Deans' head was fuzzy, and throbbing. Someone was gently patting his face and calling his name gently. He slowly opened his eyes and was met by a pair of concerned chocolate brown ones,

"Hey kid, you with me?'' Dean frowned and nodded, it would seem that his voice was still lost somewhere inside of him, Jacks concern grew at the young man's silence, he hadn't actually heard him speak since Thor had given them all the news,

"Come on Dean, talk to me, you okay?'',

"Yeah, m'fine'' he mumbled "What happened?'' he asked getting to his feet, he stumbled and Jack placed a steadying arm around him and lead him to the chamber to sit down,

"Thor, you gotta get some chairs if you're having company over'' Jack suggested, the commander blinked at him and pressed a button on his console, seats appeared and the men took them gratefully.

Sam was hovering by Jacks side wanting to see his brother,

"Dean man, you okay?''

"M'fine Sammy'' he said tiredly "Someone want to tell me what happened or do I gotta ask twenty questions?''

"You fainted'' Daniel supplied helpfully, Dean glared at the archaeologist,

"Dude I don't faint'' he said a slight touch of irritation to his gruff voice, Daniel rolled his eyes and waved his hand in front of him,

"Fine, you passed out then''

"I did?'' Dean asked frowning; John knelt at the side of him and gently pulled his chin so Dean was looking in his eyes,

"Okay Dean, what's going through that head of yours?''

"Nothing'' Dean mumbled, a sure sign that something was in fact bothering the young hunter,

"Dean, I know something's bothering you'', Dean tried to lower his gaze but with John holding tight to his chin he couldn't, and his dad's gaze felt like it was piercing into his mind seeing all the insecurities that the revelation had brought,

"Dean?'' John asked again gently, Deans shoulders that had been tense as a bow slumped in defeat,

"Why me? What's so special about me? I'm nothing, I'm not clever like Sammy, I'm pathetic'', John let go of Deans chin stunned and sat back on his haunches,

"What?'' he whispered, Dean looked to John and gestured to himself,

"Look at me da...John. I'm nothing, I'm weak, simple minded and easy to leave, so why in the hell would anyone, let alone a fuckin' alien want me? You and Sammy didn't, you both left''

"Dean, I didn't leave you, I just went to school'' Sam said gently "And you're not stupid, who made you think that?'', Dean's eyes suddenly seemed to become as cold as glaciers, and he looked to his brother and father with accusing eyes,

"You did, you both did. It was always Dean you're so dumb, Dean why can't you be as smart as your brother, Dean you're useless, Dean you're incompetence nearly got your brother killed. Watch out for Sammy, keep your brother safe! WELL WHAT ABOUT ME? WHO KEPT ME SAFE? WHO LOOKED OUT FOR ME? And now, now that you find that your trained pit bull isn't yours anymore you suddenly want me?! Well fuck that, and fuck you, fuck you both'' he stood abruptly, and walked over to the commander, who was still at his console staring intently at Deans DNA,

"Hey, erm, Thor'' the small Azgard peered up at him, "Can you get me outta here, I need to get out of here''

"I need to complete the tests Dean Winchester; there are some other factors here that I need to investigate. I have already informed the other Azgard of Loki's meddling in your genetic makeup, and we are looking for him, to get the answers you require'' Dean scowled, and looked at the commander and then the console he was stood at,

"Fine, you won't help me, then I'll do it myself'' he moved Thor out of his way gently and looked at the console intently,

"Dean, get away from there, you don't know what you're doing'' John admonished, Jack and Dean gave him the same irritated and pissed off luck, then a certain sense of understanding came into Deans eyes as if he'd just worked out a particularly interesting puzzle, he smirked,

"I think I got it covered, beam me down Scotty'' he pressed a button and disappeared.

