Happy Halloween, SPN Family! Here's a fun little ditty that the wonderful, talented, and all around kick ass Jenmm31 and I wrote a part of years ago. However, I'm a dumbass and couldn't find the original, so this is a reworking of Jenmm31's fabulous dialogue for a particular character from my memory. Anything funny that happens in this story is all her.
My apologies- I never replied to the last reviews. I know I'm the worst. Things have been bad lately, but they're getting better. Just in time for the end of the series...ugh. I'm not even close to ready. I'm sure you all can relate.
Well, enough of my personal therapy session. Here's a story ;) Stay safe, please wear your masks and wash your hands. Love you bitches and jerks and idjits and assbutts.
A/N- in this story, Natalie is 5 and in kindergarten in Sioux Falls. Please see profile page for disclaimers.
Dean just stood there with his mouth hanging open while the shit-eating grin spread across Sam's face.
"You…did…what now?" Dean asked in a carefully controlled voice, keeping a firm grip on his rage.
"Dean, you know every parent is required to volunteer once throughout the school year," Sam answered, turning his head away because he knew he couldn't hide his smile from his brother. But Dean wasn't interested in hearing Sam's explanation.
"You did WHAT now?!" he roared again at his little brother.
"Dude, it's not gonna be that bad. Just suck it up and get it over with."
"Sam, you signed me up to work at the kindergarten Fall Festival, and you're seriously telling me to SUCK IT UP?!"
"Would you take it down a notch?" Sam said, turning back around, holding his hands out to Dean. "Like I said- every parent is required to volunteer at one school function a year. It was part of that beginning of the school year orientation that we went to. You know this."
"Of course I know that!"
"The school called Bobby to ask if you wanted to do it. I called them back and told them you would."
"And you just thought that was okay without even talking to me first?!"
"You would have said no."
"Of course I would have said no, Sam, it's a freaking fall festival at a SCHOOL!"
"Dean, did you think that they were just gonna magically forget your obligation when you didn't show up for anything all year?"
"No. I was gonna make YOU do it."
"Ha ha," Sam replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "Look. It's two hours. That's it- only two hours. Chances are you're just gonna have to sit behind a table and make sure that no one dies. Then you and Natalie can spend some time together there. There's gonna be games, face painting, and apparently a lot of candy. Natalie will love it, and you'll fulfill your obligation in one swoop. It's a slam-dunk. You should thank me for going behind your back and signing you up."
"I'll break my foot off in your ass, that's how I'm gonna thank you."
*SPN SPN SPN*
The next night, Dean begrudgingly pulled Baby into the school's parking lot. The building was lit up from within. He could see fake jack-o-lanterns in the window with smiling happy faces instead of the cool-as-hell terrifying ones. Of course. It was kindergarten, and a real jack-o-lantern might be too scary for these precious little angels. Dean snorted under his breath, cognizant of the hyper, bouncing five-year-old in the backseat. He plastered on his fake smile and turned around.
"Alright Squirt," he said. "You ready to get your Festival on?"
"YEAH!" she shrieked, throwing her hands up in the air. "Miss Benson said that there would be lots and lots of candy here, so the way I see it, this night is gonna be awesome," Natalie said seriously, nodding her little head.
Dean chuckled. "Well, I sure hope so. C'mon, hop out." Upon getting permission, Natalie unbuckled her seatbelt and opened her door. Shutting it carefully, she skipped around to Dean's side of the car. Normally being at school was the worst thing ever, but since her daddy was here, it was easier to take. He held his hand out to her, and she gleefully took it, hopping back and forth and swinging it around as they made their way towards the entrance.
"So what's your game plan tonight? You gonna stick with your old man while he's being tortured, or you gonna go play with your friends?" Dean asked Natalie, watching her swing herself around holding his hand. Natalie stopped swinging and made a face at him.
"I wanna stick with you," she said. "The other kids here are SO dumb," she moaned dramatically.
Dean sucked his lips into his mouth and closed his eyes for a second. He wasn't supposed to encourage this kind of behavior in her- or so Sam said- but dammit, it was funny when she said stuff like this. But if he laughed once, it'd be over. Natalie would never stop calling the other kids dumb, if only to make Dean laugh. So he swallowed his mirth and gave a gentle tug on her hand.
"C'mon now," he said lightly. "No calling the other kids dumb."
"Fine," she said, rolling her eyes. "But I don't wanna hang around them. What are you gonna be doing here at the festival?"
"Damned if I know. Probably protecting everyone from puddles of vomit, finding lost kids, trying not to get sucked into working a bake sale or some crap like that."
