A/N: Hello dear readers and Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it. I wrote this one shot for Thanksgiving and hope you like it. Reviews/Comments would make my day. Enjoy…NC
Disclaimer: I do not own SPN and this is my own creation. Any errors are my own.
The Winchester brothers were sitting at a table in a motel room going over their notes on the case they were currently investigating. Dean, the oldest brother, looked toward his bed when a cell started ringing from that direction.
"Not mine," Sam commented not looking up from his reading. "You're it."
"Funny," Dean snorted as he got up and strolled toward the bed to fish his cell from a jacket pocket. "Hello," he answered his cell wondering who would be calling him.
"Dean Winchester, Jody Mills," the sheriff of Sioux Falls boisterously greeted him. "Can you talk?"
"Yeah, sure Jody," Dean replied walking back to the table to sit down. "I'm putting you on speaker. What's on your mind?"
"Hey Jody," Sam greeted her in a warm voice. The brothers had a close relationship with Sheriff Mills ever since she caught them impersonating FBI agents and she learned about the supernatural. She had even helped them on several cases over the years.
"Sam, it's good to hear your voice," Jody spoke in a motherly tone to him. She had taken both brothers under her wing and treated them like they were her sons. "You boys are invited to have Thanksgiving lunch and I'm not taking no for an answer. Alex decided to spend time with some friends from college. They were going on a skiing trip, so it will be just Claire and me. Oh, and I've already contacted Bobby and he plans on coming."
"Will there be pie?" Dean asked hopefully to get a bitch face from his brother.
"I am fixing a turkey and all the trimmings. Yes, Dean, I planned on making several different kinds of pies."
"Count me in for sure," Dean said. "I'm not going to pass up a homecooked meal, especially if there's pie."
"It all sounds good Jody. We should be finished with this case in time to get there. Thanks for inviting us," Sam told her, trying to have better manners than his brother. "It's good to see Alex is making friends."
"You better mister. And I agree, Alex is finally coming out of her shell. I think it's time we spent a holiday together. We're all the family we've got. Oh, and why don't you see if your angel buddy wants to join us?"
"Alright Jody, it's a date. And I'll see if Cas is around and wants to come. We'll see you then."
"Alright boys, and you guys be careful. I want you back in one piece ready to enjoy a good meal."
"Can't wait Jody, see you then," Sam told her before Dean disconnected the call. "That sounds like fun."
"I hope she makes pecan pie…Oh, and pumpkin, gotta have pumpkin for Thanksgiving…" Dean rattled on absently not seeing the odd look Sam gave him or the shake of his head as went back to reading his notes. "I can already taste them…" Dean sighed closing his eyes and picturing the pies as he licked his lips.
"We better get this case solved in the next few days so we can head for Sioux Falls," Sam offered trying to ignore Dean's moans and sighs. "This is looking more and more like a vengeful spirit."
"Yeah, I was thinking along those lines too," Dean replied. "Did you find any information that linked the two victims besides them being friends."
"I'm sure something happened the week before the first one was killed," Sam noted as he flipped through the pages of the files. "It says here when their friends were interviewed, they stated Colton and Jeffries were acting strange and jumpy. But they wouldn't talk about what was wrong."
"So, they must have been together when something happened that spooked them."
"I'm betting on it. I'm going back to check the police reports at that time and afterwards to see if anything stands out."
Dean left Sam with his research and headed out to get their dinner at a diner nearby. He knew if anyone could find a connection it would be his brainy brother. He swore Sammy had a computer for a brain. He was detailed oriented, and his memory was unbelievable even after all he had gone through in the past few years.
Sam didn't disappoint Dean and had found what he thought was their vengeful spirit and killer. A man had gone missing the week before the first death and three weeks later the body was found. The autopsy report confirmed a hit and run as the cause of death and no suspects had been found yet.
After hacking the police data base, Sam was sure that the two victims had been involved with the man's death, probably hitting and killing him. He figured the victims panicked and moved the body to where it had been finally found.
The brothers found where the hit and run victim was buried and prepared to salt and burn the body before he decided to kill others that might have wronged him. They drove to the cemetery around one in the morning to dig up the grave and put the man's spirit to rest.
What should have been a simple salt and burn turned into a battle with the vengeful spirit before they were able to burn the body. After refilling the grave, the brothers limped back to the Impala, stowed their gear, and hit the road for Sioux Falls. It was going to take them several days of driving to get there.
spn
The gates of the salvage yard never looked so good as Dean signaled to turn onto the driveway. It was midafternoon a few days before Thanksgiving and the weather had turned cold with a threat of rain. He followed the driveway around the yard to the front of a two-story, weather-beaten house that had seen better days.
