Chapter One

Present

Winchester Castle - Leicestershire

Ancestral Home of the Family Winchester (since at least 889 AD)

As the two handsome men walked toward the study door, they looked at each other in worry. 'So, Sam did uncle say why he wanted to see us?'

Shrugging his shoulders 'Have no idea, but it must be something important since we just got back from another job just last night. Though, I do think dad and Bobbie know what it's about because they are the ones that pushed us out the door before even changing.

Smelling himself the brown-haired, green-eyed man looked at his younger brother. 'Dude, I really think that dad and Bobbie could have given us a chance to shower because we reek. Don't know how I feel about walking into uncle's study smelling like we do. I told you we should have killed that shape-shifter after it left the sewer.'

Laughing and looking over at his brother covered in dirt and the smell of day old eggs. 'Yeah, well Dean if you had just gone with the plan then I wouldn't have had to shoot the thing while you were standing behind him. And I don't think my reception will be as bad as yours, I just caught a little of it.'

'Shut up!' Dean slapped Sam's shoulder wiping his hand on the jacket as they walked closer to the door. 'Since you're my brother, the least you can do is get into as much trouble as me.'

Pushing Dean away from him. 'Dude, stop kidding around.' Sam said as they approached the door and notice Andrew standing outside with his eyebrow raised.

'Umm..hey Andrew. Our uncle asked to see us.' Sam said to the older gentleman standing outside the large double wooden doors.

'Hey..dude. How's it going. Uncle wanted us to come as soon as we returned home. Will be okay for us to see him now, Andy.' Dean asked looking at his hands and looking around for something to wipe his hands on.

The very proper older gentleman, whose family had been in service to the Westmoreland family for centuries looked at the two young men standing before him. 'Yes well, it is nice to see you again Master Samuel and Master Dean. It has been quite some time since we have had the pleasure of your company here at the palace. And though, his Grace asked to see you, I believe we could have been spared your delightful company until such time that you were both properly cleaned and dressed.'

'Yeah, well you will have to blame dad for that, Andy. He didn't give us much option, just chucked us in the car and sent us here.' Dean said with a bright smile. 'And you know you love us.' he finished as he went toward the butler to hug him.

Raising his eyebrow at him. 'Master Dean, you may find that there are many creatures in this world that are scared at just the sound of your voice or the whisper of your name. But, if you even think of touching me in any shape or form, I am not too old to take you over my lap and give you the punishment you deserve for being presumptuous. Like I did when you were little.'

Smiling at the man that helped to bring them up. 'I was just kidding. I know better.' Dean finished as Andrew handed him a towel.

'I believe your uncle can spare a few moments to give you both some time to clean up and get properly dressed.' Andrew told them as he pointed toward the hallway leading upstairs. 'Your rooms are ready, go and clean up and come down when you are ready.'

'Oh right, Andy. Knew why you were always a favorite of mine.' Dean smiled patting the old butler's shoulder as he walked by.

Looking at the smug that Dean's hand had left behind; the butler could only smile slightly. 'The only reason why I was your favorite, Master Dean was because unlike my brother, I would cover up when you got into cook's cookie jar before dinner, even to the extend of saying that I took it. To this day, the cook still gives me suspicious looks when I go anywhere near that damn cookie jar and I don't even like cookies. You young rapscallion. I could never understand why you just couldn't be more like Master Samuel.'

Walking past Andrew to join his brother Sam only laughed. 'Because Andrew, if I was then who would always be there to smile brightly at cook so you could get away before she hit you with the rolling pin.'

Chuckling at the memory, the Duke's assistant hurried them off. 'Off with both of you. Reminiscing about the past can wait until another day. Do not keep, your uncle waiting longer than necessary I expect both of you to be back within the half hour. No dawdling' Looking directly at Dean who smiled innocently.

'What.. I was never late.' he began until he saw the old begin to say something. 'Well, when it was important. Anyway, uncle scares me too much to keep him waiting. We'll be back.'

Shaking his head as he watched the two young men walk away, he turned to knock on the double door waiting until he heard a voice say 'enter'. Opening the door he could see a distinguished man sitting behind a large oak desk, dressed in a dark suit, every strand of hair in place and standing behind him stood two older men, who gave every impression of warriors, from the hard look in their eyes to the almost tense frame their bodies held.

'So, you sent them to clean up did you, Andrew?' the distinguished man's deep voice echoed through the room.

'Yes, well it was either that or have them come into your inner-sanctum with the smell of dead flesh, rotten eggs and the chances of them getting something dripped all over your Persian rug. Which is the reason I believe John sent them here in the condition they were in.' Andrew stated looking over that the dark-haired man standing to the right of the man seated in the chair. 'You wanted them to get reprimanded didn't you? You always did have a morbid sense of humor, John.'

Laughing at Andrew at getting caught. 'Oh, Drew you were always over-protective of the boys.'

