Thank you all so much for the reviews -I loved them. They make me very happy.

The idea for Carissa's family is that they are old fashioned. Very old fashioned. Mostly from Alver's influence. So that explains her attire. (Daniella makes too much of a fuss quite often, so she gets her way, which is why her attire is so different)

Have a great day!

Family Reunion

Even Dean was unable to not notice the large house that they drove up to, with its long winding driveway and balconies and tree lined yard, it stood out quite distinctly. According to the card Beatrice had given him, this was the correct address. He parked the Impala and got out, heading towards the door. An old woman greeted him and Sammy at the house, her thick black hair heavily streaked with gray and her face wrinkled from age.

"You must be Carissa's friends," she said, looking between them. She smiled at Sam, "And you must be her boyfriend. I'm Faya Corwin, her mother," she added.

"You have a lovely house," Dean remarked, and from what he could see of the interior it was large and spacious with expensive furniture.

"Thank you," she replied happily. "Please, please come on in."

Carissa was standing at the door, looking awkward and uncomfortable. She fidgeted irritably in a skirt that someone had to have forced her into. It was pale pink with a floral design –there was no way she would have worn it on her own. A white blouse with matching buttons to the skirt only made it worse. It was far too feminine for her and made her look innocent. Which was a word that he would never choose to describe her. Suspicious, guilty, charming maybe. Never innocent.

Dean took off his shoes, and his coat, setting them where Faya directed. Sam followed suit. Carissa led them into the living room, apologizing quietly for her mother who had to go take care of supper. She stopped short of the couch, and an older man was rising to his feet. He had a leathery face with stern lines on them, and whispery gray hair that had to have been blonde once upon a time. He stood up straight that man, with an intense sort of gaze, his hard gray eyes meeting Dean's.

"Nice to meet you boys," he said, thrusting his hand towards them. He was only a couple inches shorter than Dean.

"Dean Winchester," he said shaking the man's hand. He had a very firm grip.

"Sam Winchester," his brother replied, also shaking hands.

The old man took his seat, indicating for them to do the same. Sam reached for Carissa's hand comfortingly before sitting down. "Alver Corwin," he told them, reaching for a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it up. He grinned, his teeth un-yellowed, probably from good dentistry. "New habit I picked up after I quit drinkin'."

Carissa settled on the couch between Dean and Sam with a rustle of her skirt, avoiding direct eye contact with her father. She certainly seemed on edge. He noticed then that she too was sitting properly. He tried to think of a time when he could remember her slouching, but he'd never given it much notice before.

"So what do you boys, uh, do?"

"Mechanic."

"I'm going to be a lawyer."

Alver paused, looking at Sam rather skeptically. "That's… mighty good. Eli, my boy, he's going to be a prosecutor one day."

A series of thumps came from the stairs, and a younger girl stood there nervously. "Father…"

"Daniella, meet Dean and Sam Winchester. This is Daniella, she's my youngest. Just turned fifteen."

She looked it too. Her dirty blonde hair was tied back in a plait that hung over her shoulder. She was wearing a vibrant red, low cut sweater with a short red and black plaid skirt and black tights. It was a humorous contrast between her and Carissa. That teenager probably had most of the boys at her school wrapped around her little finger. She waved towards them, not saying anything before she stalked off into the kitchen. Carissa hadn't even reacted to her sister's presence.

"She's a little shy sometimes," he told them, chuckling. "Oh! And this is Eli, my boy! Meet Dean and Sam Winchester," he said, indicating the guests.

Eli looked around twenty years old, clean shaven with a lean build. He probably played a sport of some kind. He was actually wearing normal clothes. Plain blue jeans and a jersey shirt, something a kid seen on the street might be wearing.

"Hey," he said, reaching to shake their hands. His shake was lighter than his father's, obviously not someone trying to test their strength or anything. "Bea just called, said she'd be here shortly." He looked at Carissa and smiled, "She was really glad you came."

Dean was shocked when she didn't roll her eyes. She smiled tightly instead, "Always happy to be home," the strain in her voice gave it away about how unhappy she was to be here. But she'd wanted them to come, and here they were, and she was set to go through with the entire thing. According to Sammy anyways.

