."
She nodded. "You know we'd never let anything hurt you here, right John?"
His hand slipped into Dean's. "I know. Dad was just helping me remember."
"That's what Dad's are for." She gestured toward the doors. "We're just getting ready to serve Mrs. Actins famous chocolate chip cookies. Care to join us?"
"Can my Dad stay? He likes cookies."
"Of course."
"Come on Dad." John tugged on his hand and Dean followed. Sarah held the door for them and once they were on the other side, John pulled on his hand until Dean squatted next to him. "Next time, you hold the door for her, Dad. Girls like that."
"They do? Who told you that?"
"Jeff. He says his dad says that girls like that."
Dean ruffled John's hair. "Thanks buddy. I'll remember that."
"Can I go sit with Jeff?"
"Go on."
"He seems to be recovering well." Sarah observed as Dean stood back up.
"He was pretty scared, but he's a strong kid." Dean watched John make faces at Jeff.
"Thursday, before the incident, John told me that you were shy. You don't seem like the shy kind."
Dean could feel a blush creeping up his neck. "No…shy, that's not me."
"So, if you haven't asked me out yet…it's because you don't want to go out with me?"
Dean opened his mouth, but no words came out. He closed it and scratched his head. "I wouldn't say that," he finally managed.
She grinned. "Good. Say dinner, Friday night?"
Dean nodded slowly. "Yeah, okay. Dinner. Friday night. I'll pick you up."
She grinned. "Good. Now that that's settled, Mom wanted me to ask if you have plans for Thanksgiving."
"Actually, yeah. We do." It was hard to believe that Thanksgiving was only a few days away. "There's a…family friend. He's expecting us."
"She had visions of you and the boys at some diner eating over cooked turkey dinners."
Dean frowned at her. "I can cook a turkey." Not that he ever had, but how hard could it be? "I just…choose not to. If I can help it." His eyes tracked to John, watching as he and Jeff dissolved into a fit of laughter. "He looks like he's settled in."
"He'll be fine." Sarah agreed. "I'll keep an eye on him."
"I'll be back at five." Dean had to meet Jim and this Missouri person at the church. There was no way he was letting anyone else near him until he was sure they could be trusted.
When he got there, Jim greeted him by the front doors. "How's John?"
"Seems okay. She here?"
Jim nodded and gestured back toward his office. "I haven't told her much, like you asked."
Right now, Dean was of the opinion that the fewer people who knew exactly what had happened to his father the better. Jim opened the door to his office and a woman inside stood, turning. She looked familiar, her dark hair pulled back, her brown eyes filled with caring and concern.
"Dean, this is Missouri Mosely. Missouri, Dean Winchester."
"Like I wouldn't know." Missouri waved Jim off. "You probably don't remember me, child. You were just a small thing when I saw you last."
"No ma'am, I don't."
"Oh, all business. Just like your daddy."
Dean nodded. "I got a boy I need to be worried about. I'm not here for niceties."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "Well then, let's get down to business. Why am I here?"
"You're here, Missouri, because we have a nearly seven year old boy who's able to see ghosts and demons that no one else around him can see." Jim said, dropping into the chair behind his bed.
"Who is this boy?"
"I'd rather not say just yet." Dean said. "We have reason to believe that there are demons looking for him."
Missouri's other eyebrow lifted. "What interest do demons have in a boy?"
"That's what we're hoping you can tell us." Jim said.
"Can't tell nothing less I meet the child."
Jim's eyes met Dean's. After a long minute, Dean nodded. "Let's do this at home. I'll go pick him up. Meet me there around 5:30."
Sam was already home when they pulled into the driveway. Dean turned the car off and looked over the seat at John. It was almost like everything was normal, like nothing had happened.
"I need you to go put your things upstairs, buddy." Dean said as he helped John out of the car. "We're having company in a little while."
"Who?"
"Pastor Jim is bringing a new friend over to meet you." Dean held the screen door and pushed the heavy wood one open. Sam looked up from the coffee table where he had homework spread out.
"A new friend, like Jeff?"
"No, someone older. Go on now." Dean watched him race up the stairs and sighed.
"I take it you met her?" Sam asked without getting up.
"Yeah, they're on their way over."
"I'll get out of your way." Sam started packing his books up. They had hardly spoken since Friday.
"Sam…you don't have to…"
His face was hard when he looked up at Dean. "No?"
The knock on the door interrupted them and Dean turned to open it, letting Pastor Jim and Missouri in. Sam stopped cold as Missouri looked at him. "My, my, we are interrupting, aren't we?" Missouri said.
