Revenge Is a Dish Best Served Cold Ch. 30

Disclaimer: If only I did own them….but alas, I don't!

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Previously: "At least now your brother is finally talking about what happened to him instead of keeping things inside. Now he can fully heal…physically and mentally." Bobby informed Dean with a smile.

During the ensuing weeks to follow, Sam opened up more and more with his family about everything that had happened during the time he had spent in captivity. In doing so, the night terrors had finally began to subside, only attacking him in his dreams about every eight to ten days. Dean was so happy to see his baby brother returning to the teen he once was before the nightmare began.

Not only was he healing mentally, but his hand had almost fully healed too. Sam was able to use it for just about anything he needed to, only experiencing slight pain every now and then. His fingers were now flexible enough once again to grip the handle of a pistol and he had been target practicing with their dad over the past five days, getting him ready for the hunt again.

Hearing the pistol go off behind Bobby's house, Dean looked out the window to see Sammy hit the target their dad had placed on the tree in the bull's eye area. "Way to go Sammy." He thought as rinsed the plate that he had just washed and placed it in the dish drainer. Pulling the plug, he quickly dried his hands on the towel and then walked out the back door, just in time to hear his dad praising Sammy.

"Way to go Tiger, I always knew you'd become the perfect shot again, even with the hand injury." John said as he wrapped an arm around Sammy's shoulder and pulled him in for a quick hug.

"Thanks Dad" Sam stated, a red tinge coming to his cheeks as he blushed at the praise he wasn't used to getting from his dad. It felt wonderful to know that his dad was proud of him for once. Placing the safety on as he watched Dean walking up towards them, he lowered the gun and took in the huge smile on his brother's face.

"That was some shooting kid." Dean said as he clasped a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Looks like the Winchester's will soon be putting terror into the heart of all things supernatural once again."

"As a matter of fact, I was just thinking about that boys." John said as he looked at his boys. "I think it's about time we get back to business, but I want to start with something easy for our first hunt back. I don't want to take any chances with something major until I'm sure you're fully ready for it once again." John said as he focused his attention on Sam.

Feeling like enormous butterflies were fluttering in his stomach at the mention of Sam going on the hunt again, Dean asked, "So what do you have on your mind for this hunt?" He knew that he and his dad were a little rusty also with neither of them having hunted since getting Sammy back from that madman Hank Reynolds.

"Nothing much Ace, just a simple salt and burn. Sammy can do some of the digging so we can see how much strength and dexterity he has in his hand and it will give us a chance to get back into the swing of things ourselves." John answered.

"Kay, that doesn't sound so bad." Sam agreed letting both Dean and his father know that he was ready to start hunting again. He knew how important it was to his dad and Dean to resume hunting the thing that had killed their mom, and he had held them back from it long enough. Sure, he still had reservations about the hunting life, but he also knew how much his brother loved it and it wasn't fair to keep him away from it any longer.

"Sammy, are you sure? I mean we could put it off another week if you feel the least little bit nervous about this." Dean informed his baby brother wanting Sam to know he was fine with it if Sam felt he wasn't ready yet.

"Yeah Dean, I'm sure." Sam replied with a sheepish smile knowing that no matter how old he got, Dean would always be a protective mother hen when it came to him.

"Okay then, I'll have Bobby see what he can find for us later tonight." John informed his boys as he wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders and led them inside the house. He was looking forward to things getting back to normal, or what was considered normal for the Winchester family anyway.

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Later that evening after having finished dinner, John decided it was time he let Bobby know about their plans to get back to the hunt. He knew the older hunter would most likely be upset seeing as how they had been staying with him for a few months now and Bobby had grown accustomed to having them around. As his boys settled in front of the television, John looked at his friend and mentor and said, "Hey Bobby, you mind if we got out on the porch and talk for a little while?"

"Sure John." Bobby replied a little warily wondering what John had on his mind. He could tell the hunter was anxious about something and his gut was telling him he wouldn't like it. Following John out the door, he leaned against the railing and surveyed the yard before turning to face the eldest Winchester. "So what's on your mind?" Bobby inquired afraid that he already knew the answer.

"Bobby, the boys and I were talking earlier and we decided it's time to get back to the hunt." John answered bluntly as he gave the hunter a tight smile. Seeing the ire raise in Bobby's eyes, he said, "I know you think it's too early, but Sam is fully healed now and it's time for things to get back to normal."

"Damn it John, I knew that this was going to happen sooner or later, that you would get back to the hunt, but don't you think that you need to give the kid some more time? I mean he went through hell and back with what Hank did to him and I'm not sure Sam's ready yet for what you're proposing ya idjit. Why don't you leave Sammy here with me while you and Dean do a few hunts, give him a little more time to get used to the idea of hunting again." Bobby argued hoping John would agree to his logic.

