Chapter 1: My Substitute

I lay on my bed listening to my brother and father as they talked in the other room. I knew that the time for my conversation with Dad would come soon enough, but until then I just lay there wishing that he would let Dean off the hook this one time. But I knew that would not happen. Our family lived by a strict code of honor and discipline. Dad expected instant obedience, respect, and dependability; he knew that our very lives depended on it. I say expected, but it was demanded, and quick and thorough justice was handed out if any of the rules were broken. It wasn't that dad didn't love us; he did! We loved him too, but our lifestyle required more guidance and direction than a normal family. Dad was just the right person to provide that guidance and direction in a way that our mistakes were not usually made more than once. My former marine dad and his belt left a lasting impression that made us think long and hard before doing anything questionable in the foreseeable future.

Dad was always especially hard on Dean because he was the oldest, and because of that, more was expected of him. He was also our surrogate father when dad was away on hunts, and so he was expected to be a perfect example for Sam and me to follow. I always hated how harsh Dad was with Dean. Dean was my best friend. I loved Sam too, but Dean was special. He was always very patient with me, explaining things that I didn't understand, helping me with my reading and math, and protecting and comforting me when I was scared or upset. He had even occasionally taken the blame for things that Sam or I had done, and consequently received the painful punishment in our place.

I will never forget the time that I had forgotten to lock the doors on the Impala. Since I was usually the last one out of the car, it was my job to make sure that the doors were always locked. That day I had won a prize in school for getting the highest grade on the math test, and I was so excited to show dad my blue ribbon. In my excitement and haste, I forgot all about the doors. Unfortunately, as fate would have it, someone broke into the Impala that night and stole my dad's camera, binoculars, and lock pick. As soon as I heard my dad call my name in that fearsome tone of voice, I knew that I was in deep trouble, and my heart dropped into my stomach.

"Kellie! Front and Center!"

"Yes, Sir?"

"Isn't it your job to make sure that all of the doors are locked on the car when we come inside?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Well, they weren't locked last night, and someone stole my camera, binoculars, and lock pick. Do you know how expensive those things are? It could have been worse, too. They could have stolen the car, and then what would we do? We would be up a creek without a paddle."

"Oh, Dad. I'm sorry! I must have forgotten."

"Kellie, that is part of your responsibility. You know what happens when you break the rules. Go wait in your room. I'll be there in a minute, and we'll talk about this further."

"Yes, sir."

It was at that point that Dean stepped forward and said, "Dad, I think it was my fault. I needed to get something out of the car after we came inside. I must have left the car unlocked when I went back. I'm sorry."

I looked at Dean carefully. I didn't remember him going back outside to the car last night. I remembered that he had come straight inside, did his chores, worked on his homework, and then went to bed right after supper. He had said that he was so tired from basketball practice and needed some extra sleep because of an exam that he had the next day. Then I knew! Dean was taking the blame for something that I had done. I looked at him with pleading eyes, but he quickly gave me a quick and barely noticeable shake of his head. I knew that it was a point of no return. Dean had laid himself on the line to save me from a good whipping, and now he would get one regardless of the reason. If I told dad that it wasn't Dean's fault, he would know that Dean had lied. Dean would probably get a worse whipping for lying to dad and covering for me than he would for forgetting to lock the doors. So I remained silent. I was so grateful to Dean for taking this upon his own shoulders, but I also felt horrible as dad told him to go wait in his room.

I guiltily watched as dad walked back to Dean and Sam's room and shut the door. I stood stiffly and waited until I heard the first lash of the belt as it connected with Dean's jean-clad rear, and tears slid down my face as I heard Dean let out a slight "Ah!" after about ten licks. I knew this would not be the worst spanking that Dean would ever suffer, but the fact that he was willingly taking it for me, made me hate each and every stroke that much more. It wasn't until dad quietly opened the door a few minutes later that I realized that I had not moved from my original position. I quickly ducked my head, looked at my feet, and turned to walk back to my room. As I passed dad, he softly said, "You owe him one. Don't forget that."

I couldn't believe it; Dad had known all along! He knew that I was the one who forgot to lock the doors. He knew that Dean had lied to prevent me from getting a spanking. He knew that I had let Dean take the punishment for me without any protest. Dad knew that I was guilty and Dean was innocent, but he still punished him. I couldn't help but respectfully ask, "Then, Dad, why did you give Dean the whipping?"

"It was his choice. He made a choice to sacrifice himself for you. I wasn't going to take that away from him. I hope you realize how much Dean loves you. He is very protective of you; to the point that he would willingly take a whipping that he knew you deserved. In some ways, it was easier for him to bear the pain of the lashing rather than for him to endure the sounds of you getting a spanking. I hope this cements in your mind the relationship that you and Dean share. It is a very special one, and not one that should be taken for granted. I need to know that you, Sam, and Dean all have such a special bond; a bond in which you are all willing to sacrifice your wants for the needs of the others."

"Yes, sir."

"Kellie, I won't do this again. You must be responsible for your own actions. However, I thought this was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate a very important point. I hope you understand my intention.

"Yes, sir. I do."

"And Kellie, let's keep this just between you and me. Okay?"

"Yes, sir."

My thoughts were quickly returned to the present as I heard the familiar sound of leather smacking denim. I knew that my date with destiny was next, and I began to feel that uncomfortable sickness in the pit of my stomach. For now, all that I could do, was pray that dad would show some compassion on his three wayward children, but that wasn't likely. I knew that we had committed one of the worst offenses according to the rules of John Winchester, and I'm sure we were going to pay dearly.

This is my first fanfiction story! Please review. It would mean so much if you would let me know what you think. Should I continue the story?