Diary of a Hunter

The First Phone Call

~3rd Person POV~

"Caleb, it's Bobby," Bobby said. He didn't want to be doing this but the conversation that he had had with Meredith earlier had been unsettling.

"If you're calling just to check up on me, I'm stopping by in a couple of days," Caleb replied.

"No, it's not about that. Listen, Caleb. I think you need to talk to your daughter. Meredith, she, she came to me today asking if she could go into hunting. I didn't know what to tell her. I'm a little worried and thought that, as her father, you'd want to know," Bobby started.

"Well where'd she get that idea from?" Caleb asked, tense. Bobby didn't reply."Winchesters. Damn it. He's asking her to go with him, isn't he?"

"No, this has nothing to do with Dean," Bobby sighed. "Dean hasn't asked her about it at all he's not bothering her about it but I think that… them being here has influenced her thinking. Look, don't be mad at any of them. John took her on a hunt though, a while back."

"He what?" Caleb exclaimed.

"Caleb, you just need to sit down and talk with her," Bobby advised.

"Damn it. I'll be there in a few days," Caleb muttered, before the line went dead.

"Jesus Christ," Bobby sighed, hanging up the phone.

The Second Phone Call

"I'm going to be there tomorrow, Bobby," Caleb announced.

"Look, I may have been over exaggerating a little. She hasn't mentioned since. There's no need for you to rush over here, Caleb. Maybe she was just trying to see what I would say. Maybe she's not even considering it. You know how kids are. They change their minds all the time! I don't think you should be too worried about this," Bobby started.

"I was going to come visit anyways. I think it'll be good for me to see my girls… Bobby, I know you don't want me to worry, but I have to. I'm her father and I want what's best for her," Caleb said into the phone.

"I know you do, but ambushing her like this isn't going to be what's best for her. Caleb, I don't mean to overstep my boundaries, but I feel like you two should talk. Figure out what really is best for her because… she's changed a lot," Bobby argued.

He hated having to give Caleb parenting advice but he couldn't help but feel irritated with Caleb. Caleb would waltz back into Meredith's life and tell her what to do like he knew what was best for her, but how did he know what was best for her? He hadn't been here like Bobby or Andrea had been. How could he know? What if hunting really was what was best for Meredith? Bobby hated that though too, but it was just a thought.

Caleb sighed, "Look, I'll be there tomorrow morning. Don't say anything to her. I'll- I'll call her tonight. Don't worry, Bobby. I won't ambush her with anything. I'll-, I uh, I'll just spend some time with her. If that's really what you think will help me… "understand" whatever the hell you and that John Winchester understand about her, then I'll do it."

"Well, I don't know how you're going to pry her away from Dean. Those two are practically attached at the hip," Bobby said.

"She's still seeing him?" Caleb asked, intrigued.

"Yes," Bobby answered firmly.

Again, Bobby hated saying this, but Caleb hadn't been around enough to see that Dean and Meredith were wonderful together. They were both great for each other and Caleb was honestly just judging Dean by his father. This was a lot, coming from Bobby. Bobby saw Meredith as a daughter and was so afraid that Dean would break her heart, but as of now, he was what made her happiest, and he wouldn't take that away from her. He just hoped Caleb would see it the same way, but he had a feeling that Caleb wouldn't.

"Are you suggesting that I talk to the two of them?" Caleb asked.

"Honestly, yes," Bobby replied.

"I'll think about it," was all Caleb said, before hanging up the phone.

The Third Phone Call

~Meredith's POV~

"Mer, your dad wants to talk to you," Bobby said. I looked at him strangely. Why was my dad-? He had been on a hunt, but maybe he really was trying to make things better. I took the phone from Bobby and stood there, playing with the spiral chord of the phone.

"Dad?" I asked, nervously. What could he possibly want to talk about?

"Yeah, hi, sweetie," Dad answered. I could've sworn that I heard a smile in his voice which was weird but almost exciting for me. Wow, that sounded horrible, but I had to admit that I was happy about my dad not feeling like his kids were yet another chore to check off his list of things.

"Hey," I smiled back.

"So I'm coming to town for a few days. Any chance you can fit me into that busy schedule of yours?" Dad asked. I was taken aback by his question.

"Uh… yeah, I think so. Yeah, I don't have anything going on this weekend," I stammered, still in shock.

"Great. I thought you and I could spend the day together tomorrow. I'll be there in the morning," Dad replied.

"What about Sawyer?" I asked.