Eli took a seat on the vacant love seat and Carissa sat up abruptly. "Can I get you anything?" she asked, looking between Dean and Sammy.

"I'm fine thanks," Sam replied.

"A glass of water would be great," he admitted, wondering what smart ass comment she'd fire back at him. She had asked though.

But she didn't say anything and instead just got to her feet and headed out to the kitchen. Alver waited until she had reentered the room before he said anything. "It's always been a real fight to get that girl in a skirt –she's never worn a dress. It always saddens me that she can't be more feminine."

Carissa handed Dean his water and he was mildly surprised to notice the floating ice cubes, and she sat down beside him and Sam again. She didn't say anything to her father's comment either. Dean took a refreshing sip of his ice water. "I think Carissa's feminine in her own way," Sam stated.

Dean snorted and shook his head. Carissa eyed him darkly for a second before breaking into an uncharacteristic grin.

"You're good at giving answers that a girl wants to hear. Is your brother a womanizer, perchance?"

Dean laughed, "Sam is the farthest thing from a womanizer, in fact, he's almost a woman himself." Sam glared at him.

Alver laughed and the door bell rang at that moment. Carissa got to her feet and swiftly headed to the door, allowing her sister in. She was a buxom woman with a white coat lined with faux fur. "It's so great to see you Cari!"

Had that been why Sammy had started callin' her that? Dean looked towards her, smiling and she winked flirtatiously as she pulled off her jacket and removed her hat, blonde curls spilling around her shoulders. "Where did you meet these two handsome friends? Surely not in the nuthouse?" Her manner was half teasing, and her blue-gray eyes twinkled.

"You are very beautiful," he told her, noticing the shapely curve to her body.

"Why thank you," she said, batting her eyes at him. Carissa muttered something incoherent.

"Supper is ready," the youngest sister said, standing at the kitchen doorway before disappearing back in.

Dean made his way towards the oldest sister, offering his arm like a gentleman. "You have such strong arms," she fawned. "How'd you ever meet Cari?"

"Just chance, leading me to you I'm sure."

"What do you do for a living?" she asked, running her hand along his arm.

"I'm a mechanic."

She giggled, "I'm a dance instructor."

"What would I have to do to get instructions?" he ignored Sam who was shaking his head.

"You'd just have to ask."

They entered the kitchen, and Beatrice guided him to where he would be sitting. It seemed oddly formal. Alver sat at the head of the table, his wife to the right and Beatrice sat beside her with Dean sitting beside the dancer. Eli sat on his father's left, Daniella beside him and then Carissa and Sam. Everyone fell silent, and Alver shifted to sit up straighter than he already was and he folded his hands against the table, beginning to say Grace. Dean kept his mouth shout, and he noticed that Carissa was only mouthing the words. Beatrice nudged him when they said amen and he smiled charmingly at her.

"Now then everyone, don't you all fill yourselves too full 'cause I've made my very best apple pie," Faya said, passing the platter of carved ham towards Beatrice.

The oldest sister noticed his interest, as she set a few slices of ham on her plate, "I have the recipe," she said joyously.

The plates passed around, one after the other, delicious smell after scrumptious scent wafting around. The ham was cooked perfectly, and the flavoring was delectable. The vegetables were even appetizing and healthy at the same time. Everything was just absolutely mouthwatering –it was easy to see where Carissa had gotten her cooking skill from.

Carissa was only picking at her food and her father seemed to catch on quickly. "Are you tryin' to adopt a model figure now? It's a bit late for that," Alver scowled.

"If you give me your number, I'll come by for lessons. And pie," Dean added, grinning. Carissa had to be chewing her tongue off by now.

Daniella snickered. "Are you going to get the ballet ones?"

Dean smiled at her, "I was thinking of something more grown up."

"I bet you'd look great in tights."

"Shush Danni!" Beatrice turned to him, "Though I do agree."

"Oh but you'd look much better."

"How long have you two been together now?" Faya asked Sam.

Sam looked at me for an answer, unsure of what to say. "A while," I responded vaguely. I didn't really want to be having this conversation.

"What do you do career wise?"

It always had mattered to them what someone did for a career and how much income someone made. I cared nothing for it!

"I'm going to be a lawyer."

My brother beamed, "I'm gonna be a prosecutor."