He reappeared in Bobby Singers salvage yard, and grinned to himself, all he'd really been thinking about was a safe haven, somewhere he could sort out his muddled thoughts, where no-one would pressure him to talk, or feel. He still couldn't believe that he'd said all that, he hadn't meant to say anything, had meant to do his usual and bury those repressed hurt feelings deep inside himself never to see the light of day. But of course Dean Winchesters life never worked out that way, and he never had been one to adhere to the rules. Walking slowly up to Bobby's door he knocked tentatively, he suddenly remembered why they hadn't seen Bobby in a while, almost a year in fact, and then he had threatened to fill both he and his father with buck shot.

Bobby answered the door, and was more than surprised to see Dean stood there looking extremely uncomfortable, he hadn't seen the boy since he'd gone to fill his pig headed father with buck shot, John Winchester just brought out that in him, and lord knew the young hunter needed protecting from his drill sergeant of a father.

"Hey Bobby'' he mumbled "I know I'm probably the last person you wanna see, but I need a place to crash, just for a couple of days'', Bobby looked in concern at the young hunter,

"You okay boy? Is it your daddy? Is Sammy okay?'', Deans fragile walls, that he had so desperately been trying to hold together crumbled and he sunk down to his knees, his body shaking with gut wrenching sobs. Few things shocked Bobby Singer, he'd seen many things that most people only either saw in movies or their darkest nightmares, but the sight in front of him now, Of Dean Winchester sobbing as if his heart was broken had him frozen to the spot, he didn't know what to do, but he needn't have worried as instinct seemed to take over and he found himself on his own knees with his arms wrapped around the young man.

It took him nearly 40 minutes to move them both into the overcrowded living room, and seated on the sunken couch, he kept his arm wrapped tightly around the young hunter, the sobbing had stopped, but he was hiccupping in shaky breaths,

"You wanna tell me what's happened son?'', Dean looked up at the man he'd classed as a father since the day he'd met him when he was 5 years old. It had been a mixture of Bobby and his baby brother that had gotten the tiny boy speaking again, but all those memories, his mom, his life up to now, was a complete and total lie, and Dean felt lost, and alone. He told Bobby everything; at this point in time he couldn't care less if it ended up with him being tossed into jail or not, how much worse could his already screwed up life get?

Bobby sat in stunned silence for the second time that day, and gaped at the young hunter, he just couldn't believe it,

"So let me get this straight. Your daddy ain't your daddy, some Colonel in the U.S air force is, and he thought you were dead, because an alien messed about with you?'', Dean ran a tired hand down his face and nodded,

"Yeah that's the gist of it''

"You hit your head on something son?'', Dean laughed but it held no humour,

"I really wish that were the case Bobby, but it isn't. Dad...I mean John isn't my dad, and Sammy isn't my brother, this alien, this Loki, he messed about with my DNA and Thor the other alien he and his band of merry men are trying to find him to get some answers. I do have Winchester DNA, it's a perfect replica of Sam's', but my main'' his used air quotes to emphasise the word main "DNA is O'Neill. I just don't know who the hell I am any more'', he looked to Bobby, looking so lost, so young and vulnerable that Bobby wanted nothing more than at that moment to introduce the whole damn lot of them to his shotgun.

"Now you listen to me Dean Matthew Winchester'', Dean flinched at his name but looked to Bobby all the same "I know exactly who you are. You're an intelligent, strong capable man, with a heart bigger than he's willing to let on. You're a damn fine hunter and I would gladly have you covering my six anytime, and I don't care about DNA, family don't end in blood boy'', Dean swallowed heavily, his eyes brimming with tears again, he gave a watery smile,

"Thanks Bobby'' he said softly, his voice wavering with emotion, the older man wiped his own suspiciously wet eyes and gripped Deans shoulder tighter,

"Go on now, you need some rest, you look like shit'', Dean laughed and stood up, smiling gratefully to his old friend,