"Bobby, after what happened, I don't think I ever want Sammy out of my sights again. I know you're worried about him, but he'll be okay. He's ready to starting hunting again, he even said so himself."

"Shit John, he probably said that because he knew that it was what you wanted to hear. He knows that you and Dean have been aching to get back to hunting for that damned yellow eyed demon again and he doesn't want to hold you back." Bobby retorted as he pulled his ball cap off and scratched his head.

"You may be right, but I won't leave him behind Bobby, I can't. Besides, we both know that Dean and Sam couldn't stand to be separated from each other at this point. Hell, Sammy will be lucky if Dean ever lets him out of his field of vision ever again."

"Yeah, I guess you're right at that." Bobby said with exasperation knowing he was fighting a losing battle. "Just promise me you'll start with something simple until the kid is ready to face the bigger battles once again."

"That's what I was coming to talk to you about Bobby. I was hoping you had a simple salt and burn job that we could start with. At least with a salt and burn, Dean and I could keep a close eye on Sam at all times and make sure he doesn't get hurt."

"Yeah, I know of a few that need to be done. I was saving them for Joshua and Caleb, but so help me John, if you let that boy get hurt, I won't be responsible for what I do to you."

"Believe me Bobby, if anything were to happen to Sammy, Dean would kill me before you even got the chance to threaten me with buckshot again." John stated.

"So when do you plan on leaving?" Bobby asked definitely not wanting to hear the answer. He couldn't stomach the thought of the Winchesters leaving and hunting again. He had become very attached to the boys and it would kill him to have to watch them drive off.

"I'm hoping to be on the road by first light." John answered truthfully. He hated that Bobby was going to be hurt by their leaving, but it was time for them to get back to their lives. The longer they stayed, the harder it would be on Sammy to leave.

"That soon huh? Guess I better get ya the information ya need for the hunt then." Bobby said as he lowered his head to hide the tears that were forming in his eyes before opening the door to go back inside the house. He needed some time alone to deal with the news.

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Early the next morning after everything was packed, John and the boys walked downstairs with their duffle bags to find out that Bobby had gotten up extra early to prepare a big breakfast for them. Sitting down at the table, they found plates loaded with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and fresh biscuits. "Wow Bobby, I don't know what got into you old man, but I'm sure glad it did." Dean smirked as he dug into the food with gusto knowing he wouldn't have another home cooked meal for a while.

"Shuddup ya knucklehead." Bobby replied as he smacked Dean alongside his head with his ball cap. "I just wanted to make sure you boys got your stomachs full before leaving and I ain't no old man."

"It's great Bobby, thanks." Sam said gratefully as he sipped on the glass of orange juice, swallowing it around the lump that was growing in his throat at the thought of having to say goodbye.

"Anytime Tiger." Bobby said as he reached over and ruffled the kid's shaggy hair. "Ya know, I'm sure going to miss you and that idjit brother of yours." The rest of breakfast was spent somberly as the hunters dreaded having to say goodbye.

Once everybody had finished eating and Bobby cleared the table, John grabbed their duffle bags and took them outside giving Bobby and the boys a chance to say goodbye.

Walking with the boys out to the porch, Bobby pulled Sammy into a fierce hug. "Take care of yourself kiddo. I don't want to hear that you've been hurt ever again, ya hear?" He said as he swiped the tears from his eyes.

"I will Bobby, I promise." Sam replied as he returned the hug before turning and walking down the stairs, tears falling steadily down his cheeks also.

"So long old man." Dean said as he reached out a hand to shake Bobby's. He was surprised when Bobby took it and yanked him into his arms for a hug.

"Jeez Bobby, no chick flick moments dude." Dean said cheekily as he returned the hug.

"Take care of yourself and that brother of yours Dean." Bobby said as he released Dean from the hug.

"Ya know I will Bobby, you don't have to worry about that." Dean voiced as he clasped Bobby on the shoulder before walking down the steps and following Sammy out to the car.

Once the boys had loaded up, John walked up to where Bobby was standing on the porch. "Thanks for everything Bobby, we would never have gotten through all of this without you. I don't know how to thank you man."

"No thanks needed John, you and the boys are family, even if I do want to shoot you every once in a while. Don't be strangers, bring those boys by for a visit every once in a while okay?" Bobby said as he shook John's hand.

"You've got it." John replied before pumping Bobby's hand again and walking to the car.

Standing on the porch, Bobby waved goodbye as he watched the car roll down the driveway and out of sight. Damn, but he already hated how quiet it seemed already with the Winchester family gone. If tears were falling steadily down his face, it was because of the dust kicked up by the departing Impala.

The END Thank you for all of your wonderful support throughout this story. It meant more than you will ever know. I hope the last chapter met up with your expectations.