"I'll spend the next day with her," Dad shrugged.

"I-, Dad, what's going on? This seems very unlike you," I started, with a small sigh.

"Nothing. You two just grow up so quickly that I feel like I come back and I barely know you guys anymore. Just one day with your old man," Dad replied. I laughed at his little comment.

"Yeah, okay. There's this new art exhibit I've wanted to go to for a while… if that's okay with you," I started, hopeful. I smiled, trying not to start grinning, but my dad really was putting in the effort. It hadn't been a lie this time.

"Sure. You know, your mom and I used to go to art exhibits before you were born. She was obsessed with them when she got pregnant with you," Dad started.

I chuckled, "Well, that would explain why I love them so much."

"Yes, it would," Dad chuckled too. "Listen, I thought maybe after our day together, you, me, and… uh… and uh, Dean could have dinner together, just the three of us. You know. He is your boyfriend and I am your father so I figured it was time for me to get to know the way you do."

This was an even bigger shock than the first one, "I uh… really?"

"Really," Dad answered.

"Yeah, alright, why not?" I asked. He was truly making an effort to be a part of my life and it felt so damn good. I knew Dad didn't trust Dean but he was trying.

"Great, I'll see you later, kiddo," Dad replied.

"Bye. I love you, Dad," I said back.

"I love you too," he said, before hanging up the phone.

I hung up the phone and couldn't help but feel so giddy right now. I hurried upstairs to tell Dean what had just happened. I found Dean sitting on the bed in his room, rifling through some school papers.

"Hey, can I come in?" I asked.

"Yeah," Dean replied. "What's with you today? You're in a great mood and we haven't even had sex today."

I laughed, rolling my eyes playfully, "My dad just called. He wants to spend the day together tomorrow."

"Really?" Dean asked skeptically.

"Really. I know, that was my exact same reaction but then he asked about something else and that's kinda what sold me," I replied.

"What did he ask about?" Dean asked.

I bit my lip nervously, "Well, he wants to know if you and I would have dinner with him." Dean just stared back at me and I really hoped that he'd say yes. I was pretty sure he'd say no and that's what was making me so damn nervous.

"Your dad wants to have dinner with us?" Dean asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah. Okay, I know that you don't have any fond memories of my dad since all of them are… really bad, but he really seems to be trying to be a part of my life. Do this for me, Dean. Please," I begged.

"You know, you're kind of cute when you beg," Dean smirked.

"Dean," I groaned.

"Sorry. Um… okay, yeah, why not? I guess it can't hurt… too much," Dean replied.

I rolled my eyes, punching him playfully.

"Hey, watch it! You've got a better right hook than you think you do," Dean said.

I giggled, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I leaned in, kissing him once.

"Look, Mer, I don't mean to sound like a pessimist, but I'm afraid that you're going to get all worked up like this and then end up being disappointed. I'm not saying you will be, I'm just saying that… well, with your dad's track record…" Dean started.

I nodded, not actually taking in what he said, "I know, I know, babe. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself, but it's sweet that you care so much." I pulled Dean in for a longer, more passionate kiss. Dean pulled me in by my hips, attempting to pull me down on top of him, on the bed, but before he could, I untangled myself from him and began to leave.

"Woah, woah, woah! Wait, where are you going?" Dean asked, perplexed.

"I've got to go talk to Sawyer," I shrugged, simply. I knew I was teasing him and couldn't help but feel amused.

"You owe me," Dean reminded.

"I know, I know," I giggled.

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"Hey, babe, can you pass the milk?" Dean asked, looking up from the newspaper that he was reading.

"Yeah, can you pass me the front page?" I asked back.

"Sure," Dean said. "I don't read it anyways. Straight to the comics!"

I laughed, "Of course you go straight to the comics."

"Hey, you love me," Dean pointed out.

"Fair enough," I nodded. "When's your dad coming back?"

"Uh, he said around Tuesday but who knows? You know how he gets," Dean replied.

I nodded slowly. I knew that Dean was a little disappointed that John decided to take this hunt all on his own and I could relate but at the same time, I was glad that Dean was here with me, especially for this weekend.

