Chapter 22

Disclaimer: Still don't own them.

A/N: I tried to make this chapter a little lighter and add some humor. Also thanks to Soar for the beta, any left over mistakes are completely my own.

A few days earlier…

Margaret hung up the phone after speaking with her husband, with a long suffering sigh. The man did not know what he wanted she decided. He hadn't been himself since he had gone to the cemetary that day. It was bad enough that he had taken off to sulk, but to shun their friends was just unforgivable. They were all expecting to be invited to Frank and Margaret's party, the one they always gave when one of them had their birthday. Margaret did have to admit to herself that she was sort of relieved that they weren't going to have to expose their friends to those people, though. She was all set to follow her husband's wishes and then the phone rang.

Margaret was in the den when Miles informed her that Nathan Keeping was on the phone.

"Nathan, how nice to hear from you. How are you?" Margaret greeted her friend as she picked up the phone.

"I'm fine,Margaret. Thank you for asking. I was trying to get a hold of Frank, we need to discuss details for the next fundraiser," Nathan said.

"He had to go out of town, but he should be back very shortly. I will let him know to get in touch with you," Margaret covered.

"Thank you. Oh Margaret, I'm glad I did get a hold of you. I want to let you know that I'll be able to make Frank's party. I made sure to get the day off," Nathan said.

Margaret stiffened. What was she going to do? She couldn't tell Nathan that he wasn't invited. It was a small circle in which the Jackson's operated, word was bound to get out that Frank was in town. She made a spur of the moment decision, Frank would thank her for it later. "That is good to hear, Nathan. I hope that Martha can make it as well," Margaret said as she named Nathan's wife. "Although, I do have to warn you that Frank wants to invite those people." Margaret made her disdain very clear with by the tone of her voice.

"Do you mean John Winchester and his sons?" Nathan askedas an idea began to form in his mind.

"Yes," Margaret said.

"That's great."

"I beg your pardon," Margaret said in disbelief.

"I'm presenting a paper next month on the improvements in neonatal medicine. Dean would make a fascinatingcase study for my presentation. I would really like to interview him," Nathan explained.

Margaret was not sure what to say to that. She couldn't deny Nathan though. "I am sure that he will be thrilled that you want to include him in your work. I will tell Frank to get in touch and I am looking forward to seeing you and Martha at the party."

"Great. Take care, Margaret. Goodbye." Nathan said.

"Goodbye." Margaret hung up the phone and pressed the intercom to summon Miles. She had a party to plan.

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The drive to Kansas was uneventful, except for an argument between John and Sam over who got to drive the Ferrari first, Sam insisting that he should, because he hadn't had a turn yet. Dean dropped Frank off at home and said that they would be back at 8 for the party, then he met up with Sam and his dad, they were planning to go to the mall. When they had stopped to switch cars, they had all decided that they were going to wear superhero ties, but Dean was the only one that had one. They also promised to look for one for Frank.

Frank walked into his home and was greeted by Miles.

"Good afternoon, Sir," Miles greeted his employer and friend.

"Good afternoon, Miles. Is everything ready for tonight?" he asked.

"Maybe you should check for yourself," Miles cautioned.

An uneasy feeling descended upon Frank. Miles had a way of telling him that all was not well and this seemed to be one of those times. He bolted for the dining room, but was brought up short by what he saw before him.

The dining room was elegantly set up for a fancy dinner party. The crystal was sparkling, the tablecloth was neatly pressed, not a wrinkle or a bump anywhere. The napkins were neatly folded and the silverware was gleaming. It would have impressed even the strictest critic. The problem was that the table was set for 16, not 6. Frank was going to kill his wife, and then John was going to kill him.

"Get my wife," Frank said. He voice was calm, but it was hard to miss the anger that was simmering just beneath the surface.

Five minutes later Margaret appeared. "You wanted to see me, Francis?"

"What's this?" he asked as he swept his hand and pointed to the dining room.

"It is for dinner tonight," Margaret said simply as if she was speaking to a child.

"I know what it's for, but I specifically said 6, Margaret, not sixteen. You knew I wanted a quiet family dinner."

"I could not snub our friends, Francis. They would have been so upset."

"No, you would have been. You can't pass up an opportunity to show off," Frank accused.

"I will not be talked to that way in my own home, Francis," Margaret said.

"I'm not getting into this with you. It's my birthday. I should just call everyone and tell them it's cancelled," Frank said.

"You will do no such thing," Margaret informed her husband haughtily.

