Chapter 6

Disclaimer Still don't own them.

Dean and Frank drove toward the charity auction. The two had easily renewed the connection they had made the day before, and they laughed and joked until they reached the area where the auction was being held. Dean looked at all the fancy cars in the parking lot, there was a Mercedes, a Porsche, Cadillacs, hummers, and there were even a few limousines. Even though he had tried to stop himself, he immediately felt himself tense up. He hadn't thought about the fact that there would be lots of rich people there. What if he made the wrong impression, or did something to embarrass Frank? Would his grandfather want nothing else to do with him? How could he have been so stupid?

Frank noticed the change that had come over his grandson. "Is everything okay there, Dean?" Frank asked, not bothering to keep the concern out of his voice.

"Yeah, it just... um," Dean started. He wasn't sure how to voice his concerns.

"If you're worried about making a good impression, then don't. We're just here to have a good time, enjoy a good meal, drool over some pretty cars, raise some money for the children's hospital and to make sure I get my hands on a '38 Cadillac," Frank said attempting to reassure the younger man.

"I don't want to embarrass you." Dean said it so quietly that Frank had almost missed it.

"Get that thought out of your head, right now. You can't embarrass me, you're my grandson. Just be yourself," Frank instructed firmly.

"Alright, I'll try," said Dean, trying to convince himself.

"Dean, I want to ask you something. We'll run into people that I know and they are going to ask me about you. I can introduce you as the son of a family friend," Frank said hesitantly, his eyes searching Dean's face.

"That would be okay," Dean said softly as his face fell.

Frank didn't miss it and he cursed himself for starting it that way. "Sorry, Dean, what I really want to do is introduce you as my grandson. I just didn't want to make you uncomfortable."

"I'd like that a lot," Dean said eagerly. "Wouldn't people wonder why I call you Frank though? Maybe just for this afternoon I can call you grandpa. That way we can avoid the questions."

Frank felt himself fill with pride and he echoed Dean's words. "I'd like that a lot."

"Ready?" Frank asked as he parked the car in an available spot.

"As I'll ever be," replied Dean.

Grandfather and grandson walked into the arena where the auction was being held. Dean's eyes practically bugged out of his head when he saw the cars lined up on the showroom floor. Frank wanted to show Dean the car that he was planning to bid on. As Dean was examining it with awe, he saw a man approach Frank.

"Jackson, you old devil. It's been awhile," greeted the newcomer.

"Hi, Ian. You're looking good," Frank replied. He turned to look over his shoulder "Hey, Dean, come here. I would like you to meet someone."

Dean walked over. Frank noted that he looked like he was walking toward his execution.

"Dean, this is Ian Felton. He and I go way back. We were roommates in college and have kept in touch throughout the years. Ian, this is my grandson, Dean."

"Hello, Mr. Felton," Dean said extending his hand. His dad had taught him some manners.

"Good to meet you, Dean, and it's Ian. Hey, Jackson, I thought you said you didn't keep in touch with your grandkids," Ian commented curiously.

"Well, they live away and you know how things get. They were in town and we decided to get together. Dean loves cars, just like me. When Conner cancelled, I figured he would enjoy this."

"Has he seen your baby yet?" asked Ian.

"We came in his mustang. Is that it?" Dean asked.

"That's his every day car. Wait 'til you see his baby. I'm still jealous. Hey, Dean, you got a special car, like Frank here?"

"Yes sir, I have a Chevy Impala, a '67."

"What's with this sir stuff, it's Ian. Mint condition?" questioned the other man. He wanted one of those.

"Yup, completely restored," Dean answered proudly.

"Care to sell? I'll give you good money."

Frank had to stop himself from laughing at the look of pure horror that came over Dean's face. You would have thought someone was asking him to sell his first born.

"Never!" Dean stated emphatically. "My dad gave it to me."

"Oh well, you can't blame a guy for trying. I wouldn't give it up either if I had one. Maybe I'll I just have a go at that '38 Cadillac. It would look nice in my garage," replied Ian, throwing a wink at Dean. He waited for what was coming next. Frank didn't disappoint.

"Ian, even gaze in her direction come bidding time and they won't find your body. I know people, I can make it happen," Frank threatened, a growl in his voice.

"I would listen to Grandpa. You never come between a man and his car," Dean explained.

"Truer words were never spoken, my boy," Ian agreed and Frank was filled with pride when Dean called him that.

