Lambs for Slaughter

Epilogue

Once the dust settled and the BAU team contacted the local authorities to handle the crime scene, Dean and Sam went back to their motel room to clean up. Both hunters had their fair share of bruising and scrapes that Cas didn't have time to fix, but neither one complained. Aaron insisted that the Winchesters meet back up in the conference room he'd booked out, and they were pleased to see a few boxes of pizza and three cases of beer waiting for them.

"Dude, you are my hero!" Dean grinned, clapping Aaron on the arm and not wasting any time before diving in.

JJ and Sam both watched as the eldest Winchester stuff his face with varying expressions of disgust, while Morgan looked oddly impressed.

They all filled their plates, grabbed a drink, and sat around the large wooden table. Reid was particularly interested in the types of creatures they'd come across during their travels, while Aaron wanted to ensure that the boys were no longer living out of the Impala.

"We've actually got a pretty sweet setup," Dean explained as he tore into his third piece.

Sam took out his phone to show the others pictures. "Apparently we're Men of Letters legacies, which is an organization that chronicles the supernatural. We discovered a huge bunker in Kansas not too long ago. It's kind of nice, actually having a home for the first time."

"That sounds great," Aaron told them both with a pleased smile. "I'd love to see it one day, if possible. We'd ensure that no one was tracking us, of course."

"Spencer would probably appreciate the archive that we have. I even have a few copies of Rossi's books as well." Sam tucked his phone back into his pocket with a slight blush dusting his cheeks.

The eldest BAU agent laughed around the lip of his bottle before setting it down. "I'll be sure to sign them for you."

Dean nudged his shoulder against Aaron's, pulling his attention. "I heard you've got a kid now."

"Yes, Jack." He dug out his wallet and showed Dean the photograph he kept inside. "He's five now, and such a good kid."

Dean scrunched up his face as he thought back, "Like the kid from Sonny's? You two were close, if I remember right."

"Exactly like Jackson," Aaron nodded and put his wallet back into his pocket. "You know, you should think about visiting Sonny. You know he's kept up with your name as well. Never believed any of it. He thought that everything you talked about back at the Boy's Home was true."

Dean's eyebrows reached towards his forehead. "Yeah? Not many people do."

Aaron's lips twitched upwards. "It is one of those things that require the burden of proof. I can't imagine how we could have solved this case without your help."

"Well," Dean shrugged, then looked back at his brother before returning his attention to Aaron. "You know you can call us anytime something fishy comes up, right? I don't-" He hesitated. "I don't want this to be the last time we see each other."

Aaron turned in his chair so that the two of them were facing one another. He then placed a hand on Dean's shoulder and squeezed. "It won't be, I promise. I expect monthly check-ins, at the very least. Plus, Reid might actually go nuts if he doesn't see everything you've got hidden in that bunker. We'll visit soon, don't worry."

The relief on Dean's face broke Aaron's heart, just a little bit. No, he wouldn't let another twelve years go by without seeing or speaking with Dean Winchester, and he certainly wouldn't let him think that he, Sam, and Castiel were alone in their fight. "You've also had my number memorized for God knows how long," he told him with a soft smile. "I want you to use it. Anytime you need to talk. Anytime you need a dose of something normal, or just want to vent. Promise me?"

"Yeah," Dean grinned, wide and childlike. "I promise I'll call this time."

XX

Four months later

Aaron pinched the bridge of his nose to hold off the groan that wanted to crawl out of his throat. The case they had been working on had taken almost four days longer than they were expecting, and it took them too long to reach the Unsub. Nicholas Grayson had murdered two more seventeen year old girls with his hammer before they caught him, and Aaron would have a difficult time forgetting their parents' sobs when they had to break the news.

And now that they were back home, he had reports to fill out before he could go relieve the babysitter. Looking through the stack of paperwork, Aaron estimated he had about another hour and a half left to go. With a sigh, he buckled down and put his pen to paper.

Not long after he got started, movement from the bullpen caught his eye. Aaron frowned and pushed up to his feet. There shouldn't be anyone else on this floor, his team had already left for the night. By the time opened the door to his office, four unfamiliar agents in matching sharp black suits were filing into the BAU's area.

"Can I help you?" Aaron asked with an air of caution.

One man, with thin blonde hair and a carefully blank expression that gave nothing away, stepped forward with a manila folder in his hand. "Agent Hotchner?"

Aaron nodded carefully.

"My name is Phil Coulson with the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. I'm here to speak with you about Dean Winchester."

XX