"Then maybe I'll just go out with our family to the local Pizza Hut and let you have all this," Frank threatened.

"I went to a lot of trouble to put this together for you..."

"No, you went to a lot of trouble to put this together for you," Frank interrupted. "Never mind, we're just going to go around in circles. I have to call John and give him a head's up."

"You did tell them this was a formal affair, did you not?" Margaret inquired.

"Yes, they will show up wearing jacket's and ties," Frank informed his wife. "Which reminds me, I'll go along with all this, but you have to promise to be civil to John, Sam, Dean and Bobby. They are my guests."

"I will as long as they do not embarrass me," Margaret countered.

Frank just sighed in frustration. The woman was never going to change. Frank excused himself to go call his son-in-law. To say that John was not happy was an understatement. Frank told him that he would be more than willing to blow it off for dinner at Pizza Hut and John said that he would get back to him, after he talked to everyone. John called back a few minutes later and informed Frank that although they weren't happy, they would be there. John said that Dean hadn't wanted him to miss his birthday party.

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Sam Winchester walked up and down the aisles of the novelty shop they were currently shopping in. They were searching for a Lone Ranger tie. They had managed to find one with Daredevil for Frank, a Spiderman tie for him, and a Wolverine tie for Bobby, but the lone ranger was proving very elusive.

Sam was not a happy man at the moment. The vote to attend the party had not been unanimous and Sam was dead set against it. He just hadn't wanted to get into heated argument with his dad in public. Margaret didn't want them there, she thought that they were an embarrassment. With that, an idea began to take shape in his brain and a truly evil grin spread across his face. He needed a co-conspirator and spotted Bobby and John in the next aisle. He could see Dean a few aisles over, looking at itching powder and Sam made a mental note to check his underwear for the next several days.

Sam approached his dad and Bobby and laid out his plan. Bobby and John were all for it and John really had to work to keep from laughing. Then Sam walked off to go make sure that Dean hadn't found anything else to torture him with.

"You know what, Bobby, all of a sudden I can't wait for tonight. This party just got a whole lot more interesting," John said.

"I couldn't agree more. Sam's plan is just brilliant," Bobby agreed.

"Come on, we better get going. I want to find a motel and get showered," John said.

"We didn't find a Lone Ranger tie," Bobby protested.

John held up a tie that had a picture of James Dean on it. "This is the closest I can find to my true hero," John stated as he walked toward the cash register.

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The Winchesters and Bobby drove to the local Super8 Motel. Luckily, they had two vacancies left. In the interest of maintaining peace, Bobby and Sam shared a room, and Dean and John shared a room. Bobby was glad to be alone with Sam. It gave him a chance to put the final touches to their plan. They were both a little worried at how Dean would react, but they both came to the conclusion he would be okay eventually. Margaret deserved everything she had coming.

Knock Knock.

"Get that would you, Sam," Bobby asked, calling from the bathroom. "It's probably Dean."

Sam opened the door to reveal his brother. "You guys ready?" he asked.

"Just about," Sam said as he put his jacket on and glanced at his brother. Dean always looked so uncomfortable in a suit. "Come here a sec, Dean."

"What?" Dean asked as he stepped up to his brother.

Sam reached out and did up the top button on Dean's shirt and adjusted his tie.

"Saaammm," Dean said in an exasperated tone.

"What?" Sam asked in mock surprise. "I'm guessing that Tabbi's going to be there tonight. I want you to look your best."

"Do not even go there. That is so not funny," Dean growled.

"Maybe I should ask our grandmother to make sure you're seated next to her."

"Maybe I should ask you if you like breathing?" Dean countered.

"Come on, Dean, level with me, are you gonna kiss her," Sam asked, ignoring Dean's threat.

Dean pulled out his cell phone and started to dial. "What are you doing?" Sam asked cautiously.

"Calling our grandmother, I want to make this a double date. I want to make sure that Frannie will be there for her Sammy," Dean teased.

"Give me the phone, Dean," Sam stated firmly as he remembered Tabbi's friend from the bar with a shudder.

"No."

"What you going to do, Dean? Hold it over my head? Better get a ladder," Sam said as he made a grab for it. Dean managed to step aside to avoid Sam, but he backed right into Bobby, who grabbed the phone.

"Enough," Bobby tried to scold them, but the big grin on his face ruined the effort. He loved seeing the boys act like, well, like boys. "Let's go. Your daddy will wonder what's keeping us. You both look great by the way." Any girl would be lucky to have them, Bobby thought.