'Yes, well I felt someone needed too. They were always expected to become the best John and were trained to fight the battles others would run from. I don't why, I could not protect them on those days that they didn't have to be the prophesy warriors that was expected of them.'

have strong opinions on, it will get us nowhere. Since the boys will be back soon, we should discuss what needs to be prepared and what is expected of them regarding this new mission. We all know how imp

John opened his mouth to reply. Holding up his hand the man seated in the chair stopped the conversation. 'Enough, this is an old argument and that you both ortant this is. Now, Len will be here in a few hours, she is aware of what is going on, but not the whole situation, we need to decide what can and cannot be told to all three of them. We need to prepare them for what may happen without giving too much away. We still don't know how information is being leaked to the demons….we need….' the voice faded out as Andrew closed the door.

Meanwhile Upstairs

Dean opened the door, noticing something on the bed he moved toward it to investigate. Looking at the clothes laid out on the bed he sighed 'Oh come on, Andy. You've got to be kidding me. You're killing me here, old man.' he finished as he heard a door open, turning to see Sam walk through the connecting door.

Sam watched Dean's reaction and could only laugh. 'I see you found the clothes that Andrew laid for us.'

'What, Sammy. You think this funny. You know I hate these things. I hated to wear them when we were little, but didn't have a choice back then. Now, being an adult, I thought I would have a choice. Does this look like their giving me choice! Look at it, Sammy.' Dean said with panic in his voice as he picked up the dark grey slacks and light blue long sleeve shirt that laid on the bed and the matching suit jacket and light grey vest and tie that went with it. He also pointed to the shiny black loafers and dark grey socks that sat next to the clothes. 'He gave me loafers to wear, Sammy. Loafers, for God's sake. I haven't worn those since the day I threw my last pair into the lake when I was 12.'

'This is the reason why Andrew probably gave you this pair. He was very upset with you, Dean. He did shine those shoes himself, even told you how handsome you looked in them and you barely had them on for barely and hour before, Andrew looked out the window to see you tossing them into the lake with glee in your face. He was quite disappointed; I understood later, you made him lose 20 pounds to his brother, Adrian. They had a bet that you could keep it on for at least an hour, it wouldn't have been so bad if you could have waited at least another 5 minutes.'

'Yes, well I heard about that and I still think Addy fix the clock. I know I had it on for at least an hour. I know it. Well, it might have been less; it felt like forever, though.' Dean tried to defend himself as he looked at the clothes in disgust. 'There is no wayy….' he began to say when they heard a knock at the door. 'Come in' Sam answered watching as the door opened and two older and larger men entered the room.

'Nice too see you again, Master Dean and Master Sam. Andrew sent us up to assist you in getting ready. He felt that one of you may have to be persuaded to get dressed into proper Englishman attire and wanted us to ensure that he did not put up 'too much of a fuss' as he put it.' said one of the men as he stared at Dean.

'Umm…hi..Ben and Walter, it's been a long time. I am so glad that you are still here. I was just telling Dean how much we missed playing cards with you guys.' Sam smiled as he looked at the two older guys that had been on the estate for as long as they could remember. 'Yeah, well, I don't think I will need any help getting dress. In fact, I will leave you guys to help Dean and go and get ready….umm..yeah…see you later..bro' Sam said laughing as he walked toward his door.

Watching as his brother abandon him to Andrew's assistants. 'Hey, Sam, come on. You really aren't going to leave me like this.' Dean started to say.

'Oh don't worry Master Dean. Walter will still be helping Master Samuel to get ready. I am sure you will be cooperative and NOT have to have Walter stay to assist me?' Ben stated his voice going deep as he moved towards the connecting bathroom in Dean's room. 'Now, I am going to start your bath, once it's ready, please clean up while I get your clothes ready.'

'Oh, no..Ben. No, it won't be necessary. Walter won't be needed. I got it. I got it.' Dean said as he gave his brother a lost and doomed look.

'It won't be so bad, Dean. Just get it done and then it will be all over.' Sam said as he was followed by Walter. 'See you in 10.'

'It will be more like 20 mins.. Master Samuel, you know how difficult and fidgety that Master Dean can get when putting on a tie.' Ben stated as he exited the bathroom and pointed to Dean. 'Bath is ready, please go and clean yourself. You smell like a pile of garbage full of dead fish, it offends me. I cannot believe that you were even thinking about seeing his Grace in the state you are in.' Ben gave Dean an almost angry look.

'Yeah, ummm I didn't so no need to give me that look. I'll just go and get cleaned up.' Dean said backing up into the bathroom.

'That would be a wonderful idea, Master Dean and please make sure you use soap. There is a reason its there.' Ben said sarcastically.

'I know, I know and it was only that one time, geez Ben. It's not like I was that dirty in the first place.' Dean tried to defend himself.

'Yes, well. I don't think that Miss Valerie appreciated the fact that you picked her up for her dance still smelling a bit like the pig sty you fell into.' Ben said

'Well, Andy told me it was not polite to keep a young lady waiting.' Dean answered back.

'I believe you did that more to get back at Lady Len because she forced you to take Miss Valerie than for the fact that you were late.'

'Well, it's not like I really wanted to take that girl in the first place. Len knew I didn't like her. She did that to get back at me for dropping her on her butt during martial arts practice.'

'Enough, Master Dean. Please go and bathe. I will be here getting your things ready.'

'Yeah, yeah..I'm going…geez' Dean said as he walked into the bathroom.

Sighing. 'It is always a circus when you are around Master Dean. Good thing we get years of rest before every visit.'