"Ugh, yeah, that's totally torture," Natalie said, her little voice lively with disdain. Dean grinned. Hell, maybe this wasn't going to be so bad. He'd been missing his daughter something fierce on this last case, and if he had to go to some dumb school function to spend time with her, he could make peace with that.
As they walked up the steps to the school, Natalie let out a sigh. "Aren't these decorations stupid?" she muttered so only Dean could hear. "I mean, come on. Jack-o-lanterns aren't SUPPOSED to look happy. And look at that!" she said, pointing up. "Even the bats have smiley faces." She looked supremely insulted. "Bats don't smile!"
Dean smiled at her with obvious pride. "You are truly my daughter," he said. Natalie grinned back at him and commenced swinging his hand gleefully. Their joy was short lived, however, as they stepped into the noisy gymnasium.
"Oh my god," they muttered in tandem under their breaths.
It was like the dorky side of Spirit Halloween had exploded. Everywhere you looked, there were blow up plastic grinning black cats, owls, and bats with sparkly orange feather boas draped around their necks. Giant fake hay bales with smiling happy scarecrows jammed into them decorated the narrow aisles. There were roughly a million tables covered in crayons, cheesy kid games, and some unidentifiable substance that looked like ectoplasm. Small fry ran around, screaming joyfully in a sugar-induced free-for-all. Parents chased after offspring while wearing cat ears or shirts that said 'This is my costume', while looking simultaneously furious and exhausted. The miasma of old socks, body odor, and vomit underneath the fake blasts of cinnamon and pumpkin-spice-whatever was nauseating.
Dean let out a slow breath. He was going to KILL Sam.
*SPN SPN SPN*
Dean looked at his watch. Only ten more minutes to go, thank God. It was exactly what Sam had said- the assistant principal had stuck him behind a table, helping parents sign up for future goings-on at the school and keeping an eye on his general surroundings. Natalie stayed close him the whole time, offering hilarious commentary on the action around them. He felt a bit guilty about that. There were lots of games, coloring tables, even a lot of delectable looking treats around, but Natalie hadn't shown any interest in them if Dean wasn't right beside her. The festival was going on for an hour past this- he'd take her around and see if there was anything she wanted to do during that time.
Just then, a tall woman with dark red hair approached the table. She looked familiar, but Dean couldn't place her. Great legs, though. She walked right up to them and smiled warmly at Natalie.
"Well, hey you two," she said in a voice that was both kind and surprisingly shaky.
"Hi, Miss Benson!" Natalie chirped, giving a pleasant smile to the lady. Ah, that's where Dean knew her from. This chick was Natalie's teacher. He hadn't remembered her being this pretty, but to be fair, he'd blocked out most of that torturous first week of school from his mind.
"Hi, Natalie," Miss Benson replied, before turning to Dean. "It's good to see you, Mr. Winchester," the teacher said, the slight tremor returning to her voice.
Without even consciously thinking about it, Dean's charming smile spread across her face. "Naw, call me Dean," he said. "I don't do the 'Mr. Winchester' thing," he teased. He was pleased to see the slight blush that crossed the lady's face.
"Okay then, Dean," Miss Benson said, her voice getting a bit higher and betraying her nerves.
Hm. This was interesting.
"Your time's almost up, and I really hope…you get to enjoy the festivities for a while afterwards," she said, more color stealing into her cheeks. "Make sure you grab a candy bag on your way out, Natalie!" Before Dean could say anything, she turned on her heel and walked off. Dean watched her as she beat a retreat around the corner.
He tugged on his chin for a moment, thinking. He'd been around the block enough to notice when a woman was turned on by him. Hell, maybe this evening could be even more entertaining than he thought. Once the plan settled into his mind, he leaned down towards his daughter. "Hey Squirt," he whispered, the grin slowly spreading across his face. "You wanna have some fun?"
*SPN SPN SPN*
Nicole Benson subtly checked her watch. Only fifteen more minutes to go, and the festival was over. She loved her job as a kindergarten teacher, but having to come in on a Saturday to try to pull off a massive fundraiser while still being in full teacher mode was draining. Luckily, time was almost up and she could go home. Alone. Again. Just like every other night. Yippee.
At least tonight had been successful, thank goodness. And it had been enlightening to meet and see some of her kids' parents outside of a normal school day. However, the one parent she couldn't get out of her head was Natalie's father, Dean. Nicole felt herself blushing just thinking about him, and his perfect jawline, those emerald green eyes, that bad boy scruff…she shook herself and took a deep breath. Now was not the time to be thinking about things like that.