Sam glared at Dean. "I was just leaving."
"Oh, don't go storming off angry with your brother Samuel." Missouri said. "Didn't your Daddy teach you any manners?"
Sam's scowl switched to her face. "What Daddy? I don't have one." He shoved his books into his back pack and stormed up the stairs.
"Don't mind him. He's angry."
"You don't say?" Missouri shook her head. "He's afraid, Dean. Afraid he's going to lose you. Already lost one daddy, didn't he? Can't stand the thought of losing another."
Dean's eye narrowed and he looked from her to Jim. "What? He didn't tell you I'm a psychic?"
"No." Dean growled, not happy with Jim.
"Don't go blaming him. He figured you'd tell him no if you knew." She dropped her purse on the chair and faced Dean. "Now, where is this boy?"
Almost as if on cue, John's bedroom door opened and he emerged in his cowboy hat, with Mr. Turtle under his arm. "Come on down, Kid." Dean called.
John came racing down to about the fourth step, then leaped at Dean who caught him.
"Oh my goodness." Missouri said, backing up until she sat down hard on the couch.
"This is Missouri." Dean said to John. "Can you say hi?"
John rolled his eyes and hid his face for a second. "She sparkles, Dad."
Dean looked to Missouri who seemed to be in a bit of a faint. "So?"
She held up a hand and took several deep breaths. "John Winchester." She gestured for Dean to bring him closer. "Come here child; let me hold your hand."
"It's okay." Dean said softly, sitting beside her on the couch and holding John on his lap. "She's here to help."
John didn't pull away as she took his hand. She held it for a long time without moving. When she let go, she brushed a hand through his hair and kissed his forehead. "Gifted. Powerful gifted. Sees things. Knows the darkness." She licked her lips and looked up at Jim. "I could use some water and some time alone with Dean."
"John, why don't you go play in your room." Dean said, setting him on his feet.
John looked at Missouri, leaning in to hold her face and look into her eyes. "Sparkles."
When he was gone and Jim had disappeared into the kitchen, Missouri took Dean's hand and held it like she had John's. "I'm so sorry, child." Her eyes opened and there were unshed tears in them. "He's laid a heavy burden on your shoulders."
"I do okay." Dean responded, uncomfortable with her emotion.
She nodded. "You do. You do very well. Taking care of Sam helped teach you that. But that child…"
She took a deep breath. "He has no memory of who he was. Not even buried. Whatever did this literally returned him to the boy he was at this age. Before his father beat the gifts out of him."
Dean stood and paced away. He'd known his grandfather had hurt his father, but this confirmation was more than he wanted to hear.
"Your grandfather was not a pleasant man." Missouri said as Dean leaned against the door. "Your daddy and I talked about it. He always suspected that his father killed his mother, but could never prove it."
"So he was like this before?" Dean asked.
"The gifts? Oh yes, born with him. His father thought it was nonsense. Took the belt to him whenever he spoke up. 'Less he was drinking, then he'd just throw him around. Eventually John suppressed them, forgot how to see that way. Protected himself."
"What…how do I…" He couldn't even begin to figure out how to ask what he wanted to know.
"Love him, let him know it's okay. Listen to him." Missouri stood and moved toward him. "He adores you. He's a little confused about some stuff, but as he gets older that will pass. He'll forget what came before he found you." Her hand caressed over Dean's cheek.
"What about the demon?"
"Well, that's a different story, isn't it?" She backed away as Jim emerged from the kitchen with a glass of water. "That demon's only the tip of the iceberg I'm afraid."
She took the glass of water and downed half of it before heading back to the couch. "Your father has his share of enemies in the demon world."
"It said that they all know he isn't dead because he wasn't in hell yet." Dean rubbed his face and tried not to see the sneer on Wallerby's face, the black in his eyes. "It will come looking for him again."
"Yes, it probably will, and it won't be alone."
"So, how do we protect him?"
"Let him be a kid." Missouri said softly. "They aren't looking for a kid. They'll come looking for you though. You and Sam." Her eyes lifted to Sam's bedroom door at the top of the stairs. "And that's going to be your big problem. With all that anger and fear your brother's carrying around, he's got himself wide open to take some demon inside him."
Dean frowned and shook his head. "Sam? No. He's…just a kid."
"He's what? Fourteen now?" Missouri asked. "Old enough. He's plenty ripe too. Anger. Fear. Confusion. A good dose of teenage lust. You send him out into the world like that for long, one day he's going to come home with eyes black as sin itself."