Frank and Ian continued to talk and Dean let him self relax. This guy had a wicked sense of humour and Dean found himself laughing more than once.

"Now, if you gentleman would excuse me, I see a '56 Thunderbird that needs my attention. It will be mine before the end of the day, I guarantee it (full stop)"

Dean pouted. "You can't, that's the one I want. Grandpa , you promised."

This time Frank couldn't stop the full belly laughed that escaped, glad that Dean felt comfortable enough to make a joke. He was so glad that they had run into Ian first. He had really put Dean at ease.

Ian looked like he was about to cry for a second. He really wanted that Thunderbird, but if Frank was intent on getting it for his grandson, then there would be no way that Ian could stop him. Then he saw Dean and Frank's reaction and realized that he'd been had.

"Very funny. You are your grandfather's boy , that's for sure," replied Ian. It was Dean's turn to be filled with pride. "If you can convince Frank here to let me drive his baby, I might just consider forgiving the two of you."

"In your dream's, Felton," was Frank's reply.

"Work on the old man, Dean. I do have to get going. It was nice meeting you."

"You too, si.., um, Ian," Dean answered and he meant it.

"Hey, Grandpa, if it's not the mustang, what's your baby?"

"It's really better to see it, it loses something when you just say the name. If you want, when we are done here we can go by my place and I'll show it to you, okay?" Frank asked.

"You've really got me curious. Sure, I'll give Dad a call and make sure it's okay with him." Dean grinned at his grandfather.

Frank wondered why, whenever he mentioned something, Dean's first thought was to make sure that his dad would approve. When he asked Dean to come by his place, he noticed that Dean had asked John if it was okay, same with the auction and then again just now. Things were going so well between the two of them though and he was not about to risk it, so he decided not to say anything.

"I see a GTO over there, can we go check it out?" Dean asked with an excited tone to his voice.

"Sure," Frank said offering the young man a smile.

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Winifred Butler hated these types of events. She had never understood why grown men would react to a hunk of metal that way, she only ever took out her chauffeured limousine. She really wished that Conner hadn't had that damned meeting. He would have been there and she would have been spared, then she and her granddaughter could have gone shopping. This was an important social event though, and it wouldn't do for the Butlers not to be seen. She spotted Frank over by one of the cars and was instantly outraged, this was a high class event and he had the nerve to wear a tie with some ridiculous cartoon on it. She hoped that Margaret would be back soon. She would never have let Frank out of the house looking so disgraceful.

"Grandmama." Winifred turned as she heard the voice behind her and saw that it was her granddaughter, Tabitha. Her granddaughter had just turned 25 and her son Jeffery, and his wife Sophia, had asked her to bring Tabbi along to the event. This would be the perfect place for her to meet the right sort of man.

"Tabbi, darling, you shoundn't startle me like that," Winifred drawled.

"Sorry, Grandmama, but who's that with Frank Jackson?"

Winifred frowned. She didn't recognize the young man and she prided herself on knowing everyone who was anyone. Her frowned deepened when he stood up and she saw the batman tie.

"He must be new," she commented.

"I want to meet him," Tabbi said, her tone carrying her desire for immediate satisfaction.

"Now, now, Tabbi darling, I don't think he's our type."

'I don't care. I want to meet him. NOW, GRANDMAMA!" Tabbi said, on the verge of throwing a tantrum if she didn't get her own way.

"Alright, Tabbi dear, you know that Grandmama can never say no to you."

Tabbi grinned, pleased to have gotten her own way. She knew just how to play her grandmother and she always got what she wanted.

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"Oh man!" exclaimed Dean. He had just finished looking at the Aston Martin they had on display. "It's just like the one that James Bond drove."

"She's gorgeous all right. Do you want it? I can get it for you," Frank said, and then immediately wished he hadn't. Frank knew that it had cost John a lot of pride to accept help from Frank. He should have known that Dean was the same way and as soon as he saw his grandson's expression, he knew he made a mistake.

Um, no. I think… it's okay," the younger man said awkardly, a frown still marring his features.

"I'm sorry, Dean. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I spoiled Mary and you're my grandson. I didn't think. Will you forgive me?" Frank begged contritely.

"Nothing to forgive." Dean waved his hand dismissively. "Thanks for the offer, but I have my own baby waiting for me. I don't think she would forgive me if I bought home another woman."