To her surprise, Natalie herself suddenly darted into the teacher's path, looking scared. It startled Nicole for a moment, especially considering what she'd just been thinking about, but her Teacher Mode switched on almost instantly. "Natalie?" she asked kindly, stretching out her hand to the little girl. "Are you alright?"
The child looked up, her eyes wide with fright. "Miss Benson!" she shrieked in a tone that Nicole had never heard before. Natalie wasn't one to get scared easily. "Miss Benson, can you please help me?" Natalie begged, reaching out towards her hand. That also surprised the teacher. Natalie never wanted or seemed to need help.
"Of course I can, sweetie," Nicole said, getting a bit nervous. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"
Natalie shook her head. "I can't find my Daddy anywhere!" she replied, her big green eyes welling up. "I just looked and looked and I just was with him and now I can't find him anywhere!" As if to demonstrate, Natalie wildly looked around, little whimpers of fright escaping her.
Nicole took a deep breath. She could deal with this. Squeezing Natalie's hand gently, she spoke in her most soothing tones. "It's okay, Natalie. I'll help you find your daddy. It's not a terribly big place- we'll find him in no time, okay?" Natalie sniffed mightily and looked up into Nicole's face with gratitude and adoration. That completely threw the teacher, as she was used to Natalie looking at her as something simply to be endured. "Now where was the last place you saw your dad?"
"I think it was over there," Natalie said, pointing towards the corner of the gym with all the food. "We were just looking at stuff and I don't know what happened and I can't lose him, Miss Benson, because he's the best daddy in the whole world and he's really super strong and a good driver and he takes the best care of me ever and he smells like a forest and-"
"Do-don't worry, Natalie," Nicole broke in suddenly, stopping the stream of words flowing from the child's mouth with a stammer. She so could not think about Dean Winchester smelling like the forest right now. She smiled her kindest smile at the frightened little girl. "We'll find him. C'mon, let's go."
For all her fright, Natalie suddenly seemed to have a good sense of direction. She tugged on Nicole's hand, leading her down one path and then another on the way to the back corner of the gym. However, the more she thought about it, wasn't it more surprising that Dean had somehow lost Natalie? He was one of the most overprotective parents she had ever met. So how…But before she could finish that train of thought, Dean himself suddenly appeared at the end of the aisle. He locked eyes with his daughter and sped towards them.
"Natalie!" he hollered, dropping to his knees in front of them and gathering the child in his arms. Natalie threw her arms around his neck, holding on tight. "Hey, hey, it's okay, I'm here. Are you okay?" Dean asked, leaning back to look his daughter in the face. "Are you hurt? What happened?"
"I don't know, Daddy," she said, shaking her head. "I just looked up and I didn't see you anywhere and I got really scared." Dean crushed her back to his chest.
"It's okay, I've got you, I'm not going anywhere," he murmured consolingly to her, smoothing her hair back. His eyes suddenly darted up, seeming to see Nicole for the first time. "Miss Benson, thank you, oh my god, thank you."
"It was nothing. I'm just so glad that we found you so quickly," Nicole said, feeling the flush in her cheeks again and hating herself for it. Dean stood up, Natalie in his arms, and smiled his charming smile at the teacher. She literally felt her knees go weak.
"It's not nothing," Dean said firmly, but kindly. "Thank you for helping my baby girl and getting her back to me. I really can't thank you enough. Please, can I…" he trailed off, looking around. His eyes landed on the caramel apple station. "Please, let me treat you to a caramel apple as a small token of gratitude."
"Oh, Mr. Winchester, I really shouldn't…"
"First off, it's Dean, remember? Second, I insist. It's the least I could do as a thank you. We'll join you, if you don't mind."
"Well…alright, Dean," Nicole said, her face definitely turning bright red this time. He didn't seem to notice however. He just flashed that disarming smile again and gestured for her to lead the way. She shyly tucked a lock of red hair behind her ear as she tried to walk as gracefully as possible towards the table, painfully conscious that Dean was walking behind her. She fervently wished she was wearing nice heels instead of the sturdy and reliable flats, but nights like this didn't lend themselves to high heels. They approached the table, and Dean stepped right up next to her. Unconsciously, she inhaled. Natalie was right- he did smell like a forest.
"One caramel apple please," Dean said to the woman behind the table in that silky smooth voice of his. He then turned and smiled at Nicole again. "You don't mind sharing, do you?" He looked at his daughter with a smile. "We're working on sharing right now."