Title: The Kid Part 11 ( All of The Kid can be found Here)
Characters/Pairings: Dean, Sam, John, Pastor Jim, Missouri
Rating: PG
Genre: GEN (did you even know I could GEN?)
Word Count: 2625
Summary: Dean is 18, Sam is 14. John is 6. Pastor Jim calls in reinforcements in the form of Missouri Mosely. She gives Dean a whole knew list of things to worry about.
A/Ns & Warnings: Um. This is at least partially
varkelton's fault. De-aging fic. Pretty art provided by
fallen_for_lost"Dean?"
Dean held up his hand as Jim finished his chanting. When Pastor Jim's hands finished their pass over the window, Dean looked up at Sam.
"What's going on?"
"Pastor Jim's helping us tighten up."
Sam was clearly not buying that. "Tighten up? That looks like serious shit."
"Watch your mouth." Dean stepped down off the porch. "It's just a blessing Sam."
Sam frowned at him, then up at the house. "What happened?"
"Why does something have to happen for us to be safe?"
"We've been here for almost a year and you haven't bothered. Why now?"
"Might as well tell him, Son." Jim said as he joined them, dusting his hands on his pants.
Dean sighed. He didn't want to have to tell Sam anything. He wasn't even really sure what had happened. He scrubbed his hand over his face and huffed. "There was a demon Sam. Looking for Dad."
Sam's eyes rose to the bedroom window. "Is he okay?"
"Scared, couldn't get him to let go of me for more than an hour…but he's fine."
"How?"
Dean shook his head. He was still trying to figure that out himself. "He was a hunter. Met him last Christmas at the church. He wanted some amulet." There was more, but Dean wasn't sure he believed it. "John seemed to know the guy was possessed."
"What?"
"Just like he saw that ghost."
Jim crossed his arms. "I've got a call into someone who might be able to tell us what's going on with him. She'll be here in a few days. Knew your father back in the early days."
"Are you sure we can trust her? I mean that Wallerby guy knew Dad too."
"We can trust her, Dean." Jim packed up the last of his things into his kit. "Missouri sees the truth of things."
"What about this demon?" Sam asked.
"Pastor Jim sent him back to hell. We're good for now."
"Until the next one comes along." Sam said. "How did it know?"
"It didn't." Dean shook his head. "I think it came looking for Pastor Jim and found us instead."
"Dad!" John's voice was tinged with frantic fear. Dean only just beat Sam to the door. John was standing in the living room, holding Mr. Turtle and looking terrified.
"What is it Kid?" Dean asked, squatting next to him.
"I didn't know where you were." He rubbed at his eyes that were still red from crying earlier.
"Remember when I told you I'd be right outside with Pastor Jim making the house safe?"
"I forgot."
"It's been a tough day." Jim said from the door. "But you should be secure now. I'll come by after I deal with the ghost. See how you boys are doing."
Dean went to shake his hand. "Thank you."
Jim's smile was caring and warm. "You have your hands full. Keep him safe."
Sam watched Jim leave then closed and locked the door. "So we're back to hiding behind salt lines and keeping holy water on hand?" His voice was bitter.
"Sam."
"No. You promised." Sam shouldered his backpack and headed for the stairs.
"How is this my fault?" Dean asked, standing and drawing John close.
"You're just like him."
"Who? Dad?"
Sam stopped on the stairs, his eyes flashing angrily. "I got homework."
He stormed into his room, slamming his door shut.
"Is Sammy angry?"
"He's just scared that something tried to hurt us. That's all."
"I was scared too. That man was all black inside. He was angry."
"But he's gone now, right?"
"The man is, but the black isn't." John hugged Mr. Turtle and looked up at Dean.
Of course, he was right. Wallerby was dead, but the demon was only evicted, sent back to hell. Dean sighed. "How about you come help me make dinner?"
"I want hot dogs."
"With mac-n-cheese?"
"Yum!"
Pastor Jim found the bones and salted and burned them and there was no sign that Tommy Jacobs was still hanging around. Dean knelt beside John by the pool, watching John who was trembling.
"Do you see him?"
John shook his head. "I don't think he's here any more."
"So it's safe to come back, right?"
"Do I have to?"
Dean turned John to face him. "No, you don't have to…but I want you to think about it, okay? You know he's gone, the pool is safe. You can't let a little fear keep you from doing things, right?"
John nodded, then jumped when the doors opened at the far end. Sarah waved and Dean smiled. "Just Sarah. We like Sarah."
John grinned at him. "You like Sarah, you mean."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Sam says you want to take her on a date."
"Sam says, huh?"
"The kids told me you two were back here. Everything okay?"