Stacks of crushed vehicles could be seen behind the house, along with several outbuildings where Bobby stored all kinds of things. A three bay metal building sat on the other side of the house that Bobby used as a garage. He used that business as a front, along with the salvage yard to make money to pay the bills. Being a hunter didn't put food on the table or pay for the utilities.
"Hey bro, we're here," Dean spoke to his brother who had fallen asleep earlier. He smacked his leg to roust him.
"I'm up," Sam slurred as he wiped off the drool on his chin and sat up straight to look around. He smiled to himself seeing the familiar surroundings as Dean parked in front of the house and killed the engine.
"Am I glad that drive was over with," Dean moaned getting out and stretching, hearing popping, cracking, and grinding in his weary body. "I'm going to sleep for the next twenty-four hours straight."
"I told you I could have driven more," Sam fussed as he rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck side to side.
"Let's get our bags and see if Bobby is inside or at the garage," Dean told Sam. He strolled to the trunk and opened it so they could get their duffels and weapon's bag. "We need to do laundry while we're here, I'm out of clean socks and shirts."
"Yeah, I'm down to one pair of briefs and no clean jeans," Sam replied. "How is it you don't run out of briefs like I do?"
"I can get an extra day out of them by turning them inside out," Dean beamed proudly poking out his chest. "And if I'm really pressed, I can do two days for each side."
"Sorry I asked," Sam grimaced thinking about the explanation Dean had given him. That was really more information than he needed to know.
Dean headed up the steps and knocked loudly on the door before stepping back and waiting for it to be answered.
"Boys, good to see you," a rough male voice called to them from the yard.
"Bobby!" Dean greeted him with a hug as he stepped onto the front porch.
"Hey Bobby," Sam smiled warmly at him as he got a hug too.
"Well, don't just stand there, go on in," Bobby grunted, opening the door to let them in.
"I'll take our bags upstairs," Sam offered taking Dean's duffle and heading up the stairs.
"There's coffee still in the pot or beer in the fridge."
"An ice cold beer would hit the spot," Dean sighed going to the fridge to get two out thinking Sammy would want one too. "Bobby?"
"Naw, I'll have a coffee." Bobby stepped to the counter and poured coffee into a mug and sat it in the microwave to heat. He rinsed out the coffee pot and filled it with water so he could get the machine ready to brew another pot.
"Here you go Sammy," Dean offered holding out a beer to his brother when he joined them in the kitchen.
"Thanks," Sam nodded taking the beer and dropping into a chair at the table. He unscrewed the cap and sipped on the cold, tart liquid.
"Now that tastes good," Dean said smacking his lips after drinking several long swallows.
"What happened to you two?" Bobby asked seeing the bruising, small cuts, and scratches on the brothers' face and hands.
"Last hunt was a vengeful spirit," Sam told him.
"Yeah, once the spirit realized what we were doing, he was not happy," Dean added.
"He tossed us around a bit before we got the body salted and burned."
"Luckily, you two got off without any major injuries."
"That we were," Sam agreed. "Too many hunts end badly."
"I'm heading upstairs to take a nap," Dean grunted pushing his chair back to get up. He guzzled the last of his beer and burped loudly. "Good beer. I'm dragging after that drive."
"Alright son, go get you some rest," Bobby told him noticing how weary he looked. "How 'bout you Sam?"
"I'm good Bobby. I slept some in the car on the drive here."
"In that case, you want to finish some research I was working on for a hunter so I can head back out to the garage and work on a couple of vehicles?"
"Sure Bobby, I'll be happy to help." Sam got up with his beer and wandered toward Bobby's office.
"What I've done so far is in that file there," Bobby pointed to a file on the desk.
"Okay, I'll see what I can find." Sam took a seat in the desk chair and flipped open the file to scan it while Bobby headed back to the garage. He looked at the books on the bookcases lining the walls until he found what he wanted. Sam continued Bobby's research and several hours later emailed the information to an address on the folder for the hunter. Once he was done, Sam sat at the desk trying to decide what to do next. He knew he would be no help to Bobby in the garage since that wasn't his thing.
