Epilogue

For the next few weeks, there were a few more guests at the Singer Salvage yard. There were arguments, and there was teasing, and there were moments that held their share of pain. But there were also games of catch, and time spent fishing, and games of hide-and-seek. There were cookouts, and moments of quiet reflection, there was raucous, semi-buzzed adult laughter, and nights when two young boys stayed up past their bedtimes and tried to catch fireflies with feline assistance.

John and Bobby sat on chairs, bottles of beer at hand, as they watched the boys dash around in the moonlight after the fireflies. Whenever Sam caught one and contained it in the old Mason jar he had at the ready, he'd shout out in glee. Watching his boys play gave John a measure of guilt. He was well aware his boys didn't have the life they needed or deserved. He knew that to the depths of his soul, and yet he couldn't give up the hunt for what took his Mary. He couldn't. Not yet.

Bobby looked over at John, alerted by the man's quietness. "I can hear the gears turnin' in that melon of yours. What's it now, John? You're moping about somethin'."

John took a sip of beer, shrugged. "Thinking about what you said before. About Mary. You were right, Bobby. She wouldn't have wanted this life for the boys. She'd want me to give them all I could, settle down, keep 'em safe."

He looked over at Bobby, and the raw pain in John's eyes went straight to the other man's heart. "But something tells me I have to kill that thing, because if I don't... it's not done with us. I don't know how I know that, but I do. I know it in my soul. I have to kill it before it comes back and hurts my boys again. I'll die before I let that happen, Bobby. I'll die a hundred times before I'll let that thing hurt my boys."

"I hear ya, John, and I ain't gonna stop ya, but you need to think of the boys too. Keeping them here with me this summer has been good for 'em. Ain't gonna lie, it's been good for me too. But, they need you even more. You're their dad, not me. The hunt will always be there, you know it as well as I do, but those boys out there-" he gestured at the boys as they ran about the yard, Dean chasing after his brother, "they need a home. A place to settle down. Go to school regular. Make friends."

John smiled as he watched Dean tackle Sammy, tugging his brother to the ground, tickling him as Sammy screeched with glee. "I know, Bobby. I do."

"Then do somethin' about it. Settle down somewhere around here, maybe. If you get the itch to hunt, I'll be here for the kids, but give them a home, man. They deserve it, and John-"

John looked over at his friend. "Yeah?"

"You deserve it too. Mary'd want it for you and the boys."

"I know. I-"

"D-DAAAADDDDDY! Dean's t-ticking meeeeeeeeeeee! M-Make him st-stop!" Sam squealed with laughter as Dean got him under the arms and wiggled his fingers. Dean had concluded that now that Sammy was feeling better, he could tease him again, and what better way to torment his hypersensitive little brother than with an all-out tickle attack?

The lightning bugs flew into the air from the discarded jars, lighting up the scene of the two children rolling around in front of Bobby's porch, Sam's hysterical laughter filling the air.

Though he still ached in his side where he was stabbed, John was healed up enough that he was now able to thrust up from his chair and cross the yard to where his boys played. Joining them on the night-cooled grass, John reached out and pulled Sam into his arms, giving the boy his own measure of rib tickles. As Sam screeched and hollered, Dean leapt on his dad's back, reaching around John's neck to jab at his brother.

One arm full of his youngest, John reached around and seized Dean, pulling the boy to the ground. The three laughed together as they scuffled, unaware when Bee scampered out of the way, prancing back towards the house where Bobby sat.

Bobby grinned as he watched the trio, and when Bee pounced up into his lap, he stroked the kitten into loud purrs. "Don't blame ya none, sprite. That's more'n enough rowdiness for me too," Bobby said, forgetting he was several years younger than John was. "S'not the age, Bee. It's the mileage, and I've had my share."

The next day, around noon, there was the sound of a car pulling up in front of the house. John walked out on the porch, and saw the woman and a young girl get out, and a stab of regret pierced his heart.

Ellen.

He'd sworn the woman would never speak to him again after what had happened with Bill. If it hadn't been for Bobby, getting the two of them to talk, Ellen might still hate him, and he didn't want that. She was a good woman, a fine hunter, and he was glad that while they might not be best pals, at least they could be in the same room.

Ellen nodded at the man. "John. Bobby said you really put your foot in it. Again." From someone else, that might've sounded cruel, but the smile on Ellen's lips softened the words.

She placed her hand on the shoulder of the girl. "You remember my Jo, right?

John grinned. "Hey, Ellen. Nice to see you, Jo."

Jo nodded and asked, "Are your kids here, too? Is your little boy better now?"

John nodded. "Uh-huh, Sam's doing just fine. He and Dean are around back, helping Bobby. Well, Dean's helping, last time I looked Sam was getting licked to death by George." He stepped down and motioned the pair to join him around back.