"I look like an accountant," Dean complained.

"Well, Dean," Sam started. "Bobby is always threatening to make you his full time bookkeeper."

Dean opened his mouth to retaliate, but before he could speak, Bobby said warily, "Just get in the damn car."

"Gee, he's cranky," Sam remarked to Dean with a grin as they walked out the door. Bobby just shook his head.

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The drive to the Jackson house was made in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Bobby and Sam were thinking about the look on Margaret's face when they got through with her. Dean was worried about making a good impression on his grandmother. John was worried about Margaret being around Dean. He had been so upbeat these last few days and John didn't want anything to change that.

Frank had asked them to come a little early so that they could get the introductions out of the way. Margaret entered the room and stopped short as she took in the attire of the five men before her. This could not be happening. Nobody missed the fact that she regarded Bobby as something one would wipe off the bottom of their shoes and John and his sons as little better.

"Really, Francis," Margaret said in a snobby tone. "What will our friends think?"

"I don't care, Margaret. This is a dinner party, not some black tie affair. We need to relax and have some fun for a change," Frank said.

"Dean's tie is black, grandma," Sam pointed out helpfully.

Margaret grimaced at the address, but decided it was best to ignore it. This couldn't be happening, but she had promised to remain civil and she didn't go back on her word. "Fine, if you insist on this childish display, there is nothing I can do to change this."

"I insist," Frank said firmly.

Margaret knew that there was no point in addressing it any more. She had more important things to worry about. "You there," Margaret said addressing Bobby. "Have you been to a dinner party before?"

"Sure have," Bobby said.

"I trust you know how to behave in the presence of my guests," Margaret said scornfully.

"MARGARET!!!" Frank yelled to his wife. "Come with me now, or I will call this whole thing off,"

"Very well. Our guests should be arriving shortly. Miles will give you all instructions on the proper etiquette at the dinner table," Margaret said as she walked out the door and followed her husband, leaving the stunned group behind.

Dean walked away, he needed to think. John went after him. Sam and Bobby looked at each other and by unspoken agreement, decided to put their plan into full effect. Bobby asked Miles to point him to the washroom.

"Make sure to tell your employer that I'm housebroken," Bobby called to Miles over his shoulder as he started out for the bathroom. Miles grinned. He might just do that.

"Dad, maybe this was a mistake. She doesn't want us here, does she?" Dean asked quietly.

John looked toward his eldest. The fact that Dean looked angry and not upset surprised John. "Want to tell me what's going on in that head of yours, son?" John asked gently.

"She didn't have to treat Bobby that way. She doesn't even know him. Bobby's a great guy, dad," Dean said. Why did he care so much about what this woman thought?

John shook his head warily. Someone could rake Dean over the coals and he would think that he deserved every bit of it, yet if you hurt someone he cared about, John would feel safer with a horde of angry demons. "Son, I want to say this and I want you to listen. You're right about Bobby, but don't worry about him. Bobby can take care of himself, against demons, poltergeists and snobs. Margaret is going to look down on you because you're my son, same with Sam and Bobby because he's my friend. Don't let her get you down, son, okay. It's your grandfather's birthday. He wants you here and that's all that matters. Got it?" John asked.

"Yeah, dad, I got it and thanks," Dean said. "I better go find Bobby."

"Bobby's, um, ah, Bobby's a little busy right now," John said quickly.

"Dad, what are you guys planning?" Dean said casting a suspicious look at his father.

John acted shocked. "I can honestly say that I didn't plan anything."

"Why doesn't that make me feel better?" Dean asked.

John didn't answer. He just grinned. That old bat was getting everything that was coming to her.

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It wasn't long after that before the other guest began to arrive and Frank and Margaret rejoined them. Dean did his best to steer clear of Tabitha, who was indeed there, and stuck close to his brother's side.

"Excuse me," a man said as he made his way over to Dean.

"Yes," Dean said as he regarded the man. He was taller than Sam and just as muscular as his dad was. He looked like he could snap a phone pole in half.

"You're Dean, right?" the mountain said.

Dean was tempted to say no, he is, and point to Sam, but he didn't want his baby brother to get his ass whipped. "Ah, yes," he finally admitted.

Dean, all of a sudden, found himself being squeezed tight by the giant. The man finally let go and Dean felt relief as his lungs flooded with oxygen.

"Thanks," was all the man said.