We went back to our respective newspapers and I couldn't help but feel super coupley at the moment. We were just sitting at the breakfast table, just the two of us, reading newspapers quietly, enjoying each others' company. I wondered what if this is what it would be like if Dean and I got married. Not that I wanted to marry Dean right now. We were sixteen! But it's not like the thought hadn't crossed my mind. I loved Dean, a lot, and I couldn't help but think that maybe one day in the future, just maybe we could get married. It was a very far possibility though…

I mean, who really married their high school sweethearts? It would be silly for me to think that Dean and I would actually get married… but we were so serious about each other right now… damn it! I had to stop thinking about this! I forced myself to focus on the words of the newspaper article that I was reading.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and it was as if I was a dog whose ears had perked up. I practically jumped out of my seat.

"Dean, I think… I think it's my dad," I whisper-spoke, excitedly.

"Well, go get it," Dean encouraged with a small chuckle.

"I'm nervous. Is that weird?" I asked.

"Mer, just go answer the damn door. It's your dad and he loves you," Dean persuaded.

"Okay," I smiled, before taking a deep breath and going over to answer the door. I twisted the door handle and opened the door, grinning as soon as I saw my dad. "Daddy!"

"Hey, sweetie. You're up early on a Saturday morning. Aren't kids these days into the whole sleeping in thing?" Dad asked.

I shook my head, "I guess, but I'm a bit of an early riser. Besides, Dean and I were just having breakfast together. You could join us? We're just having cereal but I could make you something if you wanted me to."

"No, it's alright. I already ate before I came here. Is Bobby around?" Dad asked.

"Yeah, he's in the study," I replied.

"Alright. Well, I'd like to have a word with him. Why don't you finish your breakfast while Bobby and I talk and then we'll head out for the art museum? Get a head start on today, huh?" Dad offered.

I smiled, trying not to appear as giddy as I really was, "That sounds great, Dad."

"Alright," Dad replied, nodding once.

"It's good to see you, sweetheart," he said, pulling me in for a hug.

"You too," I replied. It was so weird. I never usually got this side of him but I wasn't complaining. My dad went into Bobby's study as I went back into the kitchen.

"So?" Dean asked.

"Well, things seem to be going well so far," I replied.

"Good," Dean replied, sincerely. I could tell that he was happy for me, but there was some restraint that I noticed in him. I knew he was just looking out for me so I had to remind myself not to get annoyed with him.

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"Wow, look at that one. Degas was one of your mom's favorites. You know, she always told me that she wanted you to be a dancer," Dad said, admiring the beautiful painting that was hanging on the wall. It was one of Degas' dancer paintings and to be honest, it really was breath taking.

"Really?" I asked looking back at him. It was so weird. Dad kept bringing up stories about Mom and everything. It was just… different. He was getting all nostalgic was odd but nice for a change.

"Yeah, sorry it didn't work out that way, kiddo…" Dad trailed off.

I chuckled, "It's okay, Dad. I wouldn't have it any other way."

"What do you mean?" Dean asked.

I shrugged, "Well, with this whole hunting thing, I actually get to help people."

"Huh," Dad sounded.

"What?" I asked back.

"Nothing. Listen, how does a hunting-free day sound? What if we just didn't talk about it today? Just spend the day together – you and me," Dad proposed.

A small smile formed on my face, "Yeah, okay."

"Okay, let's get going, kiddo. We have so much more to see," Dad encouraged.

After the end of the art exhibit, Dad and I got lunch and then went for a walk in the Sioux Falls Park, just talking about nonsensical things. It was amazing that when my dad wanted to avoid anything hunting related, how genuine he could be. I wasn't used to seeing this side of him. He just seemed like a normal guy. He wasn't broken, angry, hurting, too determined to kill something, or bitter like most times but here he was just… my dad – and I loved that, for once.

I wondered whether this was the side of him that Sawyer saw. Sawyer still had this perfect, idealized image of my dad in her head. So this was the side she saw… it was strange. We both knew two sides of my dad but for once, I got to know this side. Then again, Sawyer hadn't been dragged on the road along with dad and she hadn't been there when Mom was killed and Dad was broken. I had to admit I was a little bit jealous, but this sure was making up for it.

We got back to the house and there was a note waiting for us. Bobby had taken Sam, Dean, and Sawyer out to a movie and they'd be out the most of the night except for Dean, who'd come back for dinner. Things seemed to be working out a little too well. Had Bobby been behind all of this or had my dad…? No, that was maybe a little too much on my dad's part.

"Hey, how about you and I cook some dinner for you and that uh… boyfriend of yours? What do you say about throwing some burgers on the grill?" Dad suggested.

"That sounds great. Need any help?" I asked back.

"Sure," Dad replied. "So where does Bobby keep the grill?"

