The Effects of Vertigo Ch. 30

Disclaimer: See chapter one

Previously: Clicking on the television set as his boys made themselves comfortable on the couch, John couldn't help but smile knowing that it wouldn't be long before his boys were living with him officially once again.

Later that night as he lay in bed unable to sleep, John stared at the beige colored ceiling as he thought about his two grown sons sleeping just across the hall from his room. It felt so good, so right to have them at the house and he couldn't help but hope that it would stay that way. He knew now just how much he needed them in his life after having nearly lost them forever to his own freaking stupidity and he wanted nothing more than to keep them there forever.

Throwing the covers back from his muscular body after feeling a sudden urge to be near them, John pushed himself up out of the queen sized bed and pulled on a pair of jeans before quietly exiting his room. Strolling silently across the hall, he pulled in a hesitant breath before gently easing the door open to his boys' room and slipping inside. Walking over to Dean's bed first since it was closest to the door, he retrieved the blanket that had fell to the floor sometime throughout the night and draped it back over his oldest. "Sleep well son," he whispered before making his way over to Sam's bed.

Easing himself down on the edge of Sam's bed, John reached out to lightly brush a hand through his child's chestnut colored hair as he thought about everything that had went on between him and Sam in the past. Somehow, he always managed to hurt his youngest without meaning too and yet, Sam continued to forgive him for it time and time again. "I don't know how I got so lucky with you kiddo. Even after everything I've done, somehow you always find it within your heart to forgive me and I'll forever be grateful to you for that Tiger," John whispered with affection.

"It's about time you realized how lucky we are to have the kid," Dean murmured from his bed after having overheard with his father said. He had woken the minute his dad had stepped into the room but chose not to reveal that fact.

John startled slightly upon hearing his oldest son's remark since he hadn't realized that Dean was awake to hear his confession and it embarrassed him slightly to know that his so called chick flick moment had been witnessed. "Sorry Ace, I didn't mean to wake you," he apologized as he pushed himself to his feet, preparing to leave the room.

"S'okay, Dad." Dean stated with a jaw popping yawn as he scrunched his pillow beneath his head. "But next time, how about saying those words on paper when Sammy's awake to read them." Of course he knew his Dad would probably never put the words to print since the mighty John Winchester didn't do sentimental , but hey, it was worth a try anyway.

"Sure thing." John mumbled unconvincingly, before bidding his son goodnight once again and walking out the door and back to his own room to get some sleep. He wished he could be the kind of father who openly showed affection towards his children, but that father had died a long time ago.

~~SUPERNATURAL~~

Early the next morning as he was preparing breakfast for him and his boys, John was surprised by the sound of someone knocking on the front door. He knew Bobby and Caleb had went into Sioux City for the weekend to restock some of their hunting supplies, so therefore, he hadn't been expecting anybody. Removing the sausage from the frying pan, he turned off the burner and then walked through the living room, making sure to grasp the revolver from over the fireplace mantel, before answering the door. Tucking the gun into the back of his jeans before grasping the door handle, he pulled it open, surprised to find Joshua standing before him.

"Hey Josh, long time no see. So, uh, what are you doing here?" John queried, automatically scanning the outside area for any danger that might be lurking about. You could never be too careful in the presence of other hunters.

"I've got a hunt lined up that I think you'll be interested in," Josh answered, pushing past John and strolling into the house. He had heard through the grapevine about John actually buying a house and had to see for himself if the rumor was true. "Nice place you've got here."

"Thanks," John replied as he closed the door after his hunting buddy had crossed the threshold and began to look around. "Listen, about that hunt…" John's voice trailed off as he noticed his boys walking down the small hallway towards them.

Turning around to see what had captured John's attention, Joshua smiled to see the two boys he had watched grow up approaching. "Dean, Sam, it's good to see you two again," he enthused with a smile. He hadn't seen John's boys since Sam had learned of his Meniere's Disease the last time they had went on a hunt together.

"Morning Josh, what brings you here?" Dean questioned warily, before continuing on his way into the kitchen for a cup of strong black coffee to quench his need for a caffeine fix.

"Well, I stumbled on some information for a hunt recently and I thought you Winchesters would like to join me on this one because of who's involved," Josh answered succinctly before looking towards the youngest Winchester who was currently pulling a jug of milk from the refrigerator. "So what do you say Sam, you up for a hunt or is that vertigo problem of yours still bothering ya?"

"He can't hear you Josh. Sammy lost his hearing to that frigging disease a while back," John informed the hunter as he motioned for Joshua to sit down at the table to join them for breakfast.

