BABYSITTING THE WINCHESTER BOYS
Dean- 10 years old Sam- 6 years old Kate- 13 years old
AU- John Winchester works as a mechanic and goes "hunting" on the weekends sometimes. Dean knows about what he really does, but Sam does not.
SUMMARY: Kate is a somewhat neglected girl who babysits the Winchester boys when they are young. The three of them become close as they get to know each other.
Implied parental spanking of children in some chapters. There will be spanking in later chapters. Don't like it, don't read.
TUESDAY
I started taking care of the Winchester boys when I was in Seventh Grade. There was a small already furnished house up the street from us that the owners rented out. One day at dinner my father told me that a family had moved in.
"It's a widower with two young boys." he said. "He just started working over at the Mechanic's. I told him you'd be willing to watch his boys after school, until he gets home."
"You know I don't like it when you volunteer me for stuff like this!" I protested.
"It's a chance to do something nice for someone else. Plus, it will look good that we're helping out. I'm afraid he can't pay you very much."
My father was in local politics and my mother was his manager. They were very invested in "Doing Good Things For the Community" and in making sure that they looked good at all times. I was strongly encouraged to "Do Good Things" too, like take care of his co-worker's kids for free. Politician's kids are mostly either completely wild or really bratty because they get everything they want.
I rolled my eyes. "Great. And his kids are probably brats who don't listen, or complete animals."
"I told him we'd stop by tonight to meet the boys."
After dinner was cleaned up, we walked up the street to the small ranch house. As we walked up the sidewalk, I could hear the sounds of kid's voices yelling inside the house.
The door opened and a tall man stood there. "Boys, stop jumping on the sofa!" he called back over his shoulder, and stepped back to let us in. We went into the kitchen and the men shook hands.
"Katie, this is John Winchester." my father said.
"It's Kate." I said, shaking his hand. He had dark hair and a scruffy beard. His large hand was calloused.
"Hi Kate" he smiled, showing deep dimples. "Boys!" he called. "Come here, there's someone I want you to meet."
Two boys came running into the kitchen. They were both wearing towels pinned to their shoulders like capes and little black eye masks.
"This is Dean." Mr. Winchester introduced, touching the taller one on the head, "and this is Sam." he touched Sam's head. Dean had light brown hair cut short and Sam's hair was darker and slightly curly and longer.
"I'm not Sam, I'm Batman!" the smaller boy said.
"We don't need a babysitter, I can watch Sammy myself." the taller boy said sullenly. Mr. Winchester looked down at him.
"Dean, we already talked about this, and it's decided. Kate is going to pick you up from the bus stop and watch you two until I get home from work. No more lip about it, understand?"
"Yes sir." Dean said glumly. He glanced at me.
"C'mon, Dean, we need to save Gotham!" Sam said.
Mr. Winchester put his hand on Sam's shoulder. "No, it's time for superheroes to get ready for bed."
"Aww Dad!" Sam whined. "We were just getting to the good part!"
"It's a school night, Sammy." Mr. Winchester said. "You can continue your game tomorrow. Go on."
The boys left the room and my father and Mr. Winchester chatted for a moment.
"I'll leave the number for the garage on the refrigerator, in case there's an emergency." Mr . Winchester said.
"My wife is often at home too." my father said.
"We'll see you tomorrow." The men shook hands again and we left.
WEDNESDAY
The next day I did as much homework as I could, then I walked to the bus stop. There were a couple cars parked on the corner, waiting for their kids.
The bus pulled up and the doors opened. I walked up to the door.
"You Kate Young?" the bus driver asked. "You got some ID?"
"Yes, I'm picking up Sam and Dean Winchester." I showed her my school ID.
"All right. Mr. Winchester sent a note to school about it today." she glanced back. "C'mon boys! Let's go!"
The kids all started to get off the bus. Dean gave me a dirty look and started walking. Sam took my hand. "Always hold hands in the street." he told me.
"That's right" I said, following Dean. I realized I didn't know how we were going to get into their house. Dean took a key out of his backpack and unlocked the door. We followed him in. The boys put their backpacks on the floor next to the door.