"And what've you been doing for a living child?" Alver asked me.

"Daycare worker," I responded tersely.

"Could've done better."

"She's great with kids," Sam stated.

"She once saved me and Danni from a bear at the lake," Eli interjected.

I smiled gratefully first at my boyfriend, and then my younger brother. So he still remembered that. "She's quite brave –I can see her putting herself in danger to save others."

"You should've seen her! She was about eleven I think, and there was this hungry bear in the bush. Danni was too young to even remember, but I could hear the rustling and I knew something was wrong. Before I could do anything though, this huge monstrous grizzly stood up and…"

I zoned out the rest of the story. I'd been there, done it and I remembered it all. It was nice to know that Eli still cared though. "...reat car," was the next conversations I picked up on. It was my mother talking to Dean.

"'67 Chevrolet Impala –your daughter hates it." It was just a pollutant. I failed to see how he missed the point.

"She never had an appreciation for them."

He chuckled, "It's not all that shocking. She doesn't look like a car girl."

Faya stopped cutting at her ham slice, before looking towards Dean, her blue eyes piercing. I waited for what she said next. "We thought she'd either end up a car gal, or a drug addict."

"I thought that with her temper she'd end up murdered," Alver remarked calmly, chomping down on a piece of lentil.

I stiffened and set my utensils down, my appetite failing me. I'd been too anxious to eat much anyways. Eli paused uncomfortably and Beatrice snorted. "They obviously don't know their own child," Sam muttered. I saw Dean's smile falter, even for the briefest moment. He had to be shocked to think that my parents would think so ill of me. Well, this was my life.

"We should have raised her better," Faya said mournfully.

I pushed my plate away from me, setting my napkin over top of it. I looked across to my mother, she was easier to look at. "Please excuse me," I murmured, rising to my feet. "I think I need some fresh air."

I didn't hear what Sam asked to be excused for, but he followed behind me. I didn't even bother to slip into my shoes, stepping socked foot down to the soft gravel of the driveway. Sam closed the door and stopped behind me. I took a deep breath of the air, my body shaking from the cool night air and anger.

"Do you want to leave?" he asked me worriedly, stepping down onto the gravel beside me. He put his arms around me, pulling me against him in a hug.

I held onto him tightly. "They're my family, I want to try."

"We can leave whenever you want."

I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. He smelled mintier today. "You smell good," I murmured against him, enjoying his warmth and comfort. I really hated skirts, and I was always cold if I was stuck in the awful things.

"Thanks," he chuckled.

"Should we go back in now?" I asked, looking up at him.

His soft brown eyes met mine. "If you want."

I set my head back against his strong chest. "I don't, but it feels like it's about time. I don't want Dean regaling my family with tales about me."

He grimaced, "That would be terrible."

Once Sam and Carissa had left the dining room, Daniella had passed Dean a note. The contents were quite simple. It read that Carissa was a devil child and the biggest regret of their parents. Dean read it quickly and jotted down with a borrowed pen that it was better than being a dependent brat before passing it back. There were a lot of things that Carissa was, but a devil wasn't one of them. She was not demonic, maybe a lunatic, but she wasn't a demon or anything related. Daniella burst into tears when she read the content.

Eli sighed, "Please forgive her, she's a bit of a drama queen."

Beatrice smiled adoringly at Dean. "I'm used to drama queens."

"This is such a lovely dinner," Alver remarked.

"Daniella! That is enough out of you!" scolded Faya, rising to her feet and grabbing dishes. "Get to your room!" The teenager fled the room in tears and Beatrice followed with an apology.

Eli looked over at Dean, "Welcome to the Corwins," he intoned flatly. "It's why I like university."

"How is it?"

"Great. Being captain of the lacrosse team, the girl fans are a great benefit."

"They're always a bonus," Dean agreed, grinning.

"Did you play any sports?"

"I'm more of a spectator."

"How'd you get the fans then?"

"You don't have to play sports for girls to worship you."

"Somethin' you learned growin' up?"

"Not somethin' ya learn, it's something you're born with."

"How did you realize…?"

"I've always sort of attracted people."

