Supernatural Death Note

Chapter Sixty-Four: The Session

Dean stiffened and closed his eyes. It had come. He knew it. How the hell was he going to get through this?

Near put the white kitten into his arms, wondering if that would help.

Dean looked down at the white kitten and then into Near's face. He smiled. "No, Near. This one is to help you. I have a whole bed full of them to help me, but I thank you for your kindness in sharing with me." Dean hugged the boy and kissed his forehead. "I'll be fine."

Sam returned from washing his hands and wondered what had happened to cause this.

"Will Dean do a puzzle with Near after Dean is done with L?"

"I can't promise, Near. It will depend on what happens. It's a session. You know how they can be for me? If I can, I will be there. Doing puzzles with you is peaceful and helpful at times. I hope I can."

"Near would like it if Dean would join Near if Dean feels up to it afterward. If Dean does not, Near understands."

"I would like it too, Near. If I am up to it, I will be there. The garden?"

"The usual table, yes."

"I'm gonna try, but I have no idea what's gonna happen."

Sam knew then that L had requested that they come to him for the session he'd pressed for. He'd hoped to have a nice breakfast with Dean. He doubted he'd get Dean to even eat this morning. He could see the shock on his brother's face.

Near's voice was soft. "Dean must be anxious about this, but Near hopes that Dean will eat well today since both Near and Dean missed a meal last night."

Dean felt sick to his stomach but knew he couldn't deny Near something like this. "I will eat, Near. I promise."

Near nodded, petting the kitty. "Near will see Dean later," he said.

Dean nodded. He turned to the table where Watari had set out the trays. He looked up at his brother standing across the room. There were tears in the hunter's eyes. He tried to smile, and sat down. "We gonna eat, Sam?"

"We are. You've got a great kid there, Dean."

"Yeah, I do. He's one of a kind."

Dean opened the tray and saw poached eggs, pan sausage, grits, and wheat biscuits. There was a bowl of fresh fruit, and a cup of tea. He prepared to eat because he'd promised Near that he would. He cut the eggs and sausage, and took a bite. He looked at Sam as he ate, trying to find a conversation that did not involve sessions with his brother. This one was the one he'd been avoiding. Sam's anger issues involving him. He'd screwed him royal so many times and he didn't really have a response to his attacks. He was guilty. He knew it.

He slowly ate, talking about the day before and the practical joke. As they finished eating and were drinking their tea, Dean looked up at Sam, "L is sending Watari to bring us to him this morning. I asked and it's a session.""

Sam nodded. "Ok. .we'll get through it. And Dean, that was a sweet gesture with giving Near the toys. Though what're you gonna do with the rest of that pile?"

"I thought I'd ask L if I could take them to the nearest hospital, after checking to see how many kids are in it. If I have enough, I could give the kids one. You honestly think we can get through this?"

"Dean, I know we can. We're both stubborn as hell and want to fix things.. make things right again. We just have to make sure to listen, right?"

"It requires more than listening, Sammy. It requires understanding and forgiveness, and those don't always come with listening."