Deciding he might as well check the fridge and start dinner for them, Sam got up and made his way to the kitchen. He rummaged around in the fridge pulling out a pack of chicken and some fresh vegetables. He searched for a pan and began to prepare the meal. Once he had it ready, Sam slipped the pan into the oven to cook and then cleaned up his mess. He was going to wait as long as he could before going to wake his brother for dinner.
spn
"Are you about ready?" Dean called to his brother as he slapped the bathroom door twice in passing.
"I'll be out in a minute," Sam snarled through the door. "We have plenty of time."
"Don't want to keep Jody waiting. I'm heading downstairs." Dean left Sam to finish whatever he was doing in the bathroom. "Hey Bobby, are you sure there's nothing we need to pick up for Jody on the way?"
"No, I talked to her earlier and she's good."
"I'll grab the beer and take it to the car. If Sammy's not down in ten minutes, we're leaving his slow ass here."
"Give your brother some slack Dean, you know he's always been like this."
"Yeah, yeah," Dean huffed. "But that doesn't make it any less annoying. I learned to tell him we're leaving thirty minutes before we needed to leave so we could be on time."
"Not a bad idea. And he hasn't seen through that yet?"
"Don't know," Dean shrugged carrying two six packs of beer out the door.
Bobby looked toward the stairs when he heard the noise of footsteps coming down them. Sam met his gaze for a moment as he joined him in the living room. He smoothed down his shirt and tucked his long hair behind his ear.
"Where's Dean?" Sam questioned.
"Putting the beer in the car. He'll be back…"
"It's about time Samantha. I swear you take longer than any woman," Dean scolded Sam. "Shall we leave and hopefully beat the rain."
"Lead the way son. Just get us there in one piece," Bobby insisted.
"Of course, Bobby," Dean assured him. "Gotta get the beer there in one piece," he snickered dodging a slap to the head from Bobby.
They got in the Impala, Sam getting in the back and giving Bobby shotgun position. He stretched out across the seat enjoying the extra room and listened to Bobby and Dean talk but not bothering to join in. He looked out the window as drops of rain began to fall from the grey clouds filling the sky.
spn
Dean pulled up to Jody's house and parked beside her sheriff's SUV. The rain had turned into a steady drizzle, and they hurried for the front porch before the heavens opened up and drenched them. Dean knocked on the door and waited for Jody to answer it.
"Boys! It's good to see you." Jody exclaimed starting to hug them until she saw their injuries. "Are you two okay?" she asked turning Sam's head to see the ugly bruise on the side of his face, alone with a couple of minor cuts.
"Hey Jody," Sam replied. "We're okay, just got tossed around a little by an unfriendly spirit."
"Jody," Dean greeted her accepting her hug and wincing slightly from her tight hug on his sore ribs.
"Come on in. Bobby, good to see you," she greeted him kissing him lightly on the cheek.
"Happy Thanksgiving, Jody. Thanks for having us over," Bobby replied, smiling warmly at her as he followed her inside.
"Is Castiel coming?" she asked glancing around but not seeing him.
"He's supposed to join us is all I know," Bobby replied. "Dean talked to him."
The guys were in the kitchen putting the beer in the fridge. Well, Sam was doing that while Dean was peaking in pots and trying to sample what Jody was cooking.
"Freeze young man!" Jody yelled at Dean before he could put the bite of food in his mouth. "Slowly step away from the stove. Put your hands in the air."
"Awe Jody, I just wanted a taste," Dean whined like a five year old kid.
"Lunch will be ready in about an hour. You can wait," she stated in her sheriff voice as she shooed the guys from the kitchen.
"Where's Claire?" Sam asked looking around and not seeing her.
"Her room," Jody sighed rolling her eyes. "She wasn't happy I asked you to invite Castiel."
"I'll go talk to her," Sam decided getting up and heading down the hall thinking he would have better luck than Dean at convincing her to come out of her room.
"Am I late?" Castiel asked when he suddenly appeared in the living room with a flutter of wings and disturbance of air.
"No, you're right on time," Jody greeted him, giving him a brief hug. "Why don't you have a seat beside Dean while I check on the food?"
"I'll give you a hand," Bobby offered getting up to follow her.
"Dean, it's good to see you," Castiel spoke to him.
"You too Cas. Where's the remote? Might as well see what's on the tube," Dean answered as he looked around for the remote. After finding it, he turned on the television and flipped through the channels until finding a parade. "Guess this will do until the game comes on."
Castiel cocked his head as he watched the floats driving by and listened to the commentator talk about them. He didn't question where Sam and Claire were since he could sense them in the house.
spn
Sam stopped at Claire's bedroom door and knocked softly before opening the door and sticking his head in.