"Hello, Frank." Both turned and Dean watched as his grandfather pasted on a big, fake smile.

"Winifred, how nice to see you," Frank said in a voice that implied it was anything but.

"Hi, I'm Tabitha, but everyone calls me Tabbi," the younger girl added, directly addressing Dean.

"My name's Dean," he answered politely.

"Who is this young man, Frank. Is he a new intern?"

"No, Dean is my grandson," Frank explained.

Winifred knew that Frank's daughter, Mary, had died a long time ago and that she'd had a husband. She couldn't remember the name but she remembered how embarrassed Margaret had been when she'd found out who her daughter was marrying. She was so ashamed that she had refused to attend the wedding. If this boy was the son of that man, then she did not want her granddaughter anywhere near him. She wouldn't be suffering that type of shame.

"Dean, this is Winifred Butler. Her husband, Conner, and I are friends."

"Hello, Mrs. Butler," Dean said extending his hand.

Winifred ignored it. '"We must be going, come along, Tabbi darling."

"No! I want to stay and talk to Dean," Tabbi whined. Dean could have sworn that she was going to cross her arms and stomp her feet.

"Alright, Tabbi, for a little while then," Winifred sighed in long suffering patience. "Frank, how's Margaret? Will she be home soon?"

"So you're Dean," Tabbi giggled.

"Kill me now," was Dean's first thought.

"Yes, so what's you favourite car here?" Dean asked trying to make conversation.

"I don't care about those silly things. It's a beautiful day out, I want you to come and take me for a walk. There's a beautiful garden outside and I want to see it."

"The dinner's about to start, I still have to check out the Viper and the Jaguar. You can come with me, if you want?" Dean offered hoping that she wouldn't.

"Who cares about those stupid cars. I said I wanted you to take me to the garden," Tabbi tried again. This was the hottest guy here and she wanted everyone to see him on her arm.

Frank watched the scene with some amusement. Tabitha Butler was a brat and he loved seeing her put into her place.

Winifred was suffering from mixed emotions. She didn't think this young man was worthy of her granddaughter, but she couldn't believe that someone would have the audacity to say no to her beloved Tabbi.

"Sorry, I don't do gardens," Dean said. "Now if my brother, Sam, was here, that would be a perfect chick thing for him, but I'm going to have to say no thank you."

Tabbi turned purple.

"Dean, you're the older one are you?" asked Winifred.

"Yeah," he answered.

"Frank, I thought the older one was called Jack?" Winifred asked in confusion.

Dean looked at his grandfather. "What does she mean? Mom said I was called Dean to avoid confusion with dad."

"Jack's a nickname for John. It was originally how your parents were going to tell the difference between you," Frank lied, silently pleading that Dean would buy his story. "Your mother's favourite movie was Rebel Without a Cause. When you were born, and did everything the doctors said you couldn't, they felt Dean was more appropriate. Your mother said it was fate that it was your father's middle name."

"Cool," Dean said and Frank breathed a sigh of relief. "Can we go see the Viper, Grandpa?"

"Sure, lead on. Winifred, Tabitha, I will talk to you later." Frank was glad to get out of there.

"Dean, I'm sorry." Frank felt the need to apologize for Winifred's snub.

"For what?" asked Dean, truly puzzled.

"For the way Winifred treated you. Don't read anything into it okay."

"I know all about snobs. Did dad tell you about my senior year of high school? Dean queried.

"Some, but I would love to hear more," Frank said, encouraging Dean.

"Just do me a favour. Keep that girl away from me. I think she scares me," Dean said laughing.

"Me too, kiddo, me too."

They left and Winifred tried to calm down Tabitha.

Dean met several of Frank's associates and friends. None were as friendly as Ian, but nowhere near as snobby as Winifred. Most fell in the middle and they were all impressed with Dean's extensive knowledge of automobiles.

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Shortly after that, the dinner started. Dean was worried at first. He was worried about prices until Frank had pointed out that it was included in his ticket. They sat at a table and Ian joined them shortly afterward. Dean got his wish about not eating something that had been microwaved at a minimart and enjoyed a delicious five course meal, while Ian kept them amused with stories about Frank's college years. Frank was glad that Dean was relaxed enough to join the conversation. Dean couldn't believe it when the Aston Martin, the first car auctioned off, went for $58,000. Frank got his Cadillac for a mere $34,000. He could have had it for $32,000, but Ian threw a bid in at the last minute, causing Frank to have to up his bid. Frank returned the favour when Ian bid on his Thunderbird, driving the price up to $28,000 from $22,000. Winifred bid on the Viper for her husband. To get revenge for her earlier snub, just as the auctioneer was about to say sold, Frank threw a last minute bid in. Ian realized what Frank was up to and he joined in. They ended nearly doubling the price before they stopped and let her have it.

