Title: What Was and What May Possibly Be?

A Dean/Jo Supernatural Story

This is an alternate universe fanfiction and is based on the storyline premise and monster from the "What Is and What Will Never Be" episode of season two! This author is in no way associated with the writers and/or producers of the Supernatural show and all characters belong to the awesome Eric Kripke and his associates. No copyright infringement is intended.

The story is told in the first person from the POV of Jo Harvelle. Reviews are always welcome.

Chapter Five: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

As I descend the stairs to the bottom level of the house, I am suddenly overwhelmed by the feeling of being home. It's like I'm experiencing deja vu for a life that in all likelihood has never existed.

There are family pictures everywhere I look, a variety of sizes and frames adorning both table and wall surfaces. Most of the photos are of L'il Sam of course but there are others as well. There's one of Dean's parents when they were young, one of Dean and Sam leaning against the Impala, a realistic snapshot of Bobby loading a shot gun with rock salt, a candid of Ash and me playing pool at the Roadhouse and finally one of my mom looking extremely happy on what could only be her wedding day.

I pick up the frame encasing this photo so that I can examine it more closely. Mom's wearing her one good pair of jeans and a biker jacket but she's also holding some flowers and smiling up at some guy that I don't recognize. I'm guessing this is my step-dad. I'll have to remember to ask Dean what his name is so that when I see them, I won't look like I've totally lost my mind.

I replace the photo to its resting spot on the table and turn towards the kitchen as Bobby enters the the living room to announce his departure.

"What do you mean? You're not staying for the birthday celebration?" I ask him confused as to why he's leaving.

"Probably not a good idea. You know that things are tense between your mom and me...well it's probably best we steer clear of each other right now," he replies.

I really have to ask him even if I'm already supposed to know.

"Why is that Bobby?"

"You know why," he answer cryptically with a slight frown.

I decide to play along, hoping he'll offer me some helpful information.

"Yeah well you two need to get over yourselves. We're a family." There that sounds like me.

"Hey! It's not my fault that she married a moron!" Bobby exclaims.

Bulls-eye!

"What exactly is your problem with him anyway?" I continue to probe.

"You'll have to ask your mother that Jo," he responds. "Happy Birthday Girl!" and then surprisingly, he's pulling me into a hug. I immediately hug him back even though cuddly Bobby is a bit unnerving to say the least.

"Please stay," I plead with him softly.

"Jo, you know I've always thought of you and Dean as like my pseudo kids and Sammy...well he's the grandson I'll never have. But this thing between your mom and me...it complicates things and I can't stick around and pretend to be happy about everything. I'm sorry."

"When will you be back?"

"Tomorrow night, after your mom and Chuck head back to the Roadhouse. You have my cell if you need me...you know for anything Supernatural. Although it is your birthday so try and stay out of trouble for at least one day."

"I promise," I say to him with a smile.

"Yeah yeah, I've heard that before girl. See ya later," he says heading out the front door. He pauses before leaving however to add "and don't think I haven't noticed something is off with you today. Maybe it's just about getting older but I hope you'll let me help with whatever it is if I can. You better hope your mother doesn't notice though. I'm guessing she won't let you off the hook as easily as me." With his warning delivered he finally leaves, closing the door gently behind him.

WelI I guess I'm not as good at hiding my feelings as I think. At least I know my step-dad's name now. Geez, my mom married a guy named "Chuck"! That's just wrong on so many levels. Bobby obviously doesn't think too highly of him either. I wonder what Dean thinks of him. I'll have to ask him before... crap too late they're here I realize as a car horn honks from outside.

Well I guess it's show time! Put on your normal face Joanna-Beth. Your mama's here!

End Chapter Five.

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