Chapter 1

The Impala sped down the road under the experienced hands of her driver. He listened to the purring of the engine as he pressed on the gas making her go faster. There wasn't much traffic out this time of night, so he pretty much had the road to himself. The full moon shone down on them and cast the landscape in an eerie glow. He looked over at his passenger who was sleeping and smiled to himself.

Dean Winchester had met Sam Campbell when he was assigned as extra protection to keep him safe since he was the only witness to a murder that involved a Mexican drug cartel. The safe house had been attacked and Dean had taken Sam and disappeared with him. He had moved him around several times visiting family until his cousin was killed by a professional killer. That set in motion a series of events that allowed closure, revenge, and Sam being free of any backlash.

Dean did something he swore he would never do. He got close to his client and started seeing him as more than just another person he was to protect; he was like the younger brother he never had. Sam Campbell became part of his ragtag family and was accepted by his old Marine team that he kept in touch with. After the memorial service for his cousin, Mouse, Dean took Sam back to his family cabin for a break and suggested they take a road trip to see some of the country. Sam readily agreed to the idea and they took a few months to see the east coast from Maine to the Florida Keys.

After getting back to Austin, where they lived, Dean convinced Sam to move in with him and give up that small, drab, depressing apartment he was living in. Since Sam didn't have much material things, Dean had him moved in in no time. It was a perfect solution to a bad situation in Dean's mind and he enjoyed the company.

He had gotten a call late last night that Maverick's wife, Sarah, had gone into labor, so they packed up and headed out to be there for the birth. At least he hoped so. Dean didn't know how long she would be in labor, but hoped they would get there before the big event. Dean was driving all night to get there. He planned on hanging around for a few days to visit with the others who were heading there too and then Sam and him were going to head out west and check out the country.

spn

"Hey bro...Wanna wake up?" Dean called to Sam giving his leg a shake.

"Wh..." Sam groaned, slipping up in his seat and rubbing his eyes as he looked around and yawned.

"We're almost to Maverick's place, thought you'd wanna get woke up." he replied as Sam shook his body and cleared his throat. He grabbed his water and took a few sips to wet his dry mouth.

"Have you heard anything else from Maverick?"

"Yeah, got a text about fifteen minutes ago that Sarah's getting close to delivery so we may make it in time."

"I can't believe she's doing a home delivery."

"Maverick said her doctor said it was okay, she was healthy, the baby was turned, and she has a midwife there for the delivery."

"She must be one brave woman. Deliveries are not an easy thing, sometimes the mother can be in labor for twenty-fours or longer and other times only a few. Each pregnancy is different with each woman."

"Well at least we'll have a doctor there if things get complicated."

"I'm not a full doctor yet."

"Close enough."

"I picked up a few things for the baby last month from both of us."

"I'm sure they'll appreciate whatever you got. That was thoughtful."

"We're family and like you've always said, family looks out for each other."

"Damn straight."

spn

The house loomed in the headlights as Dean pulled up the driveway and parked behind a couple of other cars. They got out and headed for the door where Dean ran the bell. Movement could be heard inside and the door was opened by Nitro.

"Gunny, Sam!" she greeted happily. "You made it!"

"Hi Ni, how's Sarah doing?" Dean asked giving her a shoulder and fist bump.

"Hey Nitro." Sam said shyly as he stood slightly behind Dean.

"C'mere kid." she insisted pulling him into a hug before pushing him back to look at him. "Well it doesn't look like rooming with Gunny has had any lasting side effects." she commented. "At least you've put on a little weight since the last time I saw you. You still working out?"

"It's going pretty good." Sam told her smiling at her comment. "And yeah, I'm still working out just about every day."

"Have the others got here?" Dean asked looking around.

"Storm sent a text ten minutes ago, they're less than thirty minutes out." she told him. "Maverick's with Sarah and the midwife said it will be any time now. She's fully dilated and I think the head..."

"Ni! Please TMI." Dean protested not wanting to hear the details holding his hands up in protest.

Dean and Sam looked toward the hall when a scream echoed up it. They looked at each other with unsure expressions on their faces and looked to Nitro for help.

"It's okay, she's been doing that. Birthing is painful and she's doing it naturally." she assured them. "Maverick is more frazzled than Sarah. I've never seen him this close to loosing it." she giggled.

"He's tough, he'll make it through it, he's a Marine." Dean stated with confidence.

"I'm sure all three will be okay." Sam added.

"Want something to eat or drink? We have plenty. I made a supply run yesterday to be sure there'd be enough food and drinks for everyone and Maverick wouldn't have to worry about it."

"Coffee?" Dean asked.

"Got a pot already made." she said. "Take a seat in the family room and I'll bring you a cup. Sam would you like something?"