"I'm hungry." Sam announced.
"Are you allowed to have a snack?" I asked.
Dean turned and looked at me "Duh." he said disdainfully.
"What do you want, Sammy?" he asked. "Apple slices with peanut butter?"
Sam's eyes lit up. "Yeah!"
I stood there feeling useless as Dean got out two apples, a jar of peanut butter, and a large knife.
Sam's eyes got big when he saw the knife. "Dean, you're not allowed to use that knife when Daddy's not here! I'm telling!" he said.
I stepped up to the table. "Why don't you let me cut the apples up." I said.
Dean gave me another dirty look. "I can do it." he said stiffly. "I'm not a little kid." He started to cut the first apple up. He looked at Sam.
"If you tell, I won't let you read any more of my comics!" he said.
Dean had no idea what he was doing with the knife or how to hold the apple.
I tried again. "Dean, can I show you the correct way to slice an apple?"
He stopped cutting and glared at me. " I don't need your help."
"I think you do." I said. "The slices are supposed to go the other way."
"I don't want to eat that one!" Sam said. "That looks wrong!"
Dean sighed angrily. "Gee Sam, thanks for siding with me!" he said sarcastically. He stomped out of the kitchen.
"What side? There's no sides! Dean! " Sam called after him, following his brother. I started to cut up the apples. Sam walked back in, looking dejected.
"Dean won't talk to me, I think he's mad at me." he said worriedly. "What did I do?"
"You didn't do anything." I told him. "I think Dean is upset because he thinks I shouldn't to be here."
"Yeah, he was mad when Daddy told us about you. He said, 'We don't need a stupid girl babysitting us!'" Sam said.
"Oh really?" I raised my eyebrows.
"You're good at that." Sam said, leaning on the table as I finished up with the knife.
"Thanks." I said. "Want to help me put the peanut butter on?"
"Yeah!" he said happily. I got out 2 butter knives and showed him how to spread the peanut butter on the apples.
"This is hard." Sam said. "It won't stick!"
"Pick it up and hold it like this." I showed him. When we were done, he sat down.
"I'll tell Dean it's ready." I said. I walked through the living room and down a short hallway and knocked on a door. "Dean" I called. "The apples are ready if you'd like some." Nothing. Then the door opened and Dean stood there, glowering.
"Look." I said." I'm here, whether you like it or not, and I'm not going to go away just because you're all grumpy." I turned and went back to the kitchen.
He came in after me and sat down. I washed the knives we had used and put them in a drying rack that was next to the sink.
"Dean, you know that boy Taylor? He said if we each give him 25 cents, he would eat a rotten apple that's on the playground!" Sam told his brother.
"He's gross." Dean said." Don't you give him anything."
"I won't." Sam licked peanut butter off his fingers.
"Is that Darryl kid still bothering you?" Dean asked Sam. Sam shook his head.
"Uh-uh. The teacher moved everyone's seats around." he looked up at me. "Could I have some milk please?"
"Sure" I said. After a little bit of searching, I found the cabinet with the dishes.
"Dean, do you want some?" I asked as I poured a glass for Sam.
"No" he said shortly.
"Say 'No thank you', Dean." Sam told him. "Just 'cause you don't like her doesn't mean you should be rude. Thank you." he said to me as I set the glass down in front of him.
I chuckled. "Dean, you don't like me? You don't even know me."
He looked up at me, anger in his eyes. "I don't need a babysitter!" he exclaimed, and stood up and stormed out of the kitchen again.
Sam finished eating and put the dishes in the sink. He came over to me and hugged me. "I like you. I think you're nice."
"Thanks, Sam I am." I said. He gave me a funny look. "You know, the Dr. Seuss book, Green Eggs and Ham?" He shook his head.
"I'll have to see if I can find it at my house. There's a character in it called Sam I am." I told him. He brought his backpack to the table and did his homework. I washed the dishes and put them in the drainer as well. When Sam was finished, we went into the living room and Sam turned the tv on to some cartoons.