Nicole was internally melting and trying to keep her composure, so she didn't see the side eye Natalie shot at her father or hear the quick "shh" coming from Dean's lips. "No, that's totally… that's really wonderful," the teacher simpered back before shaking herself again. She had to pull it together, otherwise she was going to end up a puddle on the floor in the gym. "It's really wonderful to see parents taking active steps towards valuable life lessons."
After a brief pause, Dean replied. "Uh-huh," he said hastily, before throwing on that signature grin again. The woman behind the table handed Dean the apple, which had been sliced up into sections for easier consumption.
"Don't eat too much, little lady," the caramel apple vendor said, directing her words at Natalie. "It's gonna be bedtime soon, and if you have too much sugar now, you'll be bouncing off the walls!"
Natalie went stiff as a board at the lady's words, but Dean laughed, bouncing his little girl up and down a bit to relax her. "That's okay," he said, grinning. He turned to Nicole. "It's Saturday night. We always sleep late on Sundays." He gave the teacher a roguish wink. She nearly combusted on the spot. He gestured to a section of chairs that had been set up and had been in a straight line at one point in the evening. "Shall we?"
"That would be yes," Nicole said, her words not making sense in her eagerness. But before she could mentally commit suicide over her little blunder, Dean turned and headed towards the chairs. He neatly sat down, expertly balancing Natalie with one hand so she was cradled on his lap while still holding the apple. Nicole sat on the same side as Natalie, unconsciously using the child as a buffer between herself and the very hot father.
Dean gave Natalie a meaningful glance. Natalie carefully wrapped her hands around the little paper holder the apple had been served in, then twisted around and held it out to Nicole.
"Here, Miss Benson, you get to pick the first piece," Natalie said sweetly. Dean beamed with pride at his daughter.
"Well, thank you Natalie- and that's good sharing," she added, referring to Dean's earlier comment. Her eyes darted to him to see if he'd noticed, and she was rewarded with another wink. Everything south of her navel clenched as she reached over and plucked a piece of apple, carefully.
"That's right, kiddo, that was excellent sharing," Dean praised, his eyes going back to Natalie. "Which one are you gonna pick?" he asked, taking the apple back from her so she could examine it. She tapped her finger against her lips for a moment, before reaching in and snagging a slice. She took a huge bite, immediately smearing caramel across her mouth.
"So, how long have you been a kindergarten teacher?" Dean asked politely, focusing back on Nicole.
Trying to daintily chew and swallow, Nicole replied. "For three years now. I did some work as a TA here at the kindergarten after school, so I already had a foot in the door when I applied." Her eyebrows went up with polite interest. "What do you do? I know that your work often takes you out of town, but I wasn't entirely sure what your job was."
"Oh, he's a-" Natalie began, swallowing the last bite of her apple slice, but Dean quickly held up another apple chunk to her.
"Here, squirt, chew on this," he said hurriedly. Natalie didn't need to be told twice. She snatched the caramel covered piece and shoved the entire thing into her mouth, chomping in delight. "I'm a mechanic for muscle cars," he replied smoothly. "I go around to various car shows and I work for some high profile clients, maintaining their classic vehicles." Natalie looked up suddenly, nodding in agreement, but her mouth was too stuffed to actually speak.
Nicole tilted her head with a knowing smile. Dean was caught a bit off guard- she was really cute when she did that. "Ah, yes, I noticed your gorgeous car before. A Chevy Impala, isn't it?"
Hm. A woman who knew her cars. Major brownie points for her. Dean's grin was very, very sincere this time. "Impressive," he complimented, not knowing that his smile was making her panties want to drop halfway to China. "Most people wouldn't know an Impala if it hit them on the street." He grinned that Han Solo-ish grin again, pleased with his pun.
"They should, 'cause it's the BEST car," Natalie piped up, inserting herself into the conversation while licking the caramel off her fingers. Dean smiled down at her.
"Da-arn straight it is, kiddo," Dean said. Nicole couldn't help but notice his strange pronunciation, but he continued speaking without missing a beat. "So if you ever have car trouble, feel free to give me a call," he said, winking at the teacher again. He held out the remaining pieces of apple to her, and she shyly took another one. He inhaled to ask her another question, but Natalie beat him to it.
"So, Miss Benson, you know how we were talking about people that we think are cool the other day?" she asked, looking Nicole right in the eye and smiling a charming smile of her own.
Nicole nodded, pleased that the little girl seemed to be getting something from her teaching. "Oh, when we were talking about people that we admire, yes?"
"Yeah, that. Did you know that my dad is one of the coolest people on the planet?"
