Notes: Fangirling, gushing, drunken confessions and parents eager to get their kids laid...yup! Sounds like a good chapter!
ashwingsmokefeather: Yay! Someone else who likes ceramic Chuck! He is quite spectacular =) I'm super happy that you're enjoying the fic so far. I'll admit to being a little worried about this one XD
Disclaimer: GAH! WHY?! Why in every chapter must I torture myself with the reminder than none of this shall ever be mine! D'X
Warnings: This story contains religious themes and undertones throughout the whole story. No offense is meant. It is simply one single view/opinion that someone may have. It doesn't necessarily have to be the authors actual opinion, so if possible I would like to ask for no flames and if you are truly offended then feel free to private message me to share your thoughts and you can skip this story.
CHAPTER 4
The song had finally stopped and with it the crew of the Impala all came to the mutual decision that they all needed more drinks. Even Balthazar was in such a state that he had forgotten his distaste completely and suddenly had a craving for the grainy beverage and went to purchase another round for all of them. The others remained at the table in an awkward silence.
Chuck was practically beaming though. He now had proof that people had actually read his works, and even better still, really really liked it. They even wrote a song! How many books got songs, really? He was itching to talk to some of the mudders about their interpretations or thoughts, but a stern look from his Captain kept him in his seat. Laying low, right.
The crew became distracted as Balthazar arrived with the next round and Chuck didn't notice a girl's approach behind him until she had tapped him lightly on the shoulder. Upon turning to see who wanted his attention, he was greeting with an almost inhuman squeal from the individual that had the crew cringe back expecting their ears to shatter like with Cas' own special call. But the only side effect of her squack was a slight irritation.
"Oh my God! You, you're…!"
"Chuck Shirley, Yeah. Hiya."
Another episode of squealing, "Oh, this is too much! Did you get my letters and marzipan?" she asked excitedly, bouncing up and down on her toes. Her constant erratic movements seemed to be putting Meg on edge and Dean had to slap her hand away from her gun.
Chuck was bewhildered, "Wah? No, I don't think I got any of those…marzipan?"
She took a moment to "collect" herself by taking a big breath and fanning her face, "Oh, don't worry. I have copies somewhere for you as well as another batch somewhere. I just want you to know, I am your number one fan. Oh! And I'm Becky Rosen by the way." She flung out her hand so fast to be shook that even Dean reached for his gun. This girl had to be on something with all of the crazy talk and energy bouncing around her.
Her loud voice worried Dean that it might draw too much attention to their little corner of the bar, but the locals all seemed to be used to her antics and kept on with their drinks, ignoring her happy chatter like it was just background noise.
Hesitantly Chuck shook her hand, and peered back at his crew members for help. All he got was four sets of shrugs.
"So, um Becky…You've read my book then?" He tried.
She rolled her eyes dramatically, "Of course! Everyone here has! It changed our lives. They even make the kids read it in school as required material here."
"Really? They're teaching my methods?" Chucks eyes lit up in wonder.
"Duh! Hey everyone!" she shouted across the bar. Only a few looked up, "Look who it is! The hero of Canton had come back. It's Chuck!"
Finally everyone's heads picked up from where they were staring down at the tables, looks of disbelief on their faces until they caught sight of the layered Chuck. Somehow recognizing him under all of those ridiculous clothes, the bar erupted into cheers and applause. Within a few seconds their little corner became swamped with people. Meg looked like a cornered cat ready to strike at the next person who came too close, and Balthazar downed another drink while Bobby watched the growing crowd around them with growing caution.
Then the bartender somehow squeezed his way through the throng to their table, ripping away each of their mugs, "No friends of the Great Chuck, and especially not the hero himself will be drinking that chou ma niao! You guys drink the best whiskey in the house!" He announced pouring them each a very unhealthily full tumbler of alcohol each. (Panda Piss)
Over the din, Dean leaned over to Bobby worriedly, "We are so royally screwed."
The preacher nodded gravely, "I'm glad that you noticed. I was beginning to wonder if you actually knew the definition of "lay low". At this rate we'll all be chopped up and dunked in the bog by the Canton prod crew my morning."
The Captain swallowed heavily, "I'll admit that I'm a little concerned at this point, but perhaps this could be all part of our new plan."
Somehow Meg had been able to hear them over the cacophony of noise and leaned in close, "How in the fuck is this part of the plan?"
Dean smiled weakly, "I'm still working on the details."
Another cheer roared out of the crowd where Chuck had been led off to the main part of the bar, surrounded on all sides by adoring fans. Balthazar groaned again and poured himself another drink from the bottle of whiskey left at their table.
The preparations involved in her normal appointments had become ingrained a long time ago. She would start by lighting the scented candles and incense so that the smell would have time to permeate the room before her client arrived. Then she would make sure that any and all necessary tools for the coupling was discretely beside the bed, ready for use but not there to daunt or make her client uncomfortable. Then she would start heating water for tea, her favorite way to start a session with a first timer. Besides a general making sure that everything was in place, all that was left for her was a small portion of time for her to center herself and find her peace so that she would be refreshed for the upcoming session.
The ceremony of it all always served to calm her. It was also why she was so well known for her trade. She never appeared nervous, or shaken. She just was graceful and refined.
She had just time to finish her short meditation ritual and place in the tea leaves when Mr. Higgins entered her shuttle, exactly at 7:30 and with a young man in tow. She had not been expecting the magistrate to come here.