"Thanks Bobby, for everything'', Bobby snorted and readjusted his trucker cap,

"Go on git, you know where your room is'' Dean nodded gratefully and headed to the room he'd shared many times with his brother, he smiled as a few happy memories came to him, chasing Sam around the bed, tickling him till he couldn't breathe, helping him with his homework before he started his own. He felt exhausted and slipped his jacket from his shoulders and climbed onto the bed fully clothed. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Insults were flying all over the ship, Jack was cursing John, John was cursing Jack, Danny was cursing both Jack and John, Thor was watching as if the whole scene was something to learn and finding it highly interesting. And Sam? Well Sam's temper was slowly simmering away, it had been since Dean had worked out how to work the alien device and disappeared, the arguing and thinly veiled insults were about to send the youngest Winchester over the edge,

"SHUT THE FUCK UP ALL OF YOU!'' he screamed, the room went silent "DEAN IS MISSING, WHO IN THE HELL KNOWS WHERE DEAN'S GOT TOO, HE COULD BE ANYWHERE AND YOU GUYS ARE HAVING A PISSING CONTEST!'', he rounded on the Azgard "Thor'' he asked lowering his voice "Can you find my brother? Please?'', the Azgard nodded and after pressing a few buttons he told them that Dean was safe and well and in South Dakota,

"Bobby'' both Winchesters said, Sam glared at his father

"You are staying here, I'm going to go talk to my brother, alone'' he said pointedly looking at the three older men, Jack sighed heavily and nodded

"Just make sure he's okay'', Sam nodded and gave a slight smile, there was no denying how much Jack cared for his brother, loved him even,

"I will. Can you send me to him please Thor?''

"I will, and while you are speaking with Dean Winchester we will join in the search for Loki''

"Thanks man'' he said gratefully, Daniel stepped forwards, unsure of if he should voice his opinion on the matter,

"What is it Danny?'' Jack asked, the archaeologist stepped up to Jack,

"Maybe you should go with him too Jack, you need to talk and it's obvious that he needs reassurance right now. He's just found out that his whole life is a lie, and he's probably confused, he needs you'',

"Can you hold that thought Thor, Danny's right, I need to talk to my son'', John scowled,

"If you're going then so am I. Deans just as much my boy as he is yours, and I need to have a word with that boy myself''. Sam huffed,

"Why? So you can yell at him? He doesn't need that right now dad'',

"Don't tell me what your brother needs Samuel, I need to make him see he was never and has never been a disappointment to me'', Jack rolled his eyes,

"Fine, we'll all go for crying out loud, now can you two ladies stop bickering so we can actually go and see Dean before I retire?!''.

Daniel opted to stay behind with Thor in the end, and after being face to face with the business end of a shot gun he was glad he had. The gruff man that was pointing it at them was glaring daggers at John,

"You gotta lotta nerve coming here Winchester'', John held his hands up in supplication, and tried not to let his irritation show,

"I just wanna see Dean Bobby'' he said quietly, Bobby stared at John,

"And what makes yer think he's here?'' he groused,

"You're not helping Bobby'' John ground out through clenched teeth, Jack could already see were this was going to end up, and it wasn't anywhere pretty or helpful, so taking a deep breath and stepping forward slowly, he kept his hands raised showing he was no threat,

"Sir '' Bobby turned to O'Neill, the shot gun never wavering from his grip, "I'm Colonel Jack O'Neill, I just want to make sure that my so....that Dean's okay'', Bobby assessed the man in front of him,

"Yeah, well like I said Dean ain't here, I ain't seen him since I last saw you John'' Bobby said stubbornly,

"Please Bobby, I just wanna know if he's okay'' Sam said "He was so upset, I just wanna make sure he's okay that's all I...that's all we want. Please?'', Sam turned on his puppy eyes knowing that no-one could ever refuse them, and Bobby was no different. The older hunter nodded and allowed them entry,

"Okay fine, yer can see him. But I'm warning yer all right now, if anyone of yer upset that boy further an it won't be aliens or whatever the hell you gotta worry about, I'll kill yer myself. He's resting right now, he looked like death warmed over, so I suggest yer all do the same. You can talk to him in the morning''. With that he left them in the living room to sort out their own sleeping arrangements.

