"Oh my God, don't these people have any self respect" Sam laughed at the t.v. "I mean seriously; does this guy really think he can sing? He couldn't carry a tune in a bucket! Now that girl earlier in the show, she was pretty good. What was her name again? Kelly, Kelly Clark something? Now she could blow"!
"Oh, O.K., Randy". Dean said flatly. "Seriously Sam, don't you have homework or something to do? Dad's going to be home soon and he's going to kick your ass if he sees you in front of the t.v. and your homework isn't done. Then he'll kick my ass for letting you watch t.v. before your homework was done; and then I'm going to have to kick your ass for gettin my ass kicked so do both our asses a favor and go do your homework".
"O.K., just one more audition, this girl looks hot"!
"Sam"!
"O.K., sheez, I'm goin, bossy. You're worse than dad".
"Hey, that's Mr. Bossy to you, kiddo". Dean watched as his younger brother slid slowly off the couch and shuffle down the hall towards their room. "Kids" he snorted plopping himself down on the couch. "You're right about one thing Sammy boy, she is hot! Hello, sweetheart, let's hear what you've got"!
Dean had always secretly dreamed of singing career. Not that there was a chance in Hell that he could ever follow through on that dream or any other dream for that matter. No, he was a Hunter, part-time mechanic and Sammy's full-time protector. That was that and it wasn't up for negotiation. At least not with his dad anyway. Dean sighed listened to the girl. Her pitch was off and she was singing through your nose. Damn, he thought, bet I could get to Hollywood.
Just then the door opened and in walked John Winchester, looking very tired from a long day of working on cars.
"Hey Dad" Dean said not looking away from the t.v. "How was the shop"?
"Hey kiddo. O.K., busy as usual. Where's your brother"?
"Doin his homework, of course; been in there for hours" Dean said flashing his best smile. "I run a tight ship around here".
Yeah right, Dean was such a crappy liar, always had been. John could see right through his oldest son. "Whatcha watchin"?
"Nothin, just some singing show Sammy was watch..." Dean's voice trailed off as he realized what he just said.
"Tight ship, huh" John asked sarcastically. "Can't bullshit a bullshitter Dean; remember that.
Dean flushed. "Yes Sir. So, uh, any word on the Demon"?
"Yeah, actually Bobby left me a message today" John said grabbing a beer from the fridge and sitting himself next to Dean on the couch. "Based on the pattern looks like it's headed our way. I told the boys at the shop that I'd be takin a couple days off. Feel like fillin in for me during the day while I'm gone"?
"At the shop? Aw, come on dad, you need our help on this one. You can't go after the Demon by yourself".
"I'm not. I'll have Bobby and Caleb with me".
Dean jumped to his feet. "Bobby and Caleb? What about me and Sammy? What the hell are we suppose to do? Sit here with our feet up waiting for you to come home God knows when? We're not a freakin kids anymore dad. I've been hunting with you for years. We need to be a part of this".
John placed his beer on the table and ran his fingers threw his hair before standing up to address his son. He was already tired and now he was angry due to Dean's outburst but his voice was controlled.
Dean immediately looked at the floor and started to shift uncomfortably. Crap, he'd cross the line and he knew it. No matter how old he was, when John was mad at him, he always felt about 5 years old and that's exactly how John treated him.
"You, young man, are going to remember to whom you are speaking to. Sammy is going to go to school and you are going to fill-in for me at the shop during the day. In the evening, you are going to watch over your brother and ensure that he stays on track and does what he's suppose to which will be easy for you to do since your butt is not to leave this house under any circumstance other than work until I return. Are we clear"?
No, Dad, we're not clear. You're never clear, Dean thought to himself. One day you insist that Sam and I drop everything to go on a hunt with you and the next day you insist that we stay home. One day you're apologizing for getting us involved in your relentless quest for revenge and the next minute you're screaming at us for being selfish and wanting to follow our own dreams.
"Crystal" Dean said breaking himself out of his inner thoughts.
"Excuse me"? John asked folding his arms and leaning in towards Dean.
"Yes sir; we're clear".
"Good, that's what I thought. Now turn this crap off and go to bed. I need to get an early start tomorrow and you need to be at the shop by 7AM". John turned towards the t.v. "God, just look at this guy making a damn fool out of himself in front of millions of people. What a stupid waste of time".
"Dad, it's like only 8:30 and besides, I think this guy is pretty good" Dean protested.
"Dean" John was starting to loose his patience. It had been a long day and he was tired and hungry. He knew a quick way to get his son to move. "You've got to the count of three".
Dean was floored. "You're joking right? This is a freaking joke".
"One"
"Dad, I'm 20 years old. You can't treat me like this".
John just shot Dean a look that said just because you're 20 doesn't mean you're above being punished. My house, my rules.
"Two".
Dean stared at John in utter disbelief. He was almost positive that John was just making an empty threat. It had been years since the last time John "counted down" to him. Still, with John you never knew. The man was so damn hard to read.
"Two and a half"
Dean decided he didn't feel like pressing his luck. "Un freaking believable" he muttered as he turned and quickly stormed down the hall.
John was sure if looks could kill he would be dead on the floor by now. Dean was getting too old to be treated like that and John knew it. Old habits were hard to break though and shoot, it worked. He heard the door slam and Dean shouting at Sammy to get out of his way. He rolled his eyes and sighed "Kids".