Chapter 18

The brothers had stayed at Bobby's for nearly a week before Dean found a hunt and decided to take it now that Sam seemed in better head space. Sam had been taking the time to look through any books Bobby had on psychic powers and was adding to his own growing book about the topic. He had talked to Bobby and showed him some of the things he could do. He wanted Bobby to understand him and was grateful that he wasn't treating him any different and had accepted him. This was one of Sam's biggest fears that the people he cared about and loved would not accept him as he was now and would turn their backs on him. He still had unsettling feelings about their father, but Sam was pushing them aside to concentrate on what he thought was important, learning to control the abilities he had.

Sam had let Dean read some of his book about when he was at the cabin and flexing his powers. He wanted Dean to be aware of things that he could do and hoped to use to their advantage. He was trying to be honest with him and told Dean if he had questions or something concerned him, they needed to talk it out. Dean had agreed that there shouldn't be secrets between them. The only way for this to work was if they both were open and frank with each other. He confessed to Sam that it did freak him out a little, but he was seeing Sam, himself, hadn't changed, he just got some kick ass abilities that would help in hunts.

The only thing that he really questioned was why Sam was keeping the beard. He teased him about it and thought he'd shave but was surprised that Sam kept it. Sam didn't want to get rid of it. He thought it made him look more mature and wiser than his young years. Dean finally gave up and started growing one of his own but kept it short. He figured he might as well join the club, with Sam and Bobby having beards now.

spn

Dean and Sam had left Bobby's place and drove half a day to a town a state over to check out a possible case. It ended up being a rouge vampire picking off pretty, young college students. They had tracked it down and while Sam held it in place, Dean took his head off. It was an easy kill with Sam's new acquired powers that pleased the brothers.

After the hunt was done, they were going to head back to Bobby's since it was nearing Thanksgiving. He wanted to give Sam a little normal in his life since it had been turned upside down. Dean wanted to let Sam have a family holiday, even if it was only them and Bobby. He was going to call their Dad and see if he wanted to join them, but honestly didn't think he would come. Sam was all for it and decided he would fix a traditional Thanksgiving meal for them with a turkey and the trimmings.

"How's the shoulder?" Sam asked Dean as they drove down the road toward Sioux Falls.

"Hurts a little, but I'll survive," Dean replied moving his left shoulder and wincing.

"Sorry I wasn't fast enough to stop the vamp from throwing you."

"You got nothing to be sorry 'bout. I've had worse and what you did saved us both a lot of scrapes and bruising."

"Are you going to call Dad about Thanksgiving?" Sam asked looking away as he said it so Dean wouldn't see the unease in his eyes.

"Yeah, but I doubt he'll come," Dean said. He could feel the tension coming off Sam and if he did get in touch with their father, was going to lay into him. He couldn't believe he would stay away this long and not contact them. Dean didn't understand John's actions and wanted to know his reasoning for not wanting to see Sammy. He was still his son and he should realize that.

"Don't worry Sammy, if he does come, I'm going to have a little heart to heart with him. Things will be okay. You don't have to worry about anything."

Sam caught his lower lip between his teeth and worried it wanting to say more but didn't think he could. He wanted to know one way or the other what their Dad thought and if he could handle having a son with powers. Knowing was better than stressing over not knowing.

"You sure you wanna try and cook bro?" Dean asked changing the subject. "I could just head into town and buy takeout for us."

"No!" Sam said adamantly. "I want it to be a real Thanksgiving meal. We deserve that after all the crappy ones over the years."

"Okay Sammy, I get it. When we get back, we'll head into town and get whatever you need. You better check Bobby even has the crap you'll need to cook in."

"I had planned on it. I remember seeing most of the things stacked away in one of the cabinets. I think it was too painful for him to use most of those things after his wife's death, and you know how he cooks."

"Yeah, can opener and whatever can he pulled from the cabinet," Dean chuckled remembering meals with Bobby growing up.

"Thanks Dean."