Dean stood and smiled. "Just showing John there's nothing to be afraid of, after Thursday, he's a little hesitant."
She nodded. "You know we'd never let anything hurt you here, right John?"
His hand slipped into Dean's. "I know. Dad was just helping me remember."
"That's what Dad's are for." She gestured toward the doors. "We're just getting ready to serve Mrs. Actins famous chocolate chip cookies. Care to join us?"
"Can my Dad stay? He likes cookies."
"Of course."
"Come on Dad." John tugged on his hand and Dean followed. Sarah held the door for them and once they were on the other side, John pulled on his hand until Dean squatted next to him. "Next time, you hold the door for her, Dad. Girls like that."
"They do? Who told you that?"
"Jeff. He says his dad says that girls like that."
Dean ruffled John's hair. "Thanks buddy. I'll remember that."
"Can I go sit with Jeff?"
"Go on."
"He seems to be recovering well." Sarah observed as Dean stood back up.
"He was pretty scared, but he's a strong kid." Dean watched John make faces at Jeff.
"Thursday, before the incident, John told me that you were shy. You don't seem like the shy kind."
Dean could feel a blush creeping up his neck. "No…shy, that's not me."
"So, if you haven't asked me out yet…it's because you don't want to go out with me?"
Dean opened his mouth, but no words came out. He closed it and scratched his head. "I wouldn't say that," he finally managed.
She grinned. "Good. Say dinner, Friday night?"
Dean nodded slowly. "Yeah, okay. Dinner. Friday night. I'll pick you up."
She grinned. "Good. Now that that's settled, Mom wanted me to ask if you have plans for Thanksgiving."
"Actually, yeah. We do." It was hard to believe that Thanksgiving was only a few days away. "There's a…family friend. He's expecting us."
"She had visions of you and the boys at some diner eating over cooked turkey dinners."
Dean frowned at her. "I can cook a turkey." Not that he ever had, but how hard could it be? "I just…choose not to. If I can help it." His eyes tracked to John, watching as he and Jeff dissolved into a fit of laughter. "He looks like he's settled in."
"He'll be fine." Sarah agreed. "I'll keep an eye on him."
"I'll be back at five." Dean had to meet Jim and this Missouri person at the church. There was no way he was letting anyone else near him until he was sure they could be trusted.
When he got there, Jim greeted him by the front doors. "How's John?"
"Seems okay. She here?"
Jim nodded and gestured back toward his office. "I haven't told her much, like you asked."
Right now, Dean was of the opinion that the fewer people who knew exactly what had happened to his father the better. Jim opened the door to his office and a woman inside stood, turning. She looked familiar, her dark hair pulled back, her brown eyes filled with caring and concern.
"Dean, this is Missouri Mosely. Missouri, Dean Winchester."
"Like I wouldn't know." Missouri waved Jim off. "You probably don't remember me, child. You were just a small thing when I saw you last."
"No ma'am, I don't."
"Oh, all business. Just like your daddy."
Dean nodded. "I got a boy I need to be worried about. I'm not here for niceties."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "Well then, let's get down to business. Why am I here?"
"You're here, Missouri, because we have a nearly seven year old boy who's able to see ghosts and demons that no one else around him can see." Jim said, dropping into the chair behind his bed.
"Who is this boy?"
"I'd rather not say just yet." Dean said. "We have reason to believe that there are demons looking for him."
Missouri's other eyebrow lifted. "What interest do demons have in a boy?"
"That's what we're hoping you can tell us." Jim said.
"Can't tell nothing less I meet the child."
Jim's eyes met Dean's. After a long minute, Dean nodded. "Let's do this at home. I'll go pick him up. Meet me there around 5:30."
Sam was already home when they pulled into the driveway. Dean turned the car off and looked over the seat at John. It was almost like everything was normal, like nothing had happened.
"I need you to go put your things upstairs, buddy." Dean said as he helped John out of the car. "We're having company in a little while."
"Who?"
"Pastor Jim is bringing a new friend over to meet you." Dean held the screen door and pushed the heavy wood one open. Sam looked up from the coffee table where he had homework spread out.
"A new friend, like Jeff?"
"No, someone older. Go on now." Dean watched him race up the stairs and sighed.
"I take it you met her?" Sam asked without getting up.
"Yeah, they're on their way over."
"I'll get out of your way." Sam started packing his books up. They had hardly spoken since Friday.
"Sam…you don't have to…"
His face was hard when he looked up at Dean. "No?"
The knock on the door interrupted them and Dean turned to open it, letting Pastor Jim and Missouri in. Sam stopped cold as Missouri looked at him. "My, my, we are interrupting, aren't we?" Missouri said.
