Chapter One:

Dean turns to look at his young friend who is walking along side of him towards his house. He cannot help but nudge him on the arm to make him at least notice that he was being looked at; it was rewarded, the gesture. Sam turns to him with his pale face; forcing Dean to ruffle his hair affectionately the sake of connection and hopes of making the boy feel at ease somehow.

"Sam, are you at least breathing?" he asks with a chuckle.

"Dean, I feel really scared." Sam says in almost a whisper which made the older boy stop walking the same time the kid took a pause halfway up the walkway. "What if your mom..or DAD doesn't like me and...and they ask you to stay away from me? What if they ask you to do that, Dean? Just like my dad asked me to do..."

"Easy, Sam!" Dean says with a big lop-sided smile on his face, "We'll run away!"

"Not funny, Dean..." Sam whines softly as his face went crestfallen and his gaze falling away from the older boy. Dean just found this worth musing fondly to. "I don't think this is a good idea after all..." his voice trails off.

"Hey I was kidding!" Dean takes the boy by the chin and makes him meet his face, "My mom and dad aren't like that, alright? They're awesome people! And you----" he goes on, "--you're like a really adorable little hamster and my mom loves those things." he chuckles when he saw Sam make a face at him for the hamster comment. "Sammy, they'd be crazy not to like you -- or love you for that matter? And I am sure that's unlikely to happen. I mean, would you look at me, for crying out loud!" he says, "So, stop worrying alright? Now come on? She hates it when I'm late for dinner...or not showing up for dinner like the last time."

"It was when you went to that party that time, right?" Sam asks as they both resume walking towards the house, with Dean wrapping an arm around his shoulders this time.

"Mmhm." Dean replies, shaking his head all disgusted at the recollection of said memory. "You have no idea how much I hated that night, kiddo. I still do actually."

"You had a really a bad time at the party, huh?" Sam emphatically says while standing in front of Dean at the porch.

"It didn't have anything to do with the party at all, Sam." Dean says, "I was such an asshole to you that time. I ruined everything between us."

"But we're okay again now, Dean." Sam says with a warm smile on his face. "I think that's what really important."

"Yeah," Dean nods, mimicking the smile on Sam's face, "...I think that's what's important too."

"You really think it's alright if I stayed with you til my grandpa gets back?" Sam asks.

"Sam, not even when he gets back on Saturday. I don't want you to leave anymore." Dean replies, "I want you to live here with us."

"I'd love that, Dean." Sam says, his face breaking into the happiest smile Dean has seen on the kid, ever. "I wish I could."

"I wish that more than anything right now, Sam---" Dean started to say only the front door opens and his mom's warm, smiling, gentle face pops out next; cutting the conversation between them just then altogether. But it was such a welcome interruption; cause looking at Sam's reaction to the hug he was wrapped around in by Mary, it was a priceless feeling for Dean.

He can't be any prouder of his mom and or any happier for Sam.

Three beats later, as he stood there eyeing the hug...after clearing his throat, which made Mary and Sam turn to look at him for,

"I think that's enough for now, don't you think so, mom?" Dean says, widening his eyes for emphasis. Mary could just chuckle as she pulled away from Sam; taking the kid's face in both hands---she plants a warm soft kiss on the tip of his nose.

"I think somebody is jealous, sweetie." Mary says to Sam of Dean.

"You're damn right I'm jealous!" Dean says, "I mean darn, DARN jealous, mom." he corrected himself after he saw his mom about to scold him for using a potty word just then. "Sorry."

"Sweetie I wanted for you to stay in the guestroom down the hall but Dean says he's too lazy to have to go down there every time he needs to check on you. So...you're gon'na have to bunk in with him here. The bed is big enough anyways." Mary says, referring to Dean's room where they are in at the moment.

"Or I can always sleep on the couch, Sam." Dean offers.

"Right, or Dean can always sleep on the couch should you not feel comfortable sleeping on the same bed together. Either way, just tell us what you want, sweetie." Mary added. "I hope you don't mind, staying here?"

Sam's eyes went from Mary's to Dean's who was leaning against the doorway, with arms folded across his chest and observing them from where he was.

"I don't mind, Mrs. Winchester." Sam replies politely. "And I really appreciate you and Mr. Winchester for taking me in til my grandpa gets back from his job."

"Call me, Mary. Sweetheart." Mary warmly says while giving Sam a hug. "Or Aunt Mary...and you are soo welcome, Sam." she added while pulling away. And then she goes about towards the door. "Dean, baby---I'll just grab some extra blankets and towel for Sam to use. You make him feel at home, okay?"

"Gladly, Mary." Dean replies. Mary gasps to the title as she was gently shoved out the door by her boy.

"What? Sam can call you Mary and I can't?" Dean spat innocuously, Sam could just chuckle in the background. "That's a bit unfair, don't you think, lady?"

Mary could just respond with a nose wrinkle as she started to walk away down the hall to the supplies closet. Dean, after calling down the hall after her how much he loves him and after Mary responds with how much she loves him back--that's when he closes the door after him. He caught Sam standing in the middle of the room, looking around with his eyes.

"You okay?" Dean asks.

"Dean, your mom is really awesome!" Sam says.

"I told yah!" he replies.

"I think I love her already!" the kid added, "But only if it's okay with you if I do." he finishes warily.

"Sam, as long as somewhere in there--that means you love me too? Then it's okay with me kiddo!" Dean says while shrugging out of his jacket and propping himself on the swivel. "You love me too, right?" he asks with a grimace, "Cause this would be really awkward for me if you don't, Sammy."

Sam chuckles.

"Yeah, it would." he says in between chuckles.

"So, which is it?" Dean says, looking at the kid with arched brows, "You do or you don't?"

When Sam was about to respond, a knock on the door interrupts them. And this time, it was John Winchester standing in the doorway after Dean went to get it. Dean walks alongside his young friend and gently ushers him towards his dad, not removing his hands on either of Sam's shoulder as he did so.

"Big daddy, this is the kid I was talking to you about." Dean says proudly of Sam, "Sam Winchester." he added, "Say hi, dad!" he says which John purses his cheeks to his son for before he extends his hand towards Sam. Leaning in to Sam's ear, Dean whispers his introduction of his dad to the boy. "Meet my dad, Sam."

Sam, nervously takes the senior Winchester's hand in his.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Winchester,sir." Sam says, "Really, really nice to meet you." he politely added.

John immediately falls in love with the boy.