I heard the low rumble of a car engine. Sam sat up. "Daddy's home!" he said happily. He got up and ran into the kitchen. I followed him and got there just as Mr. Winchester came in. Sam launched himeself at his father, running up to him and jumping up with his arms wide. Mr. Winchester bent down and caught Sam and lifted him up in a hug. "Hi Daddy!" Sam said happily."I like the new babysitter, but Dean doesn't. She's nice."
"Go tell your brother I'm home." Mr. Winchester said. He put Sam down and Sam left the kitchen.
Mr. Winchester looked at me. "How did your first day go?"
"It was fine. Dean gave me attitude, but that's okay." I shrugged.
"No, it's not okay. He shouldn't be giving you a hard time." he sighed. "He's 10 going on 30, wants to take care of himself and be independent."
I pointed to the dish drainer." He got out that big knife to cut apples with and Sam said he wasn't allowed to use it when you're not here. Sam threatened to tattle."
Mr. Winchester rolled his eyes. "Dean's just showing off and trying to see how far he can push things with you. He's stubborn, don't let him push you around. I'll talk to him tonight."
"I won't." I said.
Sam came back into the kitchen. "I finished my homework!" he told his father.
"Bye, Sam." I said.
"Aww, can't you stay longer?" he asked.
"No, I have to go home and finish my homework." I said. "See you tomorrow. Bye, Mr. Winchester."
THURSDAY
The next day Dean didn't talk to me after they got off the bus, but he did walk with us. He unlocked the door and we went inside.
Sam was chattering about a book he had gotten out of the library. Dean started to leave the room.
"Dean, you're s'posed to do your homework!" Sam called.
"I'm doing it in my room." Dean said over his shoulder.
Sam looked sad. "We always do it together at the kitchen table."
"I'll sit with you." I said. "And then we can read your book, if you want."
Sam wanted carrots with dip for a snack today. I walked back to the bedroom to ask if Dean wanted any. The door was open. The bedroom had 2 twin beds, a dresser, and a small shelf that held an assortment of books and toys. Dean was sitting on the bed closer to the door.
I stood at the door and knocked on the door jamb. "Do you want a snack? I'm getting carrot sticks for Sam."
Dean glanced at me. "No, uh, no thanks." he said quietly. Wow, manners, I said to myself. I wondered if his dad had talked to him.
Sam and I were sitting in the living room reading his book when we heard the car. Sam jumped up again and ran to greet his father. I went into the kitchen as Mr. Winchester was coming in. He asked me how things went and I told him everything went fine.
FRIDAY
The next day Sam was eating his snack when the phone rang.
"Hi Kate, it's Mr. Winchester. I'm going to be running late tonight, I'll be about an hour later than usual. Can you stay?"
"Yes, that's fine." I said.
"Thank you. If the boys get hungry, there's some soup in the pantry they can heat up."
"Okay." I said. "I can make dinner for them if you want."
"There's ground beef in the fridge. I was going to make hamburgers, but you don't have to do if you don't want to."
"Okay." I said again. "See you when you get home."
I looked in the fridge and pantry to see what kind of supplies there were. I told Sam, "Your dad is going to be home late, so I'm going to make dinner. Do you like pasta?"
"I love pisgetti!" Sam said. He had a milk mustache.
"Sam, you have a milk mustache." I told him. He wiped his face on his sleeve before I could say, "Get a napkin."
I searched through the cabinets and found the pots and pans and everything I needed. Sam had gone to watch tv. I heard him call to Dean.
"Come watch! It's the episode where they send Skeletor back in time!"
Soon I heard them both talking in the living room.
I browned the ground beef and diced up and onion and a tomato and added them with some spices. Then I put a pot of water on to boil.
Dean walked into the kitchen. "My dad called?"
"Yeah, he's going to be late. I'm making dinner for you. Do you like pasta?" I looked at him.
"When is he coming home?"
"He said he'd be about an hour late, so in about a half an hour."
Sam walked in. "That smells yummy! Dean's s'posed to set the table and I fold the napkins."
Dean frowned at Sam, but he got out the dishes and silverware. "Are you going to be eating here?" he asked me.
"No, I'll need to get home." I told him.
He set three places. Sam set out the napkins and I was putting out drinking glasses when we heard the familiar rumble of the car.