"Um, you're welcome, and please don't take this the wrong way, but can I ask what for?" Dean asked, scratching the back of his neck in confusion and embarrassment.

"I'm Adam Stanwick," he said. The name sounded familiar to Dean but he couldn't place it. "Andrea Stanwick is my wife."

"Oh," Dean said as recognition dawned. "Your wife used to work for Grandpa. What are you thanking me for?" Dean asked.

"I'm thanking you for Rachel. She told me that if I ran into you I had to do that."

"How is your daughter?" Dean questioned fondly.

"She's doing much better. I don't know what you said to her, but she seems to have gained some confidence. She's even going to her first dance. It's a sock hop that her school is having in two weeks."

"I did nothing," Dean insisted.

"Your nothing made all the difference," Adam countered.

Dean never felt like he deserved any credit and he always started to get uncomfortable whenever anyone sung his praises, so he managed to politely excuse himself and walked away.

"I'm sorry, um," Adam said as he looked at Dean's brother.

"Sam," he supplied. "I'm Dean's brother."

"I didn't mean to make him uncomfortable. I just wanted him to know I was grateful."

"Don't worry about it," Sam said.

"Did your grandfather tell you what he did for my Rachel?" Adam asked.

"Yeah, Grandpa told me about it."

"He was great to do that for Rachel and I just wanted him to know how thankful I am," Adam said.

"I'm sure he knows that," Sam acknowledged with a gentle smile. Dean is a great guy, I just wish he would start to believe it, Sam thought.

Adam took his leave a few minutes later and rejoined his wife. Sam looked over and saw Margaret was surrounded by Conner, his wife, Winifred, their son Jeffery, and Jeffery's wife Sophia. Sam grinned as he spotted Bobby walking toward the living room. It was show time.

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Nathan Keeping had been watching Dean Winchester since he had arrived. He wanted to get him alone and let him know about the paper he was writing. He was sure that Dean would be grateful that he had chosen to include him and he finally saw his opening when Dean wandered away from Sam.

"Hello, Dean Winchester, right?" Nathan greeted him.

"Um, yes and you are?" Dean asked as he felt his defenses rise.

"I'm Dr. Nathan Keeping, I delivered you," he said and stopped.

If Dean had to guess, it almost seemed like this guy expected Dean to thank him. "And," Dean prompted him as he looked around for an escape route.

"I was your doctor after you were born," Dr. Keeping said.

"I know that," Dean said.

"Your dad told me you got into MIT. Good school. I have never understood Ampere's law. Could you explain it to me?" Nathan asked.

Dean looked at the doctor like he was crazy. What the hell was he talking about? Why would he be asking about physics equations?

"What about the Biot-Savart Law, can you explain that?" Nathan asked when Dean didn't say anything. Maybe Frank had bought his grandson's way in, Nathan began to think.

All at once, Dean clued into what this guy was up to. This doctor was testing him as if he expected that Dean was mentally challenged. Dean glared at his old doctor "You know what? Mom was right," Dean stated angrily. "You are an ass."

"I see you have your mother's temper. You shouldn't talk to me that way, after all, I saved your life," Nathan said arrogantly.

If looks could kill, Nathan Keeping would have been six feet under. Dean narrowed his eyes at the doctor and said in a deadly calm voice, "No, you're the one that wanted to end it. Remember? You're the one that told mom to pull the plug. I'm alive because my mom never gave up on me, it was her strength that saved me, not you. And if you can't live without knowing what Ampere's law and the Biot-Savart law is, let me tell you." With that, Dean thoroughly explained each one. He was about to throw in a few more for good measure when a commotion over by his grandmother caught his attention.

Nathan knew that he had lost any chance of having Dean included in his study. He was about to mention it anyway when the commotion caught his interest as well.

Sam had wondered over to where his grandmother was talking to her friends.

"Hey, grandma," Sam said.

"Hello, Samuel," Margaret said stiffly. She really hoped that he wasn't going to do anything to embarrass her.

Sam knew what his grandmother was hoping, that he wouldn't embarrass her. Famous last words he thought.

"Sammy, Grandma Maggie," Sam said in his best imitation of a three year old's wine. "I told you, you're supposed to call me Sammy." He turned to the Butlers and announced brightly, "I'm Samuel Winchester, but please call me Sammy. My brother Dean told me all about you guys. Can I call you Winnie?" He addressed Margaret's friend.

"No," she stated coldly.

"Ah well," Sam said and shrugged. "You can still call me Sammy if you want."

