The Family Business

Chapter One

The door opened to the motel and the boys walked in. Dean threw his keys on the table and opened the fridge. He grabbed a beer and sat down lifting his feet onto the round table. Sam placed his bag on his bed and pulled his shirt off, revealing layers and layers of muscles. Dean looked him over and raised an eyebrow.

"It's about time you two showed up." came a quiet voice behind Sam. Sam was startled and turned around. A petite girl was laying under the covers of her bed, looking at them.

"Brooklyn." Sam sighed, "You startled me"

"I always startle you Sam." she laughed, "How was the hunt?"

They glanced at each other. "Fine." responded Dean. "Go back to sleep."

"Dean. I'm not a baby anymore. I'm ok. By the way, I brought a friend home while you guys were out."

Questioned looks came across their faces. "What are you talking about?" asked Sam quizzically.

She smirked and lifted up the cover. A bundle of brown fur was revealed. A dog was curled up by her side, fast asleep. A boxer by the look of it.

Dean shot up and backed off real quick. "What the hell?!? Brooklyn Winchester! You can't just--" he stopped to take a big breath. "You can't just bring a pooch in whenever you want."

She pulled the covers back over it and smiled. "Dean. Dean. Dean. I understand why you wouldn't like dogs so much. But these dogs are different. You have to start getting used to them."

"Oh yeah? What makes them so different?!" he snapped back.

"Well for one thing, they're innocent. They don't even know what hell is. And for another thing, these dogs need owners to help them live."

There was silence in the room. Dean looked away and scratched the back of his head. Sam interrupted.

"Well... I'm gonna shower sooo you guys can figure all this out." He grabbed a towel and went in the bathroom.

SIlence rang in the air as Sam made his way in the bathroom. Dean looked at Brooklyn. It was more of a stare. His face was slightly red. But his whole body was covered in dirt from the job they just finished.

Brooklyn spoke first. "I'm sorry, Dean. But I love this dog so much."

"Mhmm." is all he said. He put his hands on his hips.

"This dog, he saved my life."

"What?"

Now her face had turned red. Her face contorted into a smile. But it wasn't a smile. It was more than a smile, it grew too much. A tear ran down her face. More followed. She was silently sobbing.

Dean became extremely confused. He never saw Brooklyn cry. When she was young and upset, she would isolate herself from her brothers. Dean tried to look after her the best he could ever since their dad disappeared. But he had never seen her cry. At least not in front of him. She was normally quiet when upset. But she was crying, actually crying, in front of him. He didn't know what to do.

He made his way over to her and sat on her bed clumsily. His legs were spread, his boots were pressed firmly to the ground. He fiddled his thumbs around each other playfully. He looked down at the ground, avoiding her face. Sam was easier to talk to when someone was crying. Dean wasn't much experienced with this sort of conversation. He saw Brooklyn as being tough. She was the strongest girl he knew. He had no idea what to say. She was crying so hard. It was like nothing he had ever seen before in her.

He looked over at her. His hand pulled the hair out of her eyes. "Shh. Brook. What's the matter? What... Why are you crying? Brook."

She choked back the tears and composed herself. She breathed and sat up next to him. The dog was still asleep. He grumbled a little as she had pushed him over. His face, still stuck in a shocked expression.

"Well, um... you know that a few months ago I was isolating myself from you two?"

"Yeah?"

"Um... I'm not exactly sure how to say it." Silence. "So we were in oregon. You and Sam were killing that demon butcher person. I went up on a cliff... um... a high cliff." The tears came again. "I tried to jump, Dean! I tried to jump!"

At this point she was leaning into his arms bawling. He embraced her and took a minute to let that sink in.

"You tried to end yourself?" he asked gently.

"I'm so sorry, Dean. I just couldn't anymore. I mean... Have you ever felt the same, like... ever?"

"Trust me." he reassured, "I tried to gank myself many many times. Hell, my ass was sent to hell for four months and it sucked. Yes, Brook. I have had many thoughts to end myself. But I'm here, now, with you." he smiled.

Once she regained her composure again, she started, "But this dog, he stopped me. He grabbed my shirt and pulled me back... It was like he knew how I felt and he wanted to help me. This probably sounds weird, sorry. I had hit the ground crying, thinking one of you had pulled me back. But the only other being there, was Bear."

"Bear?"

"Yeah, I named him and adopted him. He's a part of me. He saved my freaking life, Dean. He knew what to do. When I was on the ground, he licked my tears and curled up by my side. He didn't go to sleep, though. He just laid there staring into my eyes. I knew that I couldn't live without him. This dog is okay, Dean. He's loving. He's innocent. He's everything I've ever wanted. And not to lie, this job we do is hard. It takes a toll on your mental welfare. So, I just want to ask you. Please, let him stay."

Dean licked his lips. He looked at the boxer on the bed. Bear seemed to know they were talking about him. He was tilting his head staring at the man. The brown eyes sank into Dean's hazel eyes.

"I have to say, he is pretty freakin' cute, if he's not ripping you to shreds. Ahh, what the hell, sure. Keep the dog."

Brooklyn's smile returned and she dried her tears. She leaned over and gave him a hug. They sat there for quite awhile. They both needed it.

Sam had finished his shower, and walked in to find them embraced in each other's arms.

"Wow. looks like you guys made up pretty quickly." he chuckled.

They broke apart. Sam noticed Brooklyn's eyes were red and wet.

"You okay, Brook?" concern came to his features.

Dean got up and patted Sam on the shoulder. "It's all good, Sammy." He smiled and went to the bathroom to clean up.

"Yeah, I'm fine." she said. "We're keeping the dog."

Sam looked confused. "You guys must've had a hell of a conversation while I was cleaning up. Not anyone can change Dean's opinion of anything. Well done."

She smirked. "Good night, Sam. By the way, his name is Bear." She turned around and pulled the covers over her. She turned the lamp off next to her and lied still.

"Goodnight, Brook.... and Bear." He smiled then crawled into his own bed.