"It should be out back but Bobby hasn't used that thing for years so uh… good luck trying to get it started. I think last time we used it, it blew a fuse or something," I chuckled.

"Yeah, that's Bobby, for you," Dad laughed. "I've got to thank him. He's been more of a father to you than I have."

"Dad, he-," I started.

"No, you don't have to say anything. He has. If it counts, I wish I had been around for all of it. The birthdays, the holidays… I'm sorry that I haven't been," Dad said.

"Then why haven't you, Dad?" I asked.

"I get tied up with the work, but it looks like you're well taken care of. You and Sawyer seem to be getting along. I was nervous about her coming here. She's been through so much and I'm glad she has you," Dad continued.

"Well, she had you for a year, Dad. That's… pretty darn good company," I said, lightly.

"Yeah, but I think 'big sister' trumps 'dad' in this case. She's told me how helpful you've been to her, how helpful Sam's been to her. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she has a crush on the boy," Dean brought up.

I laughed a little, "Sometimes I think she does too. I don't know. I think they're just really great friends. Sam is a great friend to her… to me. He's… a good person. He's kind."

"And what about Dean?" Dad asked.

"Subtle, Dad. Really subtle," I answered, playfully calling him out on that as we began to make dinner. Dad only chuckled in response. "Can you pass me another paper towel?" Dad reached over and ripped off a paper towel before handing it back to me.

"I can't help myself. I'm your father and I had to ask," Dad replied.

"Well… what about him?" I asked.

"I don't know. I don't know what fathers are supposed to ask in these situations," Dad laughed a little. "Is he… is he good to you? Does he treat you right? You know… does he hold doors open for you? Does he say 'God bless you' when you sneeze. All of that stuff."

I laughed, "Yes, he does, Dad. Has he passed your test yet?"

"Well that's good to know he's a gentleman at least. Reassuring," Dad said.

"Look, I know he's a Winchester and you don't really trust his dad and yes, Dean is like his father but he's so unlike his father in so many ways as well. He… to answer your question, Dad, he's so wonderful to me. He… he does all that stuff you just mentioned and more. He tells me he loves me just because, and he sings aloud to the radio in the funniest ways that always make me laugh, and… he opens up to me. I love him, Dad. I do and I just want you to give him a chance," I said back.

"You're really serious about him, aren't you?" Dad asked, his tone a little darker than normal, which kinda threw me off, but I shook it off anyways.

"Yeah, I am," I stated.

Dad nodded slowly, "If he makes you happy, Mer, then I'm willing to give him a chance."

"Okay," I smiled.

Dad and I finished dinner up right as Dean came through the front door.

"Hi, you," Dean said, kissing me on the cheek once.

"Hey," I smiled, seeing him.

"Hi, Dean," my father replied, formally.

"Hi… Mr. Summers…" Dean stammered, nervously. I could tell he didn't know what to call my dad and that he was nervous in general. He and I both knew that my father wasn't exactly his biggest fan but dad did say earlier that he was willing to give Dean a chance.

"Caleb," Dad said.

"Okay," Dean said, almost sighing with relief. I giggled at Dean's reaction. Dean noticed the book I had lying on the table. "You were reading?"

"Shut up, I love reading," I replied.

"I know," Dean chuckled.

"Hm… I think that's all your mother's fault. She would always read to you, even before you were born. I remember your first book. What was that? Goodnight Moon? You took the thing with you everywhere we went. I could not get you to put it down once," Dad said.

My jaw dropped, "I can't believe you remember that!" Just then, Dad's cell phone began to rang and he pulled it out of his pocket, squinting his eyes to see the number displayed on the little screen.

"Oh, sorry, I've got to take this call. We can start dinner when I get back.

"It smells great in here," Dean said, once my dad had left.

"Yeah, we used the grill," I replied.

"Hey, didn't we blow a fuse last time?" Dean asked.

I laughed, "Yes, but this time everything seemed fine."

"So you and your dad seem to be having fun," Dean replied.

"Yeah we are. I think he's really trying, Dean," I smiled.

"Yeah?" Dean asked.

"Yeah. We went to the French artists exhibit at the museum today. We saw the Rodin's, the Degas', the Monet's… it was amazing just spending time with him and everything. He even said he wanted to have a hunting-free day," I replied, practically bursting at the seams with excitement.

"God, you're so sexy when you speak French," was all Dean replied, grinning his lopsided, turned on grin.