"Anytime bro."

spn

Dean's job was to push the cart around the store and follow Sam as he consulted a list and picked items up to go in it. Sam had always been a little OCD about things growing up and it was showing now. He crossed off the acquired items and went on to the next. Sam had done his research and printed out recipes, helpful hints, and directions to make a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Dean had not interfered in his work, thinking it was taking his mind off other things. When he saw something he wanted, Dean would add it to the cart when Sam wasn't looking. He swore Sam was getting enough food to feed a small army and wondered who he was cooking for. He thought he'd give Caleb a call to see if he was near and invite him to the meal. They had been on hunts with him in the past and became good friends over the years.

"Okay, I think I'm done," Sam announced as he marked the last item from his list and looked down at the cart.

"Thank you, god," Dean mumbled under his breath as he made a bee line for the checkouts. He was so over the crowds of people doing the same thing as they were and wanted to get home to the peace and quiet of the salvage yard. People were crazy this time of year and he had to stop short so not to plow down some woman who wasn't watching where she was going. "Get me out of this place…"

They made their way to the front and got in line to check out. All the lines were long, and everyone had a buggy full. Dean fidgeted as they stood there waiting their turn. He was glad to finally get out of the store and to the Impala. They loaded the trunk and headed back to Bobby's with a quick stop at a sub shop for lunch.

"Is Bobby's fridge going to hold all this stuff?" Dean questioned as they began to unload the trunk.

"Yeah, I cleaned it out while you were taking a nap yesterday," Sam replied looping bag handles onto his hands to take inside.

"So that was why Bobby was fussing so this morning when I came down. Something 'bout not being able to find anything."

"Part of the things in there were expired and others were science projects. I got him replacement items," Sam shrugged not thinking it was a big deal.

"I'll let Bobby know we brought food for a late lunch while you put away all this crap."

"And what about your crap?" Sam asked holding up a bag of peanut M&Ms and a car magazine.

"Those are essentials," Dean stated grabbing them from his hands and heading into the other room. He dropped them on the end table before continuing outside and toward the garage. "Hey, you at a stopping place? We brought some lunch."

"Gimme five more minutes," Bobby answered from under a car. "How's yer brother doing?"

"He seems pretty good. He's all fired up about having a real Thanksgiving. Bobby, I was thinking of calling Dad and asking him to come. You think that's a good idea?"

"Don't see why not son. He'll either come or not, but you have taken the first step here. John is a hardheaded dumbass for waiting this long to talk to you boys. I tried to talk some sense into him when he was here, but don't know if it did any good or not. I think he knows if he loses Sam, he's going to lose you too, so maybe he'll get the picture and come around."

"Okay then, I'll do it," Dean nodded stepping outside into the cold afternoon air. He pulled his cell from his jacket and pulled up his contact list to find the number. Dean hit dial and listened to it ring before going to voicemail. "Hey Dad…So, we're having Thanksgiving at Bobby's if you're near and want to come. We'll be eating around noon or so. You should come…Bye Dad." Dean ended the call and looked down at his cell as he let out a long breath. He had tried, but he didn't know if it did any good. Bobby was right, he reached out; now it was up to their father. He hoped Sam didn't get his hopes up about their Dad showing up because he knew it would put him in a funky mood when he didn't show.

"You ready Dean?" Bobby asked when he saw he had stopped talking. He wasn't going to ask about John because he knew Dean would talk if he wanted to.

"Yeah, let's go eat. I'm going to check the Impala over this afternoon. Maybe change the oil and rotate the tires."

"The end bay is free, do whatever you like."

"Thanks Bobby."

They went in the front door and separated, Bobby going to his bathroom to clean up and Dean heading to the kitchen to see what Sam was doing. He found him still putting away things and mumbling to himself about cooking times and what should be done first tomorrow. He was in his own little world, so Dean started setting out the food for lunch and getting drinks from the fridge that was now fully stocked. He wasn't sure how Sam had done it, but it looked like everything was squeezed into it.

"Sammy, you need to eat," Dean called to him, not getting a response. "Earth to Sammy, yo dude," he said a little louder while tossing a plastic fork at him.