"I'm good right now, but if you'll point me toward a bathroom..."

"It's off the kitchen, c'mon I'll show you." she said leading him into another room.

Dean moved into the family room and sat down on the couch looking around. They had just bought the house right after getting married and Dean hadn't seen it yet. It was homey and comfortable looking. He looked up when Nitro came back with a cup of coffee and sat down beside him. A few minutes later Sam joined them taking a seat in an overstuffed chair across from the couch and got comfortable.

spn

The three talked quietly among themselves, catching up as they listened for sounds from the bedroom down the hall. They all stopped talking when Maverick walked slowly in the room holding a small bundle in his arms. They stood up and waited for him to join them.

"Gunny, I'm glad you made it," Maverick said smiling happily as he looked up at them.

"Wouldn't have missed it bro," Dean said patting his shoulder and looking at the little miracle.

"Meet Dean Hunter Stoneman," he said with pride laying the bundle into Dean's arms.

Dean looked at him in surprise and then down into the tiny face of his namesake. As if sensing the attention, baby Dean rolled his head and opened his eyes to look up into Dean's wet ones. He stared into his face for a moment before stretching, smiling and yawning like he knew he was in the arms of someone who would be his protector, his friend and his confidant. Baby Dean settled back down with a grunt and went back to sleep.

"I'm speechless Maverick, this is a great honor indeed and he will always have my support and love," Dean told Maverick as he fought the tears. He cleared his throat and swallowed the lump in it so he could talk.

"Look at that head of hair," Nitro commented as she looked at the child in his arm. "He's going to be a looker."

"Thank goodness he looks like Sarah," Dean teased looking up at Maverick who was giddy.

"Tell me about it," Maverick laughed as he slumped slightly letting all the stress and worry drain from him now that the birth was over with and Sarah and the baby were both fine.

"How's Sarah doing?" Nitro asked.

"She's tired and worn out, but doing okay. The midwife is cleaning her up and changing the linen. She's one tough cookie, as strong as any Marine."

"Here Uncle Sammy, your turn," Dean insisted turning to Sam who was still standing nearby.

"No, no..I...I..." Sam stammered but accepted the bundle from Dean being extra careful with his precious cargo.

"Be sure to support his head," Nitro instructed as she watched Sam stiffen as he held the baby. "Why don't you sit down Sam?" she suggested thinking he might feel more comfortable with the baby.

"You two did good dude," Dean told Maverick as he clapped him on the back. "That is one cute kid."

"Man it was all Sarah...She was a trooper through it all. About broke my hand a couple of times when the labor pains were so bad," he chuckled rubbing his hand absently.

They looked toward the door when someone knocked and Maverick went to answer it.

"The gangs all here," Shadow announced loudly as he and Storm strolled in.

"Not so loud," Sam cautioned as he gently bounced baby Dean when he jerked in his arms with the surprised noise.

"I see we made it just in time," Storm whispered peeking at the newborn Sam was holding. "Look how little he is. His fingers are so tiny."

"Guys, meet Dean Hunter Stoneman," Maverick told them with pride. "We decided to name him after Gunny since he's the reason I made it back in one piece and kept me sane all that time."

"Cool," Shadow said slapping Dean on the back. "You couldn't have chose a better name."

"I think he wants his Momma," Sam said as baby Dean's face puckered up and he let out a small whine and stiffened.

"Ni, wanna take him back to Sarah for me?" Maverick asked.

"No problem," she said accepting the baby from Sam who sighed with relief. He didn't have many dealings with babies and was afraid of doing something wrong.

"This calls for a toast to the new Dad," Storm said draping an arm around Maverick's shoulders.

"I have beers in the fridge," he said leading them all to the kitchen.

"You look rough bro. I thought Sarah was doing all the hard work," Shadow teased as Maverick handed out beers.

"You should have seen me when the first real contraction hit, I 'bout hit the floor," Maverick laughed. "I never knew it could be so intense and hurt like hell."

"To the new Dad and his new family," Storm said holding his beer up.

"Ooo-rah!" the others but Sam said as they clicked their beers together.

"So what have you two been doing since we last saw you?" Shadow asked innocently and frowned when Dean shook his head no with a look of fright on his face.