"Stop," I giggled, as Dean pulled me into him.

"What?" Dean asked, innocently.

"My dad is in the next room," I said, pushing his hands off of me. Instead of letting them go, I just held his hands in mine. I leaned in to share a small kiss with Dean when we heard footsteps coming down the hall. Shit. I pulled Dean aside.

"Dean, just a little reminder. No quips, no innuendos, and don't even think about alluding to having ever seen me naked or having touched any part of my body that requires clothes," I hissed, before Dad could even come in here.

"Got it. None of that smart ass Winchester-y stuff and definitely no doing this," Dean said, pulling me close to him, as his hands traveled down towards my ass.

"Yes, definitely none of that," I answered, taking his hands off of my ass. Of course, Dean was stubborn about it and only pulled me closer to him.

"Alright, sorry about that," I heard my dad say, causing Dean and I spring apart from each other.

"So who's ready for dinner?" I asked, quickly averting my dad from anything he may or may not have seen.

Dinner had surprisingly gone well and my dad and Dean somehow managed to actually get along. Any argument was all playful.

"I don't know about the Camaro… I'd go with the mustang," Dad argued, light heartedly.

"The camaro? No one goes with the camaro!" Dean protested.

"I go with the Camaro," Dad replied, before the three of us laughed at my dad's joke.

"So Dean, any plans for after high school? You thinking about college?" Dad asked.

"Uh, I don't really know. Not really. Figured I'd graduate high school. Maybe get my GED but family comes first," Dean replied.

"Well, it seems you have your… values, set in place," Dad commented. Under the table, I grabbed Dean's hand that was resting on his knee. He gave my hand a tight squeeze before exchanging glances with me.

"Yeah, I do. My family is my priority," Dean stated, firmly.

"Well, that's good to know what you want. You know, Meredith's always known what she wants. I remember when you were eight years old and you were already dreaming about college. This one is sure going to go off to college… change the world someday," Dad said.

"I can't disagree with that," Dean said back. "She is going to change the world."

I took a deep breath in. It was like the breaks were slamming on and I knew why Dad had been acting the way he had been all day, but I didn't want to make assumptions just yet.

"Well, say things change. What would you do if college wasn't what I wanted?" I asked. It was about time that I found some answers for myself.

"They're not going to. Meredith, you've always wanted college," Dad said, a tone of concern and resistance in his voice.

"But what if I didn't anymore?" I asked.

"What would you do instead?" Dad asked back.

I shrugged, "I don't know. Hunt… or something," I replied.

"What?" Dean asked, looking over at me, but I wasn't in the mood.

It was all making sense now. Bobby must've said something to Dad about me wanting to hunt. That's why Dad rushed back here so quickly. He wanted to have a hunting-free day to convince me not to do it. Damn it. He wanted to do this whole normal thing to show me how great normal was and if it came up, like it was now, to be able to be here to tell me not to hunt.

"Young lady, you'll do nothing of the sort," Dad said firmly. I stared at the table, still trying to process everything. He couldn't stop me. I could hunt if I wanted to. I got up from the table and began to walk away. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Dad, why are you here?" I asked, turning around to look at him. "Did Bobby tell you? Is that it?"

Dad thought it over before finally saying, "Yes."

"Damn it," I swore under my breath.

"Watch the language," my dad warned.

"No, I-, God, I can't believe him. And you! What the hell Dad? You come here and act like you're just here to spend time with your kids when really you're just on another mission. You're here to convince me not to hunt when I'm done with school, aren't you?" I accused, angrily.

"Meredith, it's not like that," Dad started.

I scoffed, "Then what is it like?" No answer. Dad had nothing to say. I took that silence as my answer. "Right… God, I can't believe for a moment, I actually thought you were here just to see us. I was pretty stupid for believing that, wasn't I? Guess what, Dad? You win, again. I've fallen for another one of your tricks." I took one last look at my dad before shaking my head and going upstairs to my room. I collapsed on my bed, angry and hurt.

I really thought he was changing and that he was trying to fix things. Sure, I had seen a whole new side of him today, but it was only because he wanted something. He had a motive. Damn it. I can't believe I fell for it this time.

"Can I come in?" I heard a voice say.

"Go away," I said back.

"Mer," Dean said, coming into the room and shutting the door behind him. He came over and sat on the bed.

"Please don't say I told you so, okay?" I asked.

"Okay," Dean nodded. Dean pulled me into his arms and just held me and that was all that I needed.