Title: WHAT IS AND WHAT SHOULD NEVER BE

Author: Onthnis
Rating: T
Category: Gen. But this is an AU. So, if that is not your particular cup of tea-no worries.
Characters: Sam and Dean (of course). Mary and John a little later. If you look closely you will recognize other characters from the series but they are all kicken' it AU style.
Summary: And if I say to you tomorrow, take my hand, child, come with me. It's to a castle I will take you, where what's to be, they say will be. Our boys are not brothers. But they soon learn you don't need to be blood to be family.
Disclaimer/Author's Note: I have had this story on my hard drive for probably eight months. I keep thinking I will work on it and post it-but haven't. My husband is sick and I so am not a nurse. So, I am watching football and cleaning up this story for posting. These boys do not belong to me…they are a product of my really overactive imagination and maybe one too many non-fat upside down Venti Caramel Macchiato's. As another personal note: I write for myself…if you like it…you like it…if not…well, you probably have good taste.

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Running a quick hand through his short dark blonde hair, Dean Winchester hastened a quick glance in his car's rear view mirror, closed his eyes and blew out a very tired and frustrated sigh. This was not where he wanted to be. The house in front of him definitely not where he thought he would ever come back to. Yet, somehow, there he was back in a place he had sworn to himself he would never return. Before he opened the car door, the blonde angrily slapped the steering wheel. "Dammit." God knows this was swallowing a pride pill bigger than he had ever taken before.

In contrast to his very bitter mood, the morning outside had shaped up to be perfect. Not a cloud in the sky, the breeze gentle and lazy, the sun shining bright yet not too hot. If he didn't know any better he would have figured Mother Nature was almost mocking him, as if to give him the biggest cosmic raspberry ever. Life sucked.

Climbing the massive staircase of the monstrosity of a house, Dean took some steadying breaths. You need to calm down Winchester, he thought to himself as he tried to rein in control of all the emotions that seemed to overwhelm him. This was not the time and God knows it certainly wasn't the place to lose it. No, that was going to be saved for later. Much later. Once he blew through this meeting. Then he could let loose. Maybe, if he was lucky, he could manage to slip out of the house and break in the new fake ID he managed to acquire shortly before he landed back home.

Growling to himself once more the blonde stood before the towering front door and uncharacteristically lifted his wavering hand towards the daunting doorbell falling short of actually letting his fingers touch the demonic noisemaker. "Chill, dude. Just check your ego and your pride at the door." This was the best pep talk he could muster. "What am I doing here, what am I doing here? Face it Winchester you are about to be emasculated. Why am I doing this again? God, I hate this fucking place. Nothing ever changes. The rich get richer and apparently always feel the need to prove it while good old Dean ends up poor and unemployed. This sucks, this blows, and this bites! Dammit!"

Finally, he managed to hit the doorbell. Hearing the grand bells ring announcing his very bitter arrival.

An eternity seemingly ticked away as the young man shifted impatiently. From a distance he could hear as heels clicked steadily on the marble flooring. Without ceremony, a young woman opened the door. The visitor certainly not a surprise. The assistant ushered the young man in the foyer and sternly reproached the late newcomer.

"You have kept him waiting." Was all she could manage.

"I know, sorry. There was traffic."

"Save it Dean. I've known you forever. Please don't even try playing me."

Dean smiled slyly, a twinkle in his eye his only apology as he stepped closer.

"You know me to well, Julie Parker" He winked.

Shaking her head, she smiled and tried not to give in. Charmer. He had been that way all the way through school. She was four years older than Dean but knew nobody was ever really free of the charms of Dean Winchester.

"Mr. Warner hates to be kept waiting." She reminded him as she led him upstairs to the man's household office.

Dean cradled his forehead with his right hand absentmindedly at both his temples as he followed closely to the young woman and tried not to fall behind. "I know."

The long walk ended and Julie expertly turned on one heal like a prima ballerina.

"He's got fifteen minutes before his next meeting. Keep it short. Don't even try to turn on your "Winchester Charms." Save it. Just go in, sit down and hear him out."

Dean smiled and nodded his head. "You doing anything tonight?"

"Dean. This is important. He's doing this as a favor."

"I got it Julie, trust me. I already heard that sermon twice this morning."

"Dean? I'm just saying…"

"Does that mean you are busy tonight?"

"God, you are insufferable. We'll talk later."

Dean smiled and winked before he put his hand on the door handle.

"You want me."

Caught between a laugh and a sigh Julie shook her head and pointed to the door. "Go Dean!" smiling again she mouthed the words good luck as he opened the door and swallowed his Winchester Pride.

Reese Warner was a powerful man. Money, success, people all seemed to gravitate to him. His reputation as a ruthless businessman was legendary. At 43, he had accomplished what it took most men a lifetime to realize. It all came so easy. Almost too easy. Many thought he was an arrogant ass. Quite frankly, Reese didn't take into consideration what people really thought of him. He hadn't the time or the inclination to care. But say what you want about the man, he was fiercely loyal to those around him. This included family, friends and even his employees.

Some would say his allegiance to those around him could be dangerous. Certainly, someone would take advantage of his kindness or generosity. For Reese, it was easy. He wouldn't have gotten to where he was in life without the support, dedication and hard work of the people he chose to include in his world. You get as good as you give was a mantra he lived by. So far, it had never let him down.

Never let it be said, however, that he didn't at least challenge those around him. Wanting them to want more for themselves than even they considered. Setting goals and achieving them were Reese's stock and trade. He had no desire to associate with people who weren't willing to give more than 100 of themselves.

"Dean Winchester." Reese smiled warmly as he rounded his large cherry wood desk and held out his hand.

Dean moved quickly to meet Reese and shake his hand.

"Sir, it's good to see you."

"Please, Dean, take a seat on the couch." Signaling the young man to the Italian leather couch Reese took a seat on the matching leather chair.

" I heard you just returned home."

"Uh, yes sir, I just got home a few days ago."

Nodding his head, Reese studied the young man.

Feeling nervous under the scrutiny, Dean squirmed awkwardly on the plush leather. It felt like it was getting hotter as he sat. Sweat beading on his upper lip and undoubtedly starting to create a rather noticeable armpit stain. Great, he thought, this is starting well. Fidgeting again, Dean swallowed quickly and rubbed his palms together.

The wealthy man let the moment drag for a little longer, enjoying the youth's nervousness.

"So, Dean. You are eighteen, right?"

"Uh, no Nineteen, sir."

Reese nodded (he knew exactly how old the young man was). In fact, there really wasn't anything the businessman didn't know about the kid. "Yes, nineteen. Good age."

Dean nodded not really in agreement, more to just get the conversation going. If he didn't know any better he would have thought Mr. Warner was enjoying his distress.

Picking an imaginary errant thread from his designer shirt, Reese finally let the young man off the hook.

"Let me get to the point, Dean, I understand, you are need of employment. It had been my understanding you were enrolled in college. I don't think I need to be the one to point out what an important role a proper education is…." Reese continued on as Dean's attention span dwindled.

Dean had heard this speech ad-nauseaum for months. Since his return from school it had become a regular theme in the Winchester household. The virtues of a higher education repeated endlessly and without an end in sight. God, what is it with adults. They like school so much why don't they go back.

Seeing the young man starting to drift away, the tycoon finally let up. Certainly he had heard the education speech. "I'm sorry, for getting off track," looking at his watch he stood up and moved to his desk. Picking up an envelope he moved back and this time sat on the couch next to the young man.

"I think we might be able to help each other."