Ah, Bobby Singer. The gruffest, most sarcastic father-figure in the show meets the headstrong and playful blonde girl. Truly this will be difficult. I might just have to draw on my own experience with my father. (Checks on dad watching baseball game) Hmmm, ok, my dad lacks gruff, but he makes up for it in sarcasm. I can work with that. Hope you all enjoy!

And now: Bobby

Disclaimer: Why no, I don't own Supernatural. Why do you ask?

XXX

"Jo, could ya hurry it up already? We've been here an hour and I don't trust those idjits alone in my house for this long."

The blonde hunter blinked. "Why not? You leave the guys alone all the time."

He scowled. "Yeah, but this time they've got Gabriel with 'em and knowin' my luck the feathery moron will get them all so hyped up on sugar they'll end up blowin' up my whole damn house."

Jo didn't even try to hide the sudden onslaught of giggles. "Oh, it won't be that bad! Besides, Cas is with them. I'm sure he can keep the peace for a little while longer."

Bobby rolled his eyes. "If you're wrong you owe me a new house."

"Well it wouldn't be taking so long if you didn't shoot down every outfit I showed you."

"Hey, you want my opinion then you take what I give ya and like it."

Jo sighed but couldn't help the small smile that touched her lips. As much as he growled and grumbled, it had been his idea to go shopping with her. Ever since her dad had died Bobby'd tried to act as a sort of surrogate father-figure, much like he had for the boys. It was usually pretty sweet of him to do so, given how far out of his comfort zone it brought him, but his gruff refusal to see her as anything but a little girl could get pretty irritating, especially in situations like this.

That didn't mean it wasn't fun to toy with him like she would a real dad, though.

With that in mind, she pulled out a frilly French maid uniform. "How about this?"

The look on his face was priceless. "You wear that an' I'll make ya clean every room in the house."

The maid outfit was gone in a blink. She had no desire to spend Halloween cleaning Bobby's mess of a house. Honestly, sometimes she felt the scrap yard out back was neater! She grabbed another costume. "Ok, then what about this?"

Bobby glared at the skimpy nurse uniform. "Put it back. I don't need Dean makin' suggestions about you two playin' doctor unless you want me t' send him on a one-way trip to the hospital."

She tried to suppress the smile at that one. "This?" She held up a glittery fairy costume.

"I've already got blood an' booze stainin' my carpet; I don't need glitter in the mix."

The vampire costume was also rejected. "You want me cuttin' off your head?"

As was the Playboy Bunny. "Featherbrain might confuse you for one of his imaginary strippers."

And the schoolgirl. "You ain't Catholic and you ain't wearing that."

And the slutty angel. "Jesus, Jo, are you trying t' make me kill every male in my house?"

Finally, Jo grew bored with her game. Fun as it was to watch Bobby get closer and closer to a rage-induced aneurism, she really did need a costume and she really wanted his approval, if for no other reason than to keep him from killing the guys. "Ok, Bobby, what do you think I should go as?"

He shrugged. "An Eskimo? It's warm, it's different. Most of all it's covered," he muttered to himself, though he could tell Jo had heard him.

"Too confining. We get attacked I won't even be able to move, much less defend myself."

"Well, what about Little Red Ridin' Hood? I seem to remember you lovin' that story as a kid."

Jo smirked and showed him the adult version of the costume.

"I take it back. Damn, they gotta pervert everything?"

"Wasn't the original version about rape and cannibalism?"

"Fair enough. Alright, go as a porcupine." He frowned as Jo burst into hysterics. "What? It'll keep Dean from touchin' ya, so I won't have t' worry 'bout hidin' his body."

After a few moments she managed to regain her breath. "Be serious, Bobby!"

"I am serious. Sam an' Cas may have enough sense not to touch ya', but Dean an' Gabe don't have half a brain put together when it comes to a pretty girl. I ain't lettin' nobody take advantage of my little girl."

It was hard not to cave at his gruff confession. "Bobby, quit worrying. You've trained me too well to let either of those idjits do anything but stare."

His frown deepened. "I don't want them even starin'! Nobody stares at my little princess. Now how 'bout a suit of armor?"

At his suggestion Jo blinked, then grinned. "How about a compromise?" Taking his hand, she grabbed something long and purple from the rack and led him to the dressing rooms. A few minutes later she emerged, pretty and proud in a shimmery princess gown.

Bobby stared and tried his best to repress a smile. Now that was the Jo he liked. Much as he loved "Daddy's Little Hunter," it was kind of nice to see her all dolled up and girly once in a while. After all, she was practically his, so why shouldn't he consider her his little princess?

Something was missing, though. "Hang on. You ain't done, yet." Heading over to the accessories department, he grabbed a gold tiara with plastic gemstones. He rushed back and placed in her hair. "Every princess needs a crown, right?"

The gesture earned him a kiss on the cheek, which in turn earned her a genuine smile from the old hunter. "Thanks Bobby," she whispered, but they both knew she really meant "Thanks Daddy." Then her impish grin returned. "So does this mean one of the boys can be my knight in shining armor?"

Bobby's scowl returned. "Only if you want me dressin' up like a dragon and hiding ya in a dark cave."

XXX

Ok, that was fun to write! Bobby's such an awesome character and I can totally see him getting all protective of Jo, even against the Winchester boys. His accent was kind of a pain, though. Hopefully I didn't overdo it, I tried listening to him in clips, but after a while it's all kind of guesswork. Despite that, I still enjoyed writing for him and Jo. Their dialogue was still way too much fun than should be allowed.

So, I don't really know who to write next. Balthazar maybe? Does anyone have a suggestion? Past pairings are accepted, but I'll need a costume suggestion to go with it. Please review!