"Can I come in?" he asked seeing Claire stretched out on her bed listening to her music.
"Yes, I guess," Claire grunted, a sour look on her face. She shifted on her bed giving Sam enough room to sit down.
Sam entered the bedroom and sat down at the bottom of the bed as he gathered his thoughts to decide how to talk to her about Castiel. He knew she resented him because he had possessed her father and took him away from her. She also blamed the angel for what happened to her mother. And when he was brought back, it was still in the same body even though Jimmy's soul was in Heaven.
"How's school going?" he asked trying to break the silence in the room.
"It sucks. Everyone is so immature. I want to train to hunt, but Jody wants me to finish school first. Hell, she doesn't want me to hunt at all."
"Claire, language," Sam chastised her gently.
"Is he here?" she asked in disdain.
"I'm not sure. Cas said he would be here," Sam started. "Claire, maybe you're being too hard on him. He does care about you. He helped you out and tried to look after you. You need to remember Cas is still learning about humans and how to handle feelings and emotions"
"He took my dad from me and now my mom is gone too," Claire stated in a serious voice, her gaze boring into him. "How can I forgive him for that?"
"From what Cas told us, it was Jimmy's choice to let Cas possess him. I know that might be hard to understand his reasoning for doing that, but it doesn't make Cas a bad person. He has fought by our sides and has given his life several times for us; yet someone brought him back with the same body. Maybe there's a reason we don't understand. Will you at least…." Sam was cut short by someone pounding on the door making him jump from the bed and tense going on the defensive.
"The food's on the table so get your sorry asses out here, 'cause I'm not waiting on you," Dean's voice boomed through the door.
"Shall we Claire," Sam asked holding out his hand to her. "Jody did go to all the trouble of fixing a huge meal."
Claire looked up at him for a moment before sighing heavily and taking his hand. She let him pull her from the bed and they headed from the room, down the hall, and into the dining room where the table was set and loaded with food.
Castiel looked at Claire for a moment with hope and uncertainty. He knew how she felt about him and wasn't sure what to do to change her mind.
"Everyone, grab a seat," Jody told them as she sat a platter filled with sliced turkey in the middle of the table.
"No complaining about the drinks," Dean growled. "I guessed, if you don't like it, fix it yourself."
Sam had to hide a snicker with a cough as he steered Claire to a chair that was beside Castiel and gave Dean a bitch face when he arched his eyebrows but moved to another chair beside Jody.
"Before we start eating, I think we each should say a few words," Jody started smacking Dean's hand when he reached for a bowl. "We should say what we're thankful for."
"Go ahead Jody," Sam told her giving his brother a stern look because of his grimaced expression.
"Thanks Sam. I am thankful we could all be here today and come together as a family. I'm thankful for everyone gathered around this table," Jody started and looked to Sam to go next.
"I'm thankful…" Sam started but paused for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. "For a big brother who always has my back and looks out for me. And for the extended family I have that's sitting around this table."
"I agree with what Jody said. Family don't end with blood in my book. I have a family that I never thought I'd have, and I couldn't be more proud of my boys," Bobby said looking to Sam and Dean. "Sometimes it's hard to be thankful when focused on so much bad, so you take what you can get."
"That is so true Bobby." Jody nodded to Bobby. "Claire, what about you?" she urged when she didn't say anything.
"I'm thankful for Jody. She took me in, no questions asked, and never gave up on me, no matter how bad I acted," Claire answered looking to Jody and giving her a brief smile. "And for all of you caring about me when I lost my parents. You gave me another family."
"I'm thankful for all this delicious homecooked food and the family here to enjoy it with," Dean offered. "Last year Sammy and me went to a strip club buffet for Thanksgiving and lets just say it does not compare to the spread we have today."
"Well, at least you don't need a fist of one dollar bills," Bobby teased.
"If you want to leave a tip, just put it on the table," Jody added. "I don't need any money stuffed down my bra or jeans."
Sam had just taken a sip of beer and choked from Jody's comment sending beer down his shirt and dribbling down his chin. He coughed for a minute as Claire slapped him on the back a couple of times trying not to laugh out loud. She twitched a smile and seemed to be finally relaxing. She was even more tolerant of Castiel for the moment glancing over at him.
"You okay over there Sammy?" Dean asked with a chuckle.
"Yeah…" Sam wheezed shaking his head yes when he couldn't get the words out.