"I, um, I think you're getting a little old for that don't you, Samuel?" Margaret stammered.

Sam threw his arms around his grandmother and pulled her into a giant bear hug. "That's what I love about you, Grandma Maggie, you're such a kidder. Thanks soooo much for inviting us tonight," Sam said in an exaggerated tone.

The Butlers looked shocked. If there was one thing that everyone knew about Margaret Jackson, it was that you never shortened her name. It was Margaret, pure and simple.

Margaret was blushing furiously. She was going to kill her husband. She was never going to live this down. Then she turned and saw that other man enter the room and she decided that leaving town would be her best option.

Bobby had used his time in the washroom to change. He had discarded his suit jacket and white shirt. He now sported a torn, grease stained t-shirt. Sam recognized it as one that Bobby wore while working in the salvage yard. He had somehow managed to get his tattered grease stained ball cap and was wearing it. He still had his tie on, but it hung loose around his neck over his t-shirt. Sam and Bobby's plan had been a simple one. If Margaret had thought they were going to embarrass her, then that was exactly what they were going to do. If she thought that Bobby was an uneducated, backwoods bumpkin then that was exactly how he planned to act. He sauntered up to Margaret.

"Hey there, Ms. Maggie, I wanted to thank you for invitin' me to this here shindig. Sure 'ppreciate it," Bobby said in an exaggerated accent.

Frank, John and Ian, who was talking to them, became hysterical with laughter. Even Dean looked amused. He wanted to feel sorry for his grandmother because he had a feeling this was just the tip of the iceberg, but he was having trouble mustering up any sympathy for her. He was still mad at the way she had treated Bobby.

Luckily, before too much more happened, Miles entered and announced that dinner was served. However, even he was trying to control himself.

They all entered the dining room.

"Wow," Bobby exclaimed excitedly. "Real plates and glasses. I think I done moved up in the world."

Margaret turned purple. This night couldn't get any worse.

"Hey, Grandma Maggie, do we have more than one fork in case we drop one?" Sam asked innocently. Margaret ignored him and this got Dean's ire up even more. No one ignored his brother. He found himself wanting to join in with Bobby and Sam, and so did John. He couldn't let Sam and Bobby have all the fun.

"Look, dad," Dean said. "Not only do we have real plates, but we have cloth napkins too," Dean said as if was the first time he had ever seen them.

"Cool," John said. Sam and Bobby, Dean and John, as if they had practiced, all picked up their napkins in unison, flicked them open and tucked them under them into their shirts under their chins. Margaret decided she had been wrong, this night could get decidedly worse.

This continued all through dinner. The Winchesters and Bobby broke every rule of etiquette that existed. When Miles came around with champagne, Bobby asked for a can of beer. Having no choice but to comply, as Margaret had instructed him to fulfil the guest's every wish, he did so. When he was done, Bobby let out a loud belch and crushed the can on his head. Margaret wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole.

Then, just as the meal began to draw to a close, Martha Keeping, who was a college philosophy professor, was talking to Sophia Butler about her upcoming lecture on Plato. Bobby, who had been acting like he couldn't add 2 plus 2, turned and delivered an in depth analysis on the subject. Margaret wished she'd never been born.

As they were all leaving the dining room, Bobby walked up to Margaret, who was sitting at the table, not moving. "Mess with my boy again and this will seem like a day at Disneyworld," Bobby threatened and Margaret flinched at the repressed violence in the man's eyes.

They all adjourned to the living room, where everyone except Ian and Frank were steering clear of the Winchesters. Ian had never laughed so hard in his life. He had long hoped that he would live to see the day that someone put Margaret in her place.

Like Dean, Sam took to Ian immediately. "Did you see the look on her face when Bobby crushed that beer can on his head?" Sam asked with a snicker.

"How about when Dean picked up his soup bowl and started to slurp it? I wish I had thought of it," Ian said. "This is the most fun I have ever had. Will you guys come to my party next week?"

"It was..." Sam stopped suddenly when a quick flash of pain ran though his head.

"Sam, you alright?" Dean asked in concern.

"Yeah, I'm fi..." Sam started to say and again stopped short when he saw a flash of white at the edge of his vision. Oh God, please, not now. Sam thought. Pain flared and Sam went to his knees and wrapped his arms around his head.

"Oh, God, it hurts..."

TBC

Okay not totally light, it is me after all.

Please read and review and let me know what you thought about this chapter.