Sam startled slightly and frowned for a moment as he pulled himself back to the present and looked at the fork laying at his feet. He bent down to retrieve it before giving Dean a bitch face for throwing it.

"You need to eat," Dean stated firmly. Sometimes it was like dealing with a four-year-old Sam when he had tuned everything else out around him and was in his own little world.

"Smells good," Bobby commented, ignoring the staring contest between the brothers. He had gotten use to their quirks over the years and let them do their thing. "C'mon on Sam, let's eat."

spn

Something rousted Dean from his sleep and he wiped his face before looking over at the bed across from him to see rumpled covers but no little brother. He listened but didn't hear anything in the bathroom and figured he was already downstairs working on their Thanksgiving meal. Deciding he might as well get up to see if he could help, Dean threw back the covers and pushed himself out of bed. He strolled to the bathroom to relieve himself and splash cold water on his face to get him going.

Dean heard music coming from the kitchen as he stepped into the doorway and faltered in his steps. Sam was standing at the counter with an apron on and his hair pulled back from his face and up in a ponytail. He had a whole turkey sitting in front of him. But what was really disturbing was Sam had one hand up the butt end of the bird and the other hand was doing something at the other end where the head should have been. Dean gagged when Sam pulled a small plastic bag out of the neck end and something, he didn't even want to know about out of the butt end of it. He dropped them into a bowl sitting nearby and used an elbow to move the papers that were lying nearby around trying to read them. Sam pulled the legs apart and looked into the empty body of the bird like he was inspecting it for some reason. He looked back at the pages as his brow wrinkled with puzzlement for a moment, and then back to the turkey.

"Man dude, that's just gross and disgusting," Dean surmised trying to decide what was more comical, Sam dressed like Betty Crocker or his hand up the turkey's butt. "Ummm…Sammy, you sure you know what you're doing?" Dean asked cautiously.

"I have directions," Sam replied holding his hand out in front of him like a surgeon that was ready to perform surgery. "I can follow directions. I think I can…Yeah, I think it's explained simple enough….I hope…."

"Where's Bobby?" Dean asked skirting around Sam and the bird to the coffee pot.

"Garage. He didn't want to get in the way."

"I'm gonna take him a cup of coffee." Dean said. He was going to see if Bobby knew anyone that might could come help Sam at least get the turkey going. He didn't get an answer since Sam was already engrossed in the directions again. Dean carried the two cups outside and headed for the garage. He stepped inside and found Bobby leaning over an engine putting on a water pump. "Brought you a cup of coffee."

"Thanks Dean. How's yer brother doing?"

"I think he bit off more than he could chew and is drowning in there. You know of anyone that might could come over and give him some pointers? I would like the turkey to be ready and eatable for lunch."

"I might know someone," Bobby said as he wiped his hands. He pulled his cell out and pulled up his contacts and chose one. He listened to it ring several times before it was answered.

"Deputy Mills," a female voice greeted him.

"Jody, Bobby Singer," he replied.

"Bobby, how are you? Is something wrong?"

"No, I need a little favor if you have the time."

"What type of favor?"

"My adopted son is trying to make a Thanksgiving meal and he's a little out of his league with getting the turkey ready. Think you could maybe swing by and lend a hand? And you're welcome to come back for lunch with us."

"Has he ever cooked a whole turkey before?" she asked.

"He's not cooked much of anything before."

"I'll be over in twenty minutes. Just have him cover the turkey with a damp cloth until I get there."

"Thanks Jody." Bobby said before hanging up. "Go tell your brother help is on the way and to cover the bird with a damp cloth."

"I can do that," Dean said pushing from the fender of the car and heading back inside. He strolled back into the kitchen to find Sam still trying to follow the directions he printed out. "Sammy you can relax, helps on the way, Jody said to cover it with a damp cloth. She'll show you how it's done."

Sam looked up relief plastered across his face. "I didn't think it'd be this hard. Everything else seems fairly straight forward."

"It's all good bro, you're doing your best. Anything I can help with?"

"Green beans need washed and snapped, celery and onion need chopped for the dressing, I have the sweet potatoes on cooking for the casserole and the apples need peeled for the pies."