He greeted her boisterously, startling her, "Anna, allow me to introduce my son, Fess Higgins." The young man stepped forward, eyes cast down and clearly very uncomfortable with the proceedings.
"Hello, Fess. Welcome. Now, Mr. Higgins, this shuttle is a place of union. If you would please…"
"What is all of this? I brought you here to bed my son, not throw him a tea party." He shouted, gesturing to the candles and cups laid out on the table. Anna bristled, but didn't even bat an eyelid.
"Sir, the Companion Greeting Ceremony is a ritual with centuries of tradition…"
But she was rudely interrupted, "My son is 26 years old and he isn't yet a men. And since he can't find a willing woman himself…"
Fed up with the interruption and quickly losing her peace, Anna jumped in harshly as her soft voice would allow, "Mr. Higgins, you are not allowed here."
"What?!"
"As I have said, this room is considered a place of union. Only your son belongs here. So why don't you go on, and let us begin our work." she stated, more calmly this time as if talking to a petulant child.
His face turned red with outrage and embarrassment, "Now listen here, lady…:
"Good night, Mr. Higgins," she stated firmly. Her tone held room for no argument and finally the fuming Magistrate left the shuttle, stomping loudly as he walked off. She rolled her eyes before turning back to her client. What did the magistrate expect to do? Stay here and watch? There were plenty of things that could be included in her contract, but observing parents or relatives was completely out of the question. She schooled her face before turning back to Fess, expression completely relaxed again.
"Well, that's a bit more comfortable. Will you sit?"
After Balthazar had nearly toppled over several times now in the last five minutes, Dean decided that it was time to bring him back to the ship. He asked that Meg and Bobby keep an eye on Chuck and any other mind boggling developments until he got back. They both saluted him with their half empty mugs before he stalked off, a giggling Balthazar supported at his side.
He had started whining about half-way back when he finally realized that Dean had removed him from the party, "Hey, where…where's the rum gone? And where is dear ol' Chuckie? I have to commend him. I never thought the poor sod could throw such a fantastic party!"
Shifting the drunken man on his shoulder Dean answered, "I believe that you finished all of the rum, so I'm taking you back to the ship for some rest."
Balthazar looked over with a warm smile, "Oh, you're so thoughtful! Always taking care of others. You know…I don't give you enough credit for looking after Casssy….hic…"
That made Dean pause and he turned to regard his companion who had stopped giggling for the moment. He was still looking at Dean with an intensity that the Captain thought that only Cas could pull off.
"I know that…I've been a little rough on you lately…"
Dean snorted, "Yeah, more like an elephant making love to a cat rough."
Balthazar continued like he hadn't heard him, "But I want you to know that it was because I was scared of how close you were getting to him. I thought that I was upset because I felt that you were taking advantage of his…vulnerable state, but I know differently now. I….hic…I know now that I was actually scared of losing Cassy again. To you, of all people. He's still so fragile, you know? I'm so scared that he will break apart... and get blown away by the wind. But then I see how he acts around you. I can…catch glimpses of how he used to be, when you two are together. He's drawn to you for whatever reason. I'd never seen him do that with anyone until you came along. The very moment you opened up that little ice box, he was yours. Like an odd sort of messed up birthday present all packaged up. I know now that at that moment he was already lost to me….hic…"
They were both facing each other now, in the middle of the dirt path back to the ship. The only sound breaking through the night were the scattered crickets and creek bubbling in the back.
"Listen, Balthazar. You haven't lost him. He'll always be your brother, even with how messed up things have become. He'll always look up to you 'cause that's what little brothers do. So it's your job as a big brother to be there for him, always. I'll always be there for Sammy even if he finally settles down somewhere and says he doesn't need me. I'll always be there because we can never know if he will need me again." He moved up closer to Balthazar and laid a hand on his shoulder,
"Just because Cas is starting to do things for himself doesn't mean he's going to throw you away like some outdated jacket. He'll keep you in his closet until that night when it's cold and he needs you to comfort him."
"And keeping with the metaphor, I suppose that you will be keeping him warm and comforting him until that time he needs me again?"Balthazar slurred.
The look he had on his face now reminded Dean of himself when Sam had first gone off to college, leaving his family behind. Dean had felt abandoned for the longest time, perhaps even useless because all he had ever known was keep your family safe, and watch out for Sammy. It wasn't until Sam came back, seeking out his older brother for comfort after that tragedy, that Dean knew that he had not been cast off. Sam had always known that his brother would be there for him, and coming back to him Dean realized that family wasn't a net to trap them all together, but more like a set of arms waiting open for someone to return….or some girly shit like that. He wasn't sure as it was Anna who explained it to him at one point long ago.
"Balthazar, I want you to know that I will never intentionally hurt Cas. I know that he's still struggling, and I just want you to know that I will help him the best way that I can. If he wants or needs me, I'm there for him." Dean said seriously. Balthazar might not remember any of this come morning, but just in case he did remember, Dean would promise him this.
Then Balthazar's big grin spread back over his features and the giggling started again, "Excellent! Then you two have my blessings! On to the ship! I have to piss like a racehorse!"
"Lovely."
Still keeping the stumbling Novak vertical, Dean led them both along the path, thinking hard along the way while avoiding roots and bushes.
"Oh, and you have full permission to continue your eye molestation with my brother. It makes for a more interesting dinner when you sit across from each other."
D'awww, Dean and Balthazar had a moment . Next chapter we got plot/fluffy goodness that y'all seem to like so much! I even threw in some minor jealous!Dean for my girl katie!