"Oh man it's been unbelievable! A dream of a lifetime," Sam started standing in front of the three Marines while Dean hung back and just watched. "You know we started out in Maine and worked our way done to the Keys. We kayaked off the Delaware coast, talk about intense...We stopped in Vermont at a maple syrup farm and watched them tap the trees, even bought some real maple syrup, once you have that you'll never use anything else. After visiting the Hershey plant and sampling all that chocolate, man I don't think I want any more for a long time. Dean even found a Civil War battle re-enactment in Virginia that was really interesting. They even had muskets and swords and dressed like they did during that time. We spent nearly two weeks in DC checking out all the sites, the Smithsonian buildings, museums, battlefields, monuments. It was really humbling to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Arlington Cemetery. We even went on a tour of the White House...And then we detoured over to Nashville, that place rocked..." Sam droned on hardly taking a breath as the three looked helplessly at Dean to save them, but he just shook his head and smirked and enjoyed the show.

"Does he have an off switch?" Shadow mumbled under his breath.

"I wish," Storm whispered back.

"Is he always like this?" Maverick asked since he hadn't been around Sam that much.

"Nope," they answered.

Sam was oblivious to their comments as he continued. "We toured battle ships on the coasts of North and South Carolina. Don't think I'd wanna be stuck at sea on one that's for sure. If you ever get to Georgia you have to check out Stone Mountain and the laser light show they do at night. It was so...Out of this world...When they had the Civil War generals riding horses off the rock...It looked so real. We even rode bicycles out on the lake. They had these little pontoons on the side and you just pedaled it around out there. I don't know which I liked best Charleston or Savannah, both were amazing and the places we found to eat. I bet I gained ten pounds," he laughed but didn't stop talking. "Do you know how big the alligators get in the Okeefenokee Swamp? Man they were as big as the canoe we were in. I just knew one was coming in after me. It may have been childish, but we went to Universal Studios and Sea World in Florida and The Keys were the best. I snorkeled and Dean almost got bit by an eel and a clown fish fell in love with him and wouldn't leave him alone. It was hilarious. I've got tons of pictures I can show you..." he rambled pulling out his cell. "And our last stop was to see Charlie, the computer geek that helped us out. She invited us to do some LARPing with her. It was really fun and our side won the battle. We even wore authentic clothes from that time and no I did not wear tights, but you should of seen Dean dressed like Brave Heart. I can show you some photos..." he trailed off scrolling through his cell to find the right photos.

"No, no that's alright, I'm sure Nitro wouldn't want to miss seeing them," Shadow begged hoping to get him to stop talking. This was the most he had ever heard Sam talk since he had met him. It seemed it was a good thing that Dean took him under his wing and befriended him. He had changed since the last time he saw him and all for the better. All of them thought of him as their little brother now and treated that way.

"Wouldn't want to miss seeing what?" Nitro asked catching the end of the conversation. "Maverick, the midwife is getting ready to leave and wanted to know if you had any questions for her."

"I have hundreds and they all seemed to have slipped my mind. I better go talk with her," he said hurrying away. "You guys can decide the sleeping arrangements; day bed in nursery and queen in the other room. There's blankets and pillows in linen closet, just make yourself at home," he called before disappearing.

"I have photos of our road trip if you'd like to see them," Sam said acting like a little kid wanting to show off the A on his report card.

"What say we save that until tomorrow? I think everyone's had a long night and could use some sleep," she suggested to seeing Shadow and Storm mouthing 'thank you' behind Sam's back. She wasn't sure what was happening, but would find out later.

"Why don't you take the daybed Ni and we'll figure out the rest?" Dean offered taking control like he usually did.

"Hey, I'm fine with sleeping anywhere."

"Just like old times Gunny," Shadow commented. "Sleep where ever there's space."

"Couch okay with you Sammy?" Dean asked. "The guys can have the bedroom."

"Yeah, it's fine," Sam nodded stowing his cell back in his pocket much to the guy's relief.

"We'll have to share one bathroom, so who wants it first?"

"Ladies first," Storm said bowing to Nitro.

"I won't be long, see you guys in the morning," she told them turning to leave. "And no rough housing out here. Don't need to disturb the new momma and baby Dean."

"Yes ma'am," they said snapping to attention and saluting her, all but Sam at first and then he followed suit.

"God help me, I'm staying with immature teenagers," she groaned rolling her eyes and walking away.

"You wanna go get our bags Sammy?" Dean asked tossing the keys his way.

"Sure, no problem," he said catching them and heading for the front door.

"I gotta say Gunny, that's not the same kid you came back to what has it been almost five months now?" Shadow said quietly where Sam wouldn't hear.

"Yeah, he's finding himself and learning to live a little."

"Don't think I'll ask about your road tripping again, that's for sure."

"Don't worry he has hundreds of photos and a story for each one," Dean snickered when Shadow made a horrified face.

"Let the kid have some fun. He deserves it," Storm said thinking of how things could have turned out.

A/N: Thank you to any who decided to give my story a chance. This is the second non-spn story with the same characters as before. VegasGranny, I hope you enjoy the read. I do like reviews, please leave one if you can. NC