The next morning Dean made his way sleepily to the kitchen in search of caffeine, he didn't see anyone until the sweet hot fluid hit his system and it was Jacks amused grin that he saw first. Unsure as to whether he was seeing things or not he sleepily rubbed his eyes and looked again. Jack was amused by how young and innocent Dean looked, his hair sticking up in all directions making him look far younger than his 23 years, Dean frowned then peered into his mug,

"Hey Bobby, I think you need to change your coffee filter man I'm seeing things here, or did someone drop LSD in the water supply again?'', Jack chuckled

"I'm really here kid'', Dean frowned and drank some more of the dark brew,

"Why are you here?'', Jack approached slowly and poured himself a cup, he gestured to one of the kitchen seats,

"Mind if I sit?'' he asked, Dean shrugged and curled both of his hands around the mug, "I just wanna talk Dean, we got a lot to talk about''

"Such as?'', Jack sighed, Dean wasn't going to make this easy, his defences were back up and at full force,

"About me being your dad'', Dean shifted his eyes to the side and glanced at Jack "Look kid, I know this has been anything but easy on you, and I know you don't wanna hear this right now, but I love you, I've always loved you, and whether your names Dean or Charlie you'll always be my son. We can just be friends if that's what you'd prefer, but I'd like the chance to get to know you, and I want..'' he took a deep breath to control his emotions "I want you to know that if I'd have thought for one minute that you were still alive out there somewhere, there is nothing, and I mean nothing that would have kept me from finding you. And when Thor does find Loki I'm gonna tear the little grey bastard apart with my own hands'', Dean swallowed, Jacks words had touched him, the thought that Jack wanted him, had and would always want him made him feel special and loved, he remembered that about Jack, remembered the cocoon of love he'd always been blanketed in. Everyone deserved a second chance, and whether he wanted it or not Jack was family, and family was everything,

"So you still support that crap ball team the twins?'', they could even hear Jacks laughter outside.

John and Sam on hearing the laughter exchanged a relieved look; they only hoped that Dean would be so welcoming with them. John had decided that he would talk to his son next, he entered the kitchen to see O'Neill and Dean talking quietly, Dean was chuckling at something Jack was telling him about, something to do with Danny becoming a caveman, John shook his head and softly spoke,

"Dean, can I have a word please?'', it wasn't how his father had asked him, it was the please that made Dean nod his head, he looked to Jack who placed a warm hand on his shoulder,

"You want me to stay?'' Jack asked him asked quietly; Dean smiled gratefully but shook his head,

"No, it's okay, I'll be okay'', Jack nodded and gave John a pointed look, it said 'upset him again and I'll bury you', John had no doubt that he would, so he nodded his head and went to sit at the table. Dean tensed up and stared into his empty mug,

"You want another cup?'' John asked nodding to the cup, Dean nodded,

"Yeah thanks'', cups filled the two Winchesters sat at the table in silence, John tried a few times to speak, but was no wiser as to what to say, he ran a hand over his face and sighed heavily. Dean briefly glanced to his father then looked back to his cup as if it held all the answers to life's problems,

"So'' John began, Dean once again looked to his father, and waited patiently for him to continue "I...I want you know some things Dean''

"What like?'' Dean asked quietly, he looked far younger than his 23 years, his green eyes watching his father intently, John smiled softly,

"About how much of a screw up I am. I put far too much on your shoulders Dean, made you grow up too fast. Your mom would be so disappointed in me. You took care of me and your brother and you never complained, not once, you patched me up after hunts and you would always put your hand on my shoulder and tell me it was going to be okay, you shouldn't have had to that Dean, I should have been doing that for you'',