"Cas, you're next," Dean told him. "Hurry up so we can eat."
"I didn't understand the point of celebrating a date marking colonization and attempted genocide of a native race before, but now I understand it's really about expressing gratitude in various ways and celebrating family and friends. I am thankful to be included in this gathering of family."
Everyone stared at Castiel for a moment thinking about his statement. He could be blunt, naive, clueless, about most things, but he was learning the more he was around the Winchester brothers.
"Okay Dean, you can start now," she laughed seeing Dean fidgeting, anxious to start eating.
"Ditto to what Jody said," Dean agreed. "Now, let's dig in." He started serving himself and passing the bowls around as everyone filled their plates.
"Don't forget to leave room for pies Dean," Jody commented as she saw his full plate.
"Don't you worry, there'll be room," Dean replied as he took a bite of turkey. "Man Jody, you do know how to cook up a bird."
"Dean's right Jody, everything is really good," Sam agreed.
"I second that," Bobby added.
"Why thank you everyone, but I didn't do it alone. Claire was a big help."
Claire blushed slightly with the recognition and kept her head down as everyone praised her too. Sam gave her a sideways hug and whispered something in her ear where only she could hear making her nod and smile.
"It is good," Castiel offered to Claire as he sampled the food.
"Thanks," she mumbled being polite for Jody's sake. This was not the time to cause a scene and gave Sam a knowing look when he patted her leg where no one else could see.
"I'll have that squad car ready for you probably in another day," Bobby told Jody.
"That's fine, just let me know and I'll send someone to pick it up," she answered. Jody kept an eye on Claire hoping she would behave since she knew how easily she lost her temper. She was a strong willed young woman who spoke her mind no matter who it might hurt.
Everyone carried on light conversation as they stuffed themselves with the delicious food. True to his word, Dean had a slice of each of the pies Jody had baked. Sam volunteered Claire, Castiel, and himself to do the dishes and clean up for Jody. He wanted to give the two a little time together with him as referee.
Claire ran the hot water in the sink and added the detergent to wash the dishes and Sam had Castiel rinse and dry them so he could put them away. Sam watched them closely seeing the tension in Claire and reluctance in Castiel. The others had moved to the living room, and he could hear the television announcing the beginning of a football game.
"How have you been doing?" Castiel asked Claire cautiously. He could feel the anger and heartache inside of her and wished he could do or say something to take it away.
"Fine," Claire answered in a stiff voice. "Not much happens around here that's interesting."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"Why? You think I will get into trouble or something? I can handle myself," she miffed with a sniff splashing water from the sink as she plopped dishes into the hot water.
"Here, let me," Castiel quickly said using the dishtowel to wipe up the mess so it wouldn't wet her shirt. "And I didn't mean to upset you. I know you can take care of yourself, but I'm glad you decided to stay with Jody."
"Jody's okay, she gives me my space. I'm not the easiest person to get along with. I guess I'm lucky that she took me in."
"Jody is a special individual, and she thinks of you as family."
"I think this is the last of the dirty dishes," Sam interrupted sitting the last of the pots and bowls on the counter to be washed. "Is everything okay?" he asked cautiously just happy they were talking at all.
"Yeah, it's fine Sam," Claire responded adding more dishes to the soapy water. She told Castiel where to put some of the dried dishes and maybe seemed to be warming up to him a little. She waited until Sam had left before speaking again. "Castiel, I'm not sure if I told you after everything that happened, thank you for what you did for me."
"I wish I could have done more. I just hope you are comforted in knowing your parents are together now and at peace."
"In a way, I guess it helps," Claire sighed softly. "Mom was so lost after Dad left…I'm glad they found each other again. Maybe…If you give me some time…We can be friends too…" Claire glanced sideways at the angel and saw joy on his face.
"You can have all the time you need Claire. I would like to be your friend. If there is anything I can do for you, just pray for me."
"Thanks. Guess we should get these finished up and go join the others."
"Alright," Castiel agreed as his heart swelled with happiness that maybe he could be in Claire's life after all.
Sam stood there in the doorway for a moment looking at the two deciding to leave them alone and go see what the others were doing. He found Dean on the couch, slumped to the side asleep and snoring softly. Bobby and Jody were talking quietly between themselves while the game droned on in the background. He took a seat and got questioning looks from them about the two in the kitchen. Sam shrugged his shoulders and gave a hopeful, maybe they were working things out look.
It had been a nice Thanksgiving for everyone.
The End