After the auction, in which over a million dollars was raised for the children's hospital, Frank and Dean said their goodbyes. Dean called John to ask if he could go to Frank's place, but he got his dad's voice mail and he left a message telling his father where he was going to be. Dean couldn't believe his eyes when they arrived at Frank's house. It was surrounded by a wrought iron fence, had a yard the size of a football field, and there were tennis courts, and an Olympic sized swimming pool on the grounds.

Frank led Dean to the garage and once again Dean was like a kid in a candy store. There was a Porsche 911, a couple of old fashioned Cadillacs and a Rolls Royce to name but a few.

"Wow. If I didn't know better, I would think that I'd died and gone to heaven," Dean remarked.

"It's nice to share them with someone that appreciates them. Your father liked them too."

"Which one's your baby?"

"She would be over here," Frank said, leading Dean to another part of the garage.

Dean nearly had to pick his jaw up off the floor. There on display was a gleaming, cherry red, Ferrari Testarossa. It was then that Dean realized just how much money his grandfather had. It was a quarter of a million dollar automobile.

"She's gorgeous, Grandpa," he murmured reverently.

Frank had noticed that Dean hadn't stopped referring to him as grandpa and he hoped that he wouldn't, either. "The second most beautiful thing I ever saw. Nothing was more beautiful than your mother."

"She was pretty," Dean agreed. "Did she like cars?"

"She thought they were cool looking, but she wasn't into them. You get that from your father," Frank explained.

"I wish, I..." Dean trailed off.

"What is it?" Frank felt his concern rising again for his grandson.

"IwishIcouldremembermoreaboutmom," Dean said in a rush, before he could change his mind.

"You can ask me anything. Come on up to the house and we'll talk. Then I'll take you back to the motel, in fact, I tell you what, we'll take the Ferrari and as a special treat I'll let you drive."

Dean felt his dark mood instantly lift. "It's a deal."

They walked back to the main house and Frank told lots of stories about Mary and even a few about John that Dean didn't know. Dean didn't say much, but he enjoyed hearing about her. He did end up telling Frank that he didn't go to college, but had applied because he wanted to make his mom proud.

"You never had to make her proud, Dean, she always was. You were her son. Hold on, I have something for you."

Frank left and he came back carrying a leather bound journal.

"This is the book that you mother started the day she found out she was pregnant with you. I'll loan it to you. You can read it if you want to, but if you don't, I will understand." Frank said, handing the book to his grandson. He had received it in the mail on Dean's first birthday along with a note that Mary wanted him to know exactly what a special person her son was, and just how much he had given up because of stubborn pride. Frank had a cover story ready if Dean asked him where he got it, but he was glad when Dean didn't.

"Thanks," Dean said taking it from his grandfather with a shaking hand. "I better get back. Thanks for a great day, Grandpa."

"You don't have to call me that anymore if you don't want to." Frank felt he had to offer.

"I want to," Dean said and he meant it. "Please tell me you weren't teasing me about the Ferrari."

"I never kid about cars, that's just mean. Let's go."

Dean was in his element. They didn't go straight back to the motel. They drove around for a while. Frank knew of a private road so they went there and Frank let Dean floor it.

Dean wished he had his camera phone to capture the look on Sam and John's face when he drove up to the motel in the Ferrari. John was so jealous.

Back in their room, John and Sam filled Dean in on what they had learned and Dean told them all about his day. He described in detail every car that was there and how much each went for. Then he had John and Sam in hysterics with his imitations of Winifred and Tabitha. Later, Dean fell asleep with a smile on his lips.

Sam was truly happy to see his brother so upbeat, but he just couldn't shake the feeling that the other shoe was about to drop. He hoped he was wrong.

A/N I know nothing about cars, so I have no idea how much the ones I mentioned cost. I found their names on the internet. Also, for the next chapter, do you want to read Mary's journal along with Dean, or should I just give his reaction to it? Hope you liked this. Please read and review.