Jo bounded ahead, leaving Ellen and John to follow behind her.

"So, John...how have you been? It's been a while," Ellen asked, looking over at the man at her side.

"D'you really want to know or just making conversation?" John replied, a measure of sarcasm filling his voice.

Ellen reached out and grabbed him by the upper arm, stopping him in his tracks. "None of that, Winchester. That's bullshit and you know it. Yeah, we've had our issues, but we got past that. Don't take that attitude with me. Not now."

Running a hand over his face, John sighed deeply. "Yeah, I know. Sorry."

"So," Ellen let a soft smile curve her generous lips. "Answer my question."

John grinned back and shrugged. "Same shit, different day, you know. Just got back from a hunt that didn't go as planned. Got hurt, but what's new, right?"

Concerned, Ellen reached up to pat his cheek. "Are you ok?"

"Actually... right now, yeah. I am actually okay. Bobby's let us stay here while Sam gets better and I..."

"Get better, too. What did Bobby do - hide the keys to your Mustang?"

"Still haven't found the damn things..." John muttered, and Ellen tossed back her head and laughed.

"Yep, that sounds just like Bobby, stubborn cuss that he is."

Chuckling softly, Ellen wrapped an arm through John's and walked with him to the back yard where Bobby stood watching the three kids. At their approach, Bobby turned their way and met them.

"Hey, darlin'," Bobby smiled and bent over to kiss Ellen on the lips.

John gaped at them. "Something you two have to tell me?"

Bobby smiled down into Ellen's eyes. "We're friends, you and I, John, but I don't tell you everything."

"Clearly."

Ellen chuckled again, and turned her attention to John. "Ok...so Bobby and I have been seeing each other for a while now. D'you have a problem with that?" She stared him down until John shrugged and turned his head.

"Nope. It's your business."

"Good to know you approve," Bobby huffed, then called out to the children who were still playing with George. The dog was in a state of bliss - so many people to play with!

"All right, ya rugrats, get over here and say hello!"

Dean looked up and gave Ellen a bright smile and a wave, which Ellen gladly returned. It did her heart good to see the young boy look so happy; he'd been so worried about his little brother.

Sam ran over as fast as his legs would carry him and stopped right in front of Ellen, who gave the adorable child a smile.

"Hi, Sam," she said, holding out her hand, "I'm Jo's mom, Ellen. It's nice to see that you're feeling better."

Sam looked at her hand, and then looked at his father. John nodded and Sam slipped him tiny hand into hers.

"Hello," he said sweetly, "are you Uncle Bobby's girlfriend? Can I call you Auntie Ellen?"

Ellen's felt her heart clench; the boy was so adorable. She reached out and ruffled his curls, and said lovingly, "'Course you can, honey. I see you boys met my Jo?"

Sam nodded his head excitedly. "Uh, huh. She's nice!"

Dean's response was less enthusiastic, but his soft smile said it all. "Yeah." He looked over at the girl standing next to her mom. "She's cool."

Jo shared a long look with Dean. She stayed silent, but smiled back at him before moving close to her mom to lean against Ellen's hips.

Sam reached out and took Jo's hand. "C'mon, I'll take you to meet 'Bee. He's the best kitty in the whole world. Me an' Dean an' Uncle Bobby take care of him, an' I'll bet he'd like you a whole lot, Jo!" Sam seemed to have forgotten all about his "girls were gross and had cooties" proclamations. Jo was instantly part of his circle; therefore, she was a friend.

The three kids trooped into the house, leaving the adults to talk about whatever it was adults talked about. Sam led the way, and soon they were looking at the puff of black and yellow fluff, curled up into a ball.

"This," Sam said proudly "is Bumblebee, but we calls him 'Bee 'cause he's still little. Isn't he neat?"

At the sound of his name, Bumblebee opened one green eye. He unwound himself and gave out with a great big yawn and a stretch as he blinked up at the boys and the girl.

Jo grinned. "Aw, he's so cute! Where'd you get him?"

Dean replied, "Sammy found him while we were playing hide and seek with Uncle Bobby in the car yard."

"Uh-huh!" Sam said smiling brightly. "He was so little bitty! But he's much bigger an' grown up now. Watch, he can do tricks!" Sam walked away from the box and held out his right hand.

"Bumblebee, c'mere! C'mere, 'Bee!"

Bumblebee jumped out of his box, and walked right over to sit in front of Sam, who scooped him up, giggling. "See? Isn't that cool?" He walked over to Jo and held the kitten out. "You wanna hold him? Bumblebee, this is Jo, an' she's very nice."

Jo was a little hesitant, but she took the kitten from Sam's hands. 'Bee looked up at her and began to purr and nuzzle her.