Sam glared at Dean. "I was just leaving."
"Oh, don't go storming off angry with your brother Samuel." Missouri said. "Didn't your Daddy teach you any manners?"
Sam's scowl switched to her face. "What Daddy? I don't have one." He shoved his books into his back pack and stormed up the stairs.
"Don't mind him. He's angry."
"You don't say?" Missouri shook her head. "He's afraid, Dean. Afraid he's going to lose you. Already lost one daddy, didn't he? Can't stand the thought of losing another."
Dean's eye narrowed and he looked from her to Jim. "What? He didn't tell you I'm a psychic?"
"No." Dean growled, not happy with Jim.
"Don't go blaming him. He figured you'd tell him no if you knew." She dropped her purse on the chair and faced Dean. "Now, where is this boy?"
Almost as if on cue, John's bedroom door opened and he emerged in his cowboy hat, with Mr. Turtle under his arm. "Come on down, Kid." Dean called.
John came racing down to about the fourth step, then leaped at Dean who caught him.
"Oh my goodness." Missouri said, backing up until she sat down hard on the couch.
"This is Missouri." Dean said to John. "Can you say hi?"
John rolled his eyes and hid his face for a second. "She sparkles, Dad."
Dean looked to Missouri who seemed to be in a bit of a faint. "So?"
She held up a hand and took several deep breaths. "John Winchester." She gestured for Dean to bring him closer. "Come here child; let me hold your hand."
"It's okay." Dean said softly, sitting beside her on the couch and holding John on his lap. "She's here to help."
John didn't pull away as she took his hand. She held it for a long time without moving. When she let go, she brushed a hand through his hair and kissed his forehead. "Gifted. Powerful gifted. Sees things. Knows the darkness." She licked her lips and looked up at Jim. "I could use some water and some time alone with Dean."
"John, why don't you go play in your room." Dean said, setting him on his feet.
John looked at Missouri, leaning in to hold her face and look into her eyes. "Sparkles."
When he was gone and Jim had disappeared into the kitchen, Missouri took Dean's hand and held it like she had John's. "I'm so sorry, child." Her eyes opened and there were unshed tears in them. "He's laid a heavy burden on your shoulders."
"I do okay." Dean responded, uncomfortable with her emotion.
She nodded. "You do. You do very well. Taking care of Sam helped teach you that. But that child…"
She took a deep breath. "He has no memory of who he was. Not even buried. Whatever did this literally returned him to the boy he was at this age. Before his father beat the gifts out of him."
Dean stood and paced away. He'd known his grandfather had hurt his father, but this confirmation was more than he wanted to hear.
"Your grandfather was not a pleasant man." Missouri said as Dean leaned against the door. "Your daddy and I talked about it. He always suspected that his father killed his mother, but could never prove it."
"So he was like this before?" Dean asked.
"The gifts? Oh yes, born with him. His father thought it was nonsense. Took the belt to him whenever he spoke up. 'Less he was drinking, then he'd just throw him around. Eventually John suppressed them, forgot how to see that way. Protected himself."
"What…how do I…" He couldn't even begin to figure out how to ask what he wanted to know.
"Love him, let him know it's okay. Listen to him." Missouri stood and moved toward him. "He adores you. He's a little confused about some stuff, but as he gets older that will pass. He'll forget what came before he found you." Her hand caressed over Dean's cheek.
"What about the demon?"
"Well, that's a different story, isn't it?" She backed away as Jim emerged from the kitchen with a glass of water. "That demon's only the tip of the iceberg I'm afraid."
She took the glass of water and downed half of it before heading back to the couch. "Your father has his share of enemies in the demon world."
"It said that they all know he isn't dead because he wasn't in hell yet." Dean rubbed his face and tried not to see the sneer on Wallerby's face, the black in his eyes. "It will come looking for him again."
"Yes, it probably will, and it won't be alone."
"So, how do we protect him?"
"Let him be a kid." Missouri said softly. "They aren't looking for a kid. They'll come looking for you though. You and Sam." Her eyes lifted to Sam's bedroom door at the top of the stairs. "And that's going to be your big problem. With all that anger and fear your brother's carrying around, he's got himself wide open to take some demon inside him."
Dean frowned and shook his head. "Sam? No. He's…just a kid."
"He's what? Fourteen now?" Missouri asked. "Old enough. He's plenty ripe too. Anger. Fear. Confusion. A good dose of teenage lust. You send him out into the world like that for long, one day he's going to come home with eyes black as sin itself."