"Why are you saying this to me?'' Dean asked, his voice shaking slightly,

"Because I was never disappointed in you Dean, never, it was me who was the disappointment, I am so proud of you, you're a good strong intelligent man'' Dean snorted in disbelief "No Dean you are. I didn't praise you enough, didn't see what I'd done to you. I know that...I know that biologically you aren't my son, but you always will be in here'' he said patting his chest just above his heart "I don't really care what the DNA says, to me you're a Winchester and always will be'', Dean stared at the man he knew to be his father,

"Christo'' he muttered, John gave a bitter smile

"It's really me Dean'' he said gently and cupped the younger man's face, Dean leant into the touch and searched his father's face, he nodded slowly and gave a hesitant smile,

"Okay'' he whispered "Thanks dad'', John pulled him into a strong embrace and just held his son close to him, relishing the contact,

"Your brother wants to talk to you too'' he murmured into his hair, Dean huffed,

"That's going to be a fun conversation, can't I just skip it'', John chuckled and shook his head in the negative,

"Sorry son, but you know your brother, best to just get it out of the way now''

"Oh God, he's going to bring out the puppy eyes isn't he?'' Dean said fondly, John grinned and ruffled his hair,

"You can bet the impala on that one son'', Dean managed to look disgusted,

"Never, she's my girl'', John smiled, Dean had always had a unhealthy love for the classic car, but it was something that John could give his boy that meant something to the both of them. John had a feeling that things still weren't perfect between them, and he thought that maybe they never would be, he'd made too many mistakes, but for now things were back as they once had been, and that was good enough for him. He went out to his youngest and nodded to him, and watched as Sam took off at a run towards his brother.

When Sam entered the kitchen Dean was leaning against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed over his chest, he looked up and smiled slightly when Sam skidded to a stop in the kitchen doorway, he raised a brow, and smirked,

"In a hurry Sammy?'', his brother blushed and walked into the kitchen at a slower pace,

"Are you okay Dean?'', Dean smiled,

"Yeah Sam, I'm fine'', Sam as expected pulled out the puppy eyes and looked to his brother pleadingly,

"I'm sorry Dean, I...I didn't mean to hurt you ever'', Dean sighed and opened his arms, sometimes his brother was such a girl, Sam went willingly and folded himself into his brothers embrace,

"You didn't Sam, I'm proud of you. You done good kid, full ride to Stanford? that's not something to sniff at I just didn't want to be ignored, but I get it, I do'', Sam stood back and looked to his brother, his hero, though he'd never tell him that,

"You do?'' he asked, Dean nodded,

"Sure I do. You wanted to find your own space, spread your wings and all that shit, just wish, you hadn't cut me out of your life like you had, but I understand''

"I'm sorry'', the youngest Winchester muttered into his chest, Dean ruffled his hair,

"It's forgotten Sammy, besides, you didn't want your older, hotter brother taking all those tasty co-eds off you huh?'', Sam huffed out a laugh and shook his head fondly, then his eyes turned serious,

"You always will be you know'', Dean swallowed hard and looked to his brother "You'll always be my pain in the ass older brother, no matter what'',

"And you'll always be a whiny little bitch'', Sam's lips twitched,

"Jerk'', he said fondly. They shared a smile, Sam grinned wide, his dimples deep in his tan cheeks; Dean narrowed his eyes,

"What?'' he asked sceptically, he wasn't exactly sure he wanted to hear what was running through his brother's mind,

"Well, just thinking, if you got my DNA in you that makes me your daddy'' he wiggled his eyebrows and laughed when Dean punched him soundly on the shoulder,

" I am NEVER going to call you that, so you can get that idea out your head right the hell now'' he scowled, but his lips were twitching and his green eyes were sparkling with mirth.

Jack came in the kitchen to see his boy and Sam grinning at each other,

"Hey kids, just heard from Thor, they found him, they found Loki''.