Dean smiled. "He likes you, too."

Jo giggled. "Why'd you name him 'Bumblebee'?" she asked.

Dean grinned, "Sam named him after the Autobot, but you probably don't know what that-"

"Sure I do," Jo retorted. "I like The Transformers, too, ya know!"

Both Winchester boys gaped.

Dean grinned. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

While the kids played with Bee in the living room, the adults sat at the kitchen table. John filled them in on the hunt he'd been on, and more details on how he was injured. During the telling, Ellen slipped a hand across the table and cupped it over John's.

"Johnny, why do you do this?" Before he had a chance to respond, Ellen continued. "I know it's about losing Mary. I get that, Lord knows I do. I know what it's like losing your spouse." She shared a brief look with Bobby, a silent I'm sorry before continuing, "But, John, it's time to let it go. It's time to stop dragging those sweet boys of yours from place to place, not giving them a home, all in your revenge over losing Mary. It's time to stop."

"I can't, El. I can't. She was my world, and I can't rest until the sonofabitch who took her from me is dead and gone."

Ellen sighed, then stood and moved to stand in from of John. "Bullshit. Those boys in there are your world. It's time to prove it to them, and to yourself."

John sighed. In his heart he knew Ellen was right - but the need to chase down that - that thing that had taken his Mary, that had robbed his family of peace, of a normal life - was still out there.

A thought struck him. It wasn't a perfect thought, but it was a start. "What if I could give them some good times? Some stable times?" He looked over at Bobby. "If you're up to it. What if the boys came here in the summer? They could learn as much from you as from me... maybe, maybe even a little more."

Bobby didn't even have to think about it. "You don't even have to ask, John. Those boys, and you, are always welcome here. You know that, so don't be an idjit. You know that's not what Ellen's sayin', though. The boys need their own home, not mine."

John nodded. "I know, but I-"

Ellen shared a look with Bobby, and he nodded. "Ok, then. It's a start. You can leave the yahoos here until you find your own place."

John gave a forced smile. It would have to be good enough. He'd do it for his boys... and for his Mary.

Later that night, after the boys were tucked in bed and Bobby was doing some research for another hunter who'd called asking for help, John wandered through the quiet house, antsy, itchy, feeling cooped up. He wanted to take a drive, but the cuss sitting in the study still hadn't handed over the keys to the Mustang.

Suddenly the shrill sound of a phone cut through the night air. John heard Bobby get up, and walk into the kitchen to answer it.

"Yeah? Don? Don Jacobs, is that you? Where the - Don, quit yellin', you idjit, I can hear you."

John grinned. Don was another hunter, and a long-winded one at that. Bobby'd be on the phone for a bit, he was sure.

Plenty of time to get into the study and find his keys.

John slipped into the room as quietly as he could. He was about to begin the search when a tiny shadow caught his eye.

Bumblebee slipped into the room, and batted at the floor rug. He flipped a corner back, and poked his little paw through a hole in the floorboards.

John grinned. The perfect spot.

He knelt down, and gently pushed 'Bee out of the way. He lifted the board, and found a hollowed out space, just small enough to hide...

John blinked. A copy of Great Expectations? He picked the book up and gave it a slight shake.

The *thunk" confirmed his suspicions. Hollow.

He opened the book, and smirked; there were his keys. He was just about to take them when he saw what else the book contained.

A box. The type that you'd put a-

He opened it, and his eyes widened.

That sly dog Singer.

He knew Ellen would say "yes" to that beautiful ring, and to the good-hearted man who was going to give it to her.

Without a sound, John placed the ring in the box, and the box in the book. He looked at the keys in his hand, then over at Bumblebee, who was staring at him intently.

John put the keys back, replaced the book and the floorboard, tucked the rug back, and picked up the kitten.

"What's a few more days, huh? You're not tired of us yet, are you?" The kitten mewled and licked John's nose.

He came out of the study, and walked into the kitchen just as Bobby was hanging up the phone.

"How that moron has been able to stay alive this long I've no idea," Bobby muttered. He looked at John holding the kitten, and was sorely tempted to bust out laughing; it made such a ridiculously cute moment.

John put 'Bee on the floor and the feline toddled off to his bed. He pulled up a chair and growled "Cards?"

Bobby smirked. "Why not? I haven't taken a sucker to school lately..."

John chuckled. "Oh, bring it on, Singer."

So, the men played cards, and two boys slept, and the world kept turning.

Life went on. A different life for some. Maybe a better one.

One thing was for sure - where the Winchesters were concerned, there was always more than meets the eye.

a/n: Thanks for reading! Please, leave feedback, ok? Let us know what you liked, and even what didn't work for you. We appreciate it.