The Djinn had been dead for less than twenty-four hours when Dean's dad showed up at the Kent house.

They'd all been sitting down to breakfast when the knock came on the door. Mr. Kent stood first, but Mrs. Kent shook her head and went to answer it herself. Dean exchanged a glance with Sam as they listened to their dad exchange words with Mrs. Kent—nothing they could hear—then Mrs. Kent and their dad came into the kitchen.

"Dean. Report."

Dean dropped his fork and stood at attention, looking straight ahead. "We ran out of rations, sir. We went looking for food, and the Kents caught us trying to sneak into their house."

"The provisions in the cabin should have been enough for two weeks, Dean."

Dean clenched his teeth. It might have been enough if they had intended to ration for two weeks, but Dad had promised he'd come back in a week. Dean kept his mouth shut, though. Arguing would just get him into more trouble.

"We'll talk about it later. Let's go."

Mr. Kent was up and out of his seat before Dean could process what was happening. He got up right in Dean's father's face. "I don't think so. Not before me and you have a talk."

"Who the hell are you?"

"Jonathan Kent. We're the ones who housed and fed your kids after you abandoned them to die in the woods."

Dean stood and muscled his way between the two men. "Mr. Kent," he said, "it's okay."

"It's not okay," Mr. Kent said.

"We're fine," Dean said.

"It's not your concern," his dad said.

"Not my concern?"

Mr. Kent pushed Dean aside, and Dean squeezed his eyes shut. He should have seen this coming.

"You take off on some work trip, if that's even what it was, and you leave two minors in a cabin without enough food, so they were forced to wander around in the woods alone—"

"I know my boys. And I know what they can handle."

"You neglected them!"

"Not according to the law, and I can prove that. But according to the law, what you did is considered kidnapping."

"What?" Mr. Kent's face turned beet red.

"Like I said, my family is not your concern. For what it's worth, I do appreciate what you were trying to do, but make no mistake, Mr. Kent. If you come after my boys, I'll come after yours."

Mr. Kent still looked ready to kill, but he took a half step back.

"Dean," his dad said, "let's go."

Dean's eyes fell on Sam—Sam was staring down at his breakfast, looking miserable. "Sir," Dean said, turning back to his father, "can we say good bye?"

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His dad's eyes narrowed, just for a split second, but then he nodded. "Five minutes. Meet me in the car." And with that, he turned and left the room.

Dean turned around to face Sam. Clark had already launched himself into Sam's arms, and Sam was gripping him back. When they let go, Clark's eyes were wide and teary.

"You think your dad will let you come visit?" Clark asked.

Sam winced. "I—I don't—"

"Hey," Dean said, and he waited for Clark to look up at him. "I'm turning eighteen next year. We'll come see you on our own, whether our dad likes it or not." He had no idea how soon he could uphold that promise, but hunting took them all over the country. Chances were, there'd be a case in Kansas sooner or later.

Clark wiped at his eyes and ran over to hug Dean as well. Dean wasn't exactly sure what to do with that, so he just patted Clark's back awkwardly a couple of times.

Lex gave Sam a small smile and a handshake, then he turned to Dean and gave a slight nod. Now that Dean knew about the Luthor family, he could keep an eye on Lex in the news and make sure things weren't taking a turn for the worse in his household. Lex's father might have never given him the opportunity to be a good son, but Lex was still a good brother.

Mr. Kent came over to give them each a handshake and a pat on the shoulder. He leaned in closer to Dean and asked, "You're sure you're going to be okay?"

"We'll be fine, Mr. Kent."

"You have my phone number. If he abandons you again—"

"I'll call you," Dean lied easily.

Mr. Kent nodded, and Mrs. Kent took his place, pulling Dean into a soft hug that reminded him so much of his vague memories of his mother, he had to blink back tears.

"Take care of yourselves, boys," she said.

"Thank you for everything, Mrs. Kent," Sam said, and they both headed toward the door.

Dean gave Sam's shoulder a squeeze as they left the house. "We'll see them again, Sammy, I can promise you that" he said.

"You sure?" Sam asked in a small voice.

Dean smiled. "Positive."

----------------------------------------

Despite the absence of the Winchesters, the rest of the summer may as well have been heaven.

Lex knew Clark was missing Sam and Dean as soon as they left, so he made up his mind to be as good an older brother to Clark as he possibly could in the time he had left. He asked Mr. Kent if he and Clark could work on chores together as much as possible rather than splitting up. He didn't try to sneak away to his room in the afternoons—he played basketball and checkers, he rode horses, he helped Mrs. Kent with the baking, and he did whatever else Clark could think of for them to do.

Clark was worth that. Lex had determined Clark was worth his own life; he had very nearly paid that price. And now Lex was getting what he'd paid for. He was getting a second chance to be a big brother.

Lex even did his best to cooperate with the Kents, and managed to avoid being grounded again, though he suspected that was because they realized that grounding Lex would make Clark absolutely miserable. Lex's mouth sometimes got the better of him, but the worst the Kents ever did was lecture him.

The farm felt safe, and that was something Lex had never experienced before. Mrs. Kent bought him a new cap to replace the one he'd lost at the warehouse, but most days, he found himself completely forgetting to put it on.

A week before school started back up, a limousine pulled up out in front of the farm. Lex was already packed. His father didn't even come into the house to get him, but Lex appreciated that. As long as he didn't keep the driver waiting too long, he could have a little time to say good bye.

Mr. Kent gave him a couple of pats on the shoulder that almost could have been considered a side hug, and Mrs. Kent pulled him into an embrace so warm and loving that he had to consciously tell himself to let go of her after he'd held on for a few seconds too many. Less than a second after he let go of Mrs. Kent, Clark jumped into his arms, and he actually did refuse to let go.

Lex grimaced. "Clark, my dad's waiting for me."

"Don't go," Clark whispered.

"I have to," Lex said, blinking rapidly.

"But you're the best friend I've ever had."

"Alright." Lex pried Clark's arms away and knelt down in front of him. "Alright, let's make a promise."

"Promise me we'll see each other again?"

Lex nodded. "I promise."

Clark gave him one last hug, then he sniffled and let him go.

Lex almost forgot to put on his new cap before he left the house.

His father was waiting for him in the car, a slight smirk on his face, though he kept his eyes on the newspaper in his lap. Lex kept his eyes on his hands. The longer he could go without having to make conversation, the better.

A few minutes into the drive, Lex's father finally looked up at him. "Well?"

Lex put on his best sullen face, staring out of the window. "It was hell. I hate you."

"I trust you'll behave yourself this year. Otherwise, I'll be sending you back next summer."

Lex nodded and fought back a smile. "Yes, Father."