Dean chuckled, waving his hand. "C'mon Natalie, knock it off," he said playfully. "She's gonna think I paid you to say that." Natalie turned in his lap and gave him a scolding look.
"But you ARE!" she insisted, before turning back to the teacher. "He's really really good with cars, and he wears the softest flannel shirts, and everybody likes him a whole lot."
"I'm sure everyone does," Nicole said, her voice going up an octave with nerves. "And does everyone…include…" She couldn't bring herself to say it. She wanted to be one of those cool girls who could ask if a guy was single, but she just simply couldn't do it.
However, Natalie could.
The child nodded vigorously. "Oh yeah, he goes out to bars with ladies all the time," she answered bluntly.
"More apple!" Dean interrupted, almost shoving a piece into his daughter's open mouth. Natalie squealed in delight, biting down with gusto. Once he was satisfied that Natalie's mouth was occupied, he grinned guiltily at Nicole.
"Sorry about that," he said, a touch of color stealing into his own cheeks. "Kids say the darnedest things, am I right?" Nicole bit her lip. It was now or never.
"Don't be sorry," she said shyly, her eyes hooded as she, finally and boldly, met Dean's gaze. "It's…good to know."
*SPN SPN SPN*
Sam heard the Impala pull into the front yard at about 9:15. He wasn't surprised- the Fall Festival ended at 9, and he knew that Dean would be desperate to get out of there. Putting a bookmark in his copy of Game of Thrones, he decided to meet his brother at the door to help Natalie bring in the candy she had surely conned out of everyone there. He opened the door to find Dean coming up the stairs, Natalie in his arms. "Oh good, Sammy, you're still up," Dean said by way of a hello.
"It's only nine fifteen, dude," Sam replied with a chuckle. Dean shrugged.
"Whatever. I need you to do me a favor."
"Um…uh, sure. Okay. What do you need?"
"Put Natalie to bed and keep an eye and ear out for her tonight. I'm going out."
"Wait-what?"
"Unca Sam, we did training tonight!" Natalie squealed, unable to keep her joy to herself any longer. Sam's confused eyes swung to her. "Daddy and I did role playing, which is where you pretend that something is happening that isn't happening to trick someone else, and I DID IT!"
"Hell yeah, you did, Squirt," Dean said proudly, bouncing her a couple times. "That line about me smelling like a forest? Genius."
"I know, right?"
"Wait- what is happening?!" Sam interjected loudly. Father and daughter's eyes both swung to him.
"Natalie helped me pick up her teacher tonight," Dean said, grinning to beat the band. "We did a little role playing where Natalie was lost and got her teacher to help find me. The kid was a regular Meryl Streep, man. Worked like a charm. And Sammy, this chick is gorgeous, I'm talking legs for days. I'm taking her out for a drink, right now, which is why I need you to watch the monkey for me." He made to hand Natalie to Sam, but Natalie patted Dean's arm urgently before Sam could do anything more than splutter as his brain tried to play catch up with Dean's sudden explanation of the night's events.
"Hang on!" Natalie shrieked indignantly. "You can't put me down yet. You owe me!"
Dean chuckled, looking at Sam. "Always the grifter, this one," he chortled. He withdrew a package of Skittles, Natalie's favorite candy, from his pocket and held it out to her. "Your Skittles, m'lady, as agreed."
"You said TWO bags if I talked you up after you found me, Daddy!"
"Ah ha, that's my girl," Dean praised her, producing a second bag from his pocket. "You remembered the details of the deal. Very important to remember the details of a deal, especially in hunting. Got it?"
"Damn straight!" Natalie said, snatching the bags. Sam was so flabbergasted he couldn't even scold Natalie for her language. Dean looked Natalie seriously in the face.
"Now remember. No Skittles tonight. You can have them in the morning," Dean reminded her patiently, before giving Sam a knowing eye. "You're welcome," he said sanctimoniously to his younger brother.
"Can't I just have a couple tonight?" Natalie begged, putting on the puppy dog eyes. Dean shook his head.
"You agreed no Skittles tonight, Squirt."
"Fine."
"Now be good for Uncle Sam, and I don't mean maybe. You hear me?"
"Yes, sir. You're gonna be back in the morning, right?"
"You bet your cute little butt I will be."
"Okay, then," she agreed, planting a big kiss on his cheek. Dean deposited her into Sam's arms.
"Night, Sammy. Don't wait up," he said with a wink.
Sam just stood there, holding Natalie, with his mouth hanging open while the shit-eating grin spread across Dean's face as he headed for the Impala.