Mr. Winchester walked in and Sam launched himself at his father like he always did. "Hiya, Sammy!" Mr. Winchester kissed Sam's forehead. "Wow, something smells really good." He put Sam down and walked over to me at the stove.
"What are you making?" he asked me.
"I hope you don't mind, I made pasta with meat sauce instead of hamburgers." I told him, feeling a little nervous and embarrassed.
"No, it smells amazing. It's the first time in a long time that I've come home to someone else cooking dinner."
I glanced at him, and he had a sad, faraway look in his eyes for a moment. Then he turned and walked over to Dean.
"Hey, kiddo." he ruffled Dean's hair.
"Daddy, sit down! The table's all ready!" Sam said, grabbing his father's hand.
Mr. Winchester looked at me. "Do you want to join us?"
"Thank you, but I've got to get home and work on a huge report that's due on Monday." I told him. "See you all then."
"Have a good weekend." Mr. Winchester said. "Thanks for the dinner."
"Bye, Kate!" Sam ran up to me and hugged me before I left.
MONDAY
The bus was late. I stood on the corner, wondering how long I should wait for it. Finally it pulled up. The bus driver waved me over and handed me a piece of paper.
"Give this to the boy's Dad." she told me. "They got in trouble for fighting on the bus, I had to pull over and break things up. School's been called."
"Oh, wow." I said. Sam and Dean walked off the bus, Dean looking sullen and Sam looking tearful. Dean had a bruise on one of his cheeks.
"Are you guys okay?" I asked as we walked to their house. "What happened?"
"Tommy was bugging me, so I pushed him to make him leave me alone, an' then he pushed me back an' I fell off the seat an then Dean jumped on him and they started fighting!" Sam told me.
"So you didn't start anything, you were just defending yourselves." I said.
"Yeah, but Dad isn't going to see it that way." Dean said glumly.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"We're not supposed to fight. And if we get in trouble at school, we get in trouble at home." Dean said.
"I don't want a spanking!" Sam whined.
"I know Sammy. I'll try and convince him that it's my fault. I was just defending you." Dean put his arm around Sam's shoulders.
"But it started 'cause of me, an' you wouldn't have gotten in trouble if it wasn't for that!" Sam looked up at him.
"Yeah, but Sammy, you're my little brother, and I'll always defend you, you know that."
Sam hugged Dean. "I love you Dean. You're the best big brother ever."
"Do you boys want a snack?" I asked them.
Sam shook his head. "My tummy is nervous."
They sat at the table trying to do their homework but I could tell that they were both distracted. We heard the Impala at the same time, and both boys sat up straight.
Mr. Winchester came in the door with a serious look on his face.
"I just got a call from the school." he said, putting his hands on his hips.
"Both of you, boys? Really?"
Sam and Dean looked at the table guiltily. Mr. Winchester waited a moment, then said, ""Sam, report."
Sam got out of his chair and stood up in front of his father, putting his hands behind his back. I noticed that his hands unconsciously covered his bottom.
"Uh, Tommy was bothering me, so I said leave me alone an' pushed him, an' then he pushed me back but it was a really hard push and I fell off my seat onto the floor. An' some of the kids laughed at me! Then Dean told him to lay off and he jumped on Tommy and they started hitting each other." Sam stared at the floor, shifting his weight back and forth from one leg to the other. At the end of the speech there were tears on his eyelashes.
"Dad, it's my fault." Dean said. "I should have been sitting next to Sam, Tommy likes to bother the younger kids on the bus."
"Dean, I appreciate you trying to take up for your brother, but you both played a part in this, and I think you know that you are both in trouble. I want you boys to go to your room and wait for me. I'll deal with you in a little bit."
"Dad, I don't want a spanking." Sam said.
Mr. Winchester looked at him, and said sternly, "Samuel, room. NOW."
Sam turned to me and gave me a quick hug, and then he ran after Dean, who was already trudging through the living room with his head down.
Mr. Winchester sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. "I know this is part of life with boys, but sometimes I really hate having to dole out consequences." He looked at me with a rueful expression on his face. "I'll see you tomorrow, Kate."