Eli nodded understandingly and Sam came back in to take his seat. Carissa was called into the kitchen before she'd even stepped into the dining room. Beatrice returned with a dramatic sigh, "Daniella's inconsolable," she announced. He offered her a wink, and she grinned back, passing him a card. "I hope I get a call soon."

"I'll call you," he promised, putting it into his pocket.

Faya had already cleared the table off but as conversation between people blossomed again, Carissa set the table and then brought out some ice cream. Her mother followed with a pie. Carissa handed her father the knife for the pie and then took her seat. Alver cut up the pie and served a piece for everyone, save for Carissa who passed on it. She accepted a small scoop of vanilla ice cream instead. When the pie came towards Dean, he took the last piece of it with a healthy scoop of ice cream.

It was one of the best apple pies he'd ever had. And when Faya asked, he told her just that. Sam agreed, as did everyone present. She smiled happily around at people. "Our guests are so kind," Alver remarked and Dean noticed that Beatrice had stiffened beside him. "Politeness can be used as a mask," he continued.

"I think it's time to go," Carissa said, rising to her feet.

"Men who try to please women are not manly enough. A real man, well he has plenty of obedient women," Alver growled, setting his napkin on the saucer.

Sam rose to his feet, his intimidating height silencing the forced chatter between Faya and her son. "Any man that believes the amount of women he has reflects on how manly they are needs to realize that times have changed."

Dean also got to his feet, aware that it was better to go before a fight broke out. "Dinner was lovely, and dessert was simply spectacular."

"Lovely to see you again Carissa," Faya said, waving tearfully, as they shuffled towards the living room, "it was a pleasure to meet your friends."

"It's a different world and religion," Alver grumbled. Beatrice looked to Dean hopefully, but before she could say anything her old man continued. "I'd like to have a few words before you leave," he told Carissa.

Carissa reluctantly returned to the dining room, where her father was still seated. Beatrice looked between them, "If you're ever in Winston you should drop by again," she said warmly before throwing her arms around Dean.

He hugged her back, "It would be my pleasure to stop by next time I'm in town."

"It was a pleasure to meet you," Sam told them, pointedly ignoring Alver.

Carissa strode back into the living room angrily; her hand on the knob and her clothing in hand before she'd even said anything to her family. She offered a hasty farewell before slipping out the door, and making her way to the Impala. Sam followed after her, and Dean paused on the steps, dawdling. Beatrice grinned at him, before she closed the door.

"Are you okay?" he could hear Sammy asking her.

She shook her head, her ponytail swinging. She turned to Sammy then, hugging him tightly. "Thank you for being here. I wouldn't have been able to do this without you."

"No problem," Sam replied gently. "I'd do anything for you."

She clung to him a moment longer before stepping away. She looked back at Dean and he made his way from the porch, glad they'd finished their touchy feely moment. He wasn't sure how much longer he could have stood it. "Thank you," she said, moving towards his Impala.

Dean nodded and offered her a genuine smile as he unlocked his car. The two lovebirds paused to enjoy the fresh night air and he started his Impala.

"I don't think I could be happier to be leaving," Carissa stated. Sam nodded in agreement.

"It wasn't all bad. Beatrice was great."

"You make a great optimist," she replied scathingly.

"Can you bake like that?"

"If I really wanted, but Bea can make it even better."

"Beatrice seemed to really like you," Sam remarked with a chuckle.

"Hey, you can be another ring on her finger. She's been married four times now I think, and she's gotten a laaarge sum of money from her exes."

"What happened to them?" he asked, intrigued.

"One died in the war, another cheated, one was locked in jail for murder I think, and her last hubby went sky diving and died."

"She's had quite a colorful past."

"She's always been one to attract male attention and then sometimes disregard it in the same moment."

"Her and Dean sound like a perfect match."

"Yup."

"Whatever, she's hot and she can move."

Carissa scoffed, "Can you not talk about my sister that way?"

Dean laughed in response, "It's the truth.

She shook her head in further disgust. "If she kills you it's your fault and I'm not holding her responsible," his brother stated bluntly.

She muttered something darkly and he laughed at her. "Once I get my knives back, you should watch your back."

He laughed harder and Sam sighed. "You're just going to make it worse."

"I wish I had a knife."

"Sorry."

"I'll think about forgiving you."

Dean smiled.