"O-Kay, I can chop with the best of them," Dean said. He went to the sink and washed his hands before moving to a cutting board that Sam had by the sink. He took a knife and sliced off the ends of the onion to peel the outer skin off before putting it on board and slicing it in half to start chopping. "How much do you need?"

"One will be fine and maybe not quit as much celery," Sam told him. He checked the sweet potatoes to see if they were done and moved them from the burner. Sam dumped the green beans into a colander and washed them before stringing and snapping them. "Why couldn't doing the turkey be this easy?"

Sam had the green beans on cooking and was working on peeling the apples when a knock sounded at the door and they heard a voice calling out.

"Hello, it's me," Jody called.

"Hey Jody, we're in the kitchen," Dean replied happy she could come by.

"So, you boys need a little help with a turkey?"

"Yeah, I've got the oven preheated and was trying to go by the directions I found online, but do I stuff it first or just put celery and onion inside it? And what's the giblets? I have no idea what to do with those things," he rushed and pointed to the bowl with what he pulled from the inside the bird.

"It's better not to stuff the bird. Let me wash my hands," she said. Jody sat a small box on the counter and stepped to the sink. "Okay, do you have a pan to cook it in? You can throw those things away and don't worry about giblets."

"Yes," Sam said. He moved the baking pan over by the turkey. Sam watched intently as Jody quickly got the turkey ready for the oven.

"I found the secret to a juicy bird is cooking bags. They let you cook it faster and less clean up in the end." Jody opened the box she brought and pulled out a plastic cooking bag and tie. "I'll need a tablespoon of flour to coat the bag and Dean how about cutting an onion into quarters and chopping the celery small enough to fit inside the bird?"

"On it," he said pulling more celery from the bag and washing it. He did as she requested sitting them aside for her.

Sam opened a cabinet and pulled down a container of flour. He watched as Jody spooned the flour into the bag and closed it before shaking it to distribute the flour. She folded back the open end and placed it in the baking pan. Jody checked the turkey before stuffing it with the celery and onion. She sprinkled salt inside and transferred it to the cooking bag, carefully slipping it inside. She took the tie and sealed it and cut three small holes in the top.

"There you go, it's ready to go in the oven. With this size turkey it'll probably take about three hours to cook. You see that white thing on the breast?" she asked pointing to it. "That will pop up when it is done. You can take it out and let it sit for twenty minutes before carving it. Be sure to wipe down the counter really good where the turkey was sitting. Don't need to be spreading any germs around."

"Thanks Jody you're a lifesaver," Sam sighed as he slid the turkey in the oven to cook. He took spray and a wet dishcloth to clean the counter and a dry one to wipe it dry.

"You'll come back for lunch won't you Jody?" Dean asked.

"Why not, I was going to the diner, but it'll be nice to have lunch with friends. I'll bring some corn and a dessert."

"Okay, but you don't have to bring anything. Sammy's doing enough food to feed a small army."

"I wanted leftovers," Sam defended himself a pouty look on his face. "Jody, think you can make some gravy when you come back?"

"I can and I'm sure you'll have plenty. Save the drippings in the bag for me. I better run, need to go by the office and get home to fix the food. Sam if you have any other problems call me and I'll walk you through it."

"Okay Jody, but I think I've got the other stuff covered."

"See ya Jody," Dean waved. "You want those sweet potatoes peeled before I take the trash out?"

"Yeah, but be careful they're hot," Sam said. "Put them in that bowl there and I'll mix the casserole up and have it ready to go in the oven when the turkey comes out."

"Do you have it under control now?" Dean asked seeing Sam seemed more relaxed now and was enjoying himself.

"I do, thanks Dean."

"Don't thank me, thank Bobby, he's the one who called Jody. I'm heading back out to the garage. My Baby needs a little more TLC while we're here." Dean left Sam to his cooking, now that he knew he could handle everything else, and went out to join Bobby in the garage.

A/N: Hope you liked this light chapter and Sam trying to make a Thanksgiving meal. Deputy Mills to the rescue. We're getting near the end of this story, five more chapters. I do like reviews. NC