Dean shook his head, amused. In the backseat, Hy struggled to roll the juggling ball along his arm without letting it drop. And in the front seat, Sam attempted to help by issuing instructions.

Except Sam's instructions were accompanied by helpless giggles, which, in turn, prompted Hy to dissolve into giggles, which, in turn, made the inside of the Impala sound like a preschool classroom after a cupcake party.

"Stop making me laugh!" Hy ordered, snorting as the ball fell, once again, into the wheel well.

"Sorry!" Sam replied. "You … you just look like a giraffe or something." he added, helpfully. "You're supposed to move your arm in a wave motion, not your … your neck." He dissolved into giggles again on the last word.

"Sam!" Hy tried to sound severe, but failed. He shot Sam a stern look. The older boy met it and attempted, without success, to look serious. The boys locked eyes for a minute, then looked away, exploding into laughter.

Dean shook his head. "Is this what the next three months are gonna be like?" He asked, trying to sound annoyed.

But both boys saw right through him.

"Sir, yes SIR!" Sam saluted him from the passenger seat. "Calming down, SIR!" Then he snorted again.

"Hey, bringing me along was YOUR idea." Hy added, grinning mischievously.

"Don't remind me." Dean groaned. "Hey, your dad was needed on the hunt, okay? Taking you along with us to Bobby's just made sense."

But Hy wasn't fooled. "You like me. Admit it. Everyone likes me. I'm irresistible." he crowed.

Dean tried to hide his grin. The kid had kind of grown on him in the week he'd spent in Tulsa. Besides, he was good for Sam. Suddenly his little brother had a built-in friend - someone to take his mind off all the stress and loneliness of the hunting life.

Not someone to take Dean's place though, the older boy was sure. He shot a glance at Sam to see the kid staring straight back at him and smiling in his reassuring way. Sam even shook his head almost imperceptibly.

That sixth sense was so spot-on, it was almost creepy, Dean thought, as he flipped on his headlights and made the cloverleaf for Sioux Falls. From the rear view mirror, a red Christmas tree swayed with the movement, releasing a waft of cinnamon spice.

Dean thought it smelled like home.

-THE END-

Author's Note: Gosh, thanks to everyone for sticking around for 39 chapters! You guys rock! Thanks for all your positive thoughts and encouragement. It means the world :)