Saving Grace

The Curious Case of Dean Winchester -- Young Again

~*****~

The next morning as we leave the motel, I grumble irritably as I push Bobby up the ramp of the car garage. "Unbelievable, you guys are seriously unbelievable," I comment as I get Bobby to the top.

"What?" Dean complained.

"Bobby's in a wheel chair and you guys had me push him up? I'm holding a baby, I shouldn't have to push him when you guys-- well-- Dammit, Sammy, learn some respect!" I exclaim as I plop the baby into his arms.

Sam grunts irritably, angling his head away from the tiny grasping hands. "You know," He starts. "I still think I should play."

"No, no, no," Dean snorts. "You're not good enough. I'm better. Bobby's way better--"

"And I can clean the house out without batting an eye, so what?" I snap. "He's the only one that the he-witch will play with. You guys lost because you've got your heads up your asses."

"You see?" Sam says as he points to me.

"He's not playing, end of discussion." Dean retorts.

"I agree." Bobby nods.

"So, what? So I don't get a say in this anymore?" Sam asks irritably.

"Sammy, when you get to be our age--"

Sam cuts his brother off. "You're thirty, Dean! Look, I've watched you and Lottie hustle plenty of poker--"

"Knowing the game is not enough, Sam." Bobby interrupts him. "It's not about playing the cards."

"It's about playing the other guy, I know that." Sam snaps.

"Well, hooray for you," Bobby snaps back. "All I'm saying is, I played this guy. I know his style, I can take him."

"No, Bobby, you don't have enough years in the bank," Dean retorts.

"I got enough," Bobby retorts.

"Hell no," I snap. "You'll die if you lose, Bobby."

"So what if I do, huh?" Bobby barks. "What exactly am I living for, huh?! The damn apocalypse?! Watching men die bloody while I sit in this chair, can't step a step to help 'em?!"

"Bobby--" I try.

"No! No. It's the facts. I'm old... and broke down... and I can't... I ain't a hunter no more. I'm useless. And if I wasn't such a coward, I'd have stuck a gun in my mouth day I got home from the hospital." Bobby explains with a shuddering breath.

I stared hard at him. "Bobby. You are not playing again. I refuse to lose you, do you understand me? You ain't livin' just for you, you selfish bastard. You may not be able to walk, but you're still a part of our family! Now get your head out of your ass and realize that you will hurt people who love you if you keep talkin' like this." Bobby lifts his head to reiterate and stops as I wipe at my face, hurriedly brushing the tears threatening to roll down my cheeks. "We'll find a way out of this. There's got to be another way. Sam and I are gonna find it." I pluck the baby out of Sam's arms and pad angrily to the car.

~*****~

Dean and Bobby call us up and go through a plan that they had received from Patrick's girlfriend, Lia. It was a powerful spell that could reverse everything that had been done-- all except for the dead ones anyway. And, luckily for us, Patrick let me sit at the table while they played-- under the rules that I not interfere with the game at any point in time. "Deal." Sam ordered. Patrick's lip quirked up.

"I like you, Sam. I do," Patrick chirped as he peered at his two cards. "You're smart, and your heart's clearly in the right place. I can tell a lot about a guy by looking."