"Wh-what?" Josh stammered, the color bleaching from his face as his eyes traveled to where Sam was now reaching for a glass from the wooden cupboard.

"It's true, Sammy can't hear anymore." Dean replied with a sigh as Sam finally walked over to the table and sat down beside him, a look of bewilderment on his younger brother's face at noticing the pale complexion that Joshua was now sporting.

"Dean?" Sam questioned, hating the fact that he was out of the loop as to what was going on.

"S'okay kiddo,' Dean replied with a thumbs up to let Sam know there was no need for worry.

Unable to ignore the words that Joshua had spoken earlier about the hunt, John knew the shit was most likely about to hit the fan, but he decided to push on anyway, "Josh, what did you mean earlier when you said you thought we'd want to join you on this hunt because of who's involved?"

"Dad…" Dean hissed in warning, his fists clenching beneath the table as he tried to rein in his anger.

"Dean, I have to know," John voiced curtly, hoping he wasn't destroying the bond he was finally rebuilding with his boys. He had a feeling he knew what Joshua was about to impart and if so, he couldn't just let it slide, not after learning the things he had over the past few months where the demon and his youngest was concerned.

Glancing awkwardly between the two Winchesters, Joshua chewed on his bottom lip as he wondered if he should say anything. He hadn't meant to cause a family conflict, but there was obviously something going on between John and Dean. Feeling like an ass for causing the strife between the two, he quickly blurted out, "I've got a lead on that yellow eyed bastard that you've been hunting for so long."

"Sonuvabitch," Dean gasped upon hearing the news while giving his father a cursory glance. He knew there was no way his dad would be able to sit this one out, and honestly, he didn't know if he would want him to either. They had spent too much of their lives in a quest to kill the demon, just to walk away from it now.

"Dad, Dean? What the hell is going on?" Sam quizzed anxiously as he glanced from one to the other after Joshua had said something that obviously put his family on edge and made them extremely nervous. He could feel the tension in the air and knew something major was going on and he wanted to know what it was.

Knowing that Sam deserved to know the truth, John pulled the notepad from his pocket and quickly jotted the information that Joshua had just relayed to them and handed it over with a little trepidation, not knowing how his baby would react after reading the news. Sammy, Josh just told us he has a lead on the demon that killed your mother and that he needs our help with the hunt.

"So, when will you and Dean be leaving for the hunt?" Sam asked, fidgeting a little at the thought of them hunting again without him. He wasn't about to be the reason why his family gave up the hunt for the yellow eyed demon that had devastated their lives so long ago.

"Wha'?" John stammered, astonished that his youngest had just given them his blessing to go after the demon.

"I know you have to go with Dad, and I'm okay with it, really I am. You can't let that demon get away with destroying our lives the way it did. You can't let him put other families through what he did to ours. I'll be okay. I'll stay at Bobby's until you two get back." Sam replied to the unheard question.

"No Sammy, I'm staying here with you," Dean retorted automatically while signing the words at the same time as best he could, unwilling to leave Sammy alone, especially when they didn't know if the demon had plans to come after Sammy again. "Dad can go if he wants to, but you're stuck with me kiddo."

"Dean, I don't know if I should right now. I mean we're just becoming a family again and I…" John said before being cut off by his son.

"No, you need to go Dad. We don't know if the demon has plans for Sammy. We can't afford to sit back on our asses and wait for it to come to us when we least expect it. You have to do this. Sammy and I will be okay. I'll make sure of it," Dean retorted immediately. "And don't worry, Sam and I will still be here when you get back."

"I…I don't know what to say," John stuttered nervously, grateful that his boys understood his need to take this demon out before it could do there family anymore harm.

"You don't have to say anything, just take care of yourself and call us when you can to let us know you're okay." Dean stated with a shrug of his shoulders. He hated that this had happened just when things were getting back to normal, but it had to be done. Watching as his father retrieved his duffle from the hallway and began to pack it with clothing and weapons, he hoped this wasn't the last time they would be seeing the man for years to come.

Finishing up his packing, John followed Joshua towards the door. Turning around to face his boys before leaving, he signed "I love you boys," before pulling them into a quick hug. It was tearing him apart to have to leave them now.

"Love you too, Dad" both boys replied in unison as they returned the hug before allowing their father to walk away. Things were going to be different now, but they would be ready to face whatever life threw their way. Afterall, they were Winchesters!

THE END Thanks to everyone who stuck with me through this story. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. I had planned on at least one more chapter, but this seemed like the perfect place to end the story.