_Chapter 17_

"Keepsake"

Trinity

Living at Bobby's was pretty nice actually.

As soon as we got somewhat settled, he basically adopted me. I had to laugh inside my head when I thought about it because it was just his personality. H

e was a fatherly figure and I saw how much it helped the boys, even Cas.

It was now December and my birthday was coming up, the third one with the Winchesters, and I was turning twenty six. Wow, I thought to myself. The past few years have just flown by it seemed. I was twenty three when I met the Winchesters, only eighteen when I first met Cas. But the more I thought about it, the less it felt like it had flown by, and the more I realized how much better my life is with these people. I got a big brother, a best friend, a new father figure, and I found love. I was actually happy if you put aside all the crap we've all been through.

I tried to do something nice for their birthdays too since they usually try to do the same for me. But sometimes, with said crap going on, it becomes hard. But even if we didn't get to do anything in the daytime, I would sneak over to them in their sleep and whisper, "Happy birthday." Half the time, because of their heightened senses and reflexes, we'd scare each other from their jolting awake, but then we'd smile and feel the love for one another.

…

This birthday was simple and small, and that's all I wanted. Just for us to sit at home and be together. No war, no hunting, just us. It was nice. The boys tried to make a cake, and just the mere idea of them baking, I can only imagine. Apparently, in the words of Sam, Dean wore a frilly apron. When he said that I couldn't stop laughing and Dean punched him in the arm but didn't deny it.

We sat at the table, just the five of us and enjoyed our night of actual laughter and peace for once.

When we were all eating the cake, Bobby cleared his throat.

"So, uh, remember Sheriff Mills?"

"Yeah, what about her?" Sam asked, breathing hard from laughing at his brother.

"Well, Jody asked me to some Christmas party thing next week and invited you idjits too," he looked around at us and quickly added, "But I wasn't thinking of going, I just wanted proof that I actually asked all of you. I told Sam about it earlier, but she wanted me to mention it to everyone."

Sam gave Bobby a look that said, Do it!

"But uh, even if not all of us go, we," Sam kicked him under the table, and with his chin in his hand, gave us a tight-lipped, cheesy smile. Bobby continued, "I, I, definitely think you two should." He jabbed his fork at me and Dean.

I looked over at Dean and shrugged, lifting my eyebrows as well.

"I don't know, Trin," he grinned wiping a glass down with a towel, his sleeves rolled up. He definitely needed to learn to wear less clothes. Definitely.

I gave him puppy lips and when he looked back up at me, he threw the towel over his shoulder, his head fell back, defeatedly, and sighed, rolling his eyes. He flipped his head back downward. Then looked at me sideways. I winked and he smiled.

Sighing again, "Well, I suppose, I don't see why not."

I jumped up and ran over to him, tackling him. Luckily I was so small compared to these men that he caught me as I koala hugged him and he laughed. Feeling his chest stutter with laughter and his heartbeat in my ear, I smiled against his chest.

The other three behind me started chuckling, especially Sam, who by the face he gave Bobby, wanted us to go.

"Thank you!" I giggled in his ear. He sat me down on the floor and I looked up at him, "Plus you should get out," I winked and he shoved my arm, rolling his eyes, but with a smile on his face. I watched him leave the room and smiled to myself. No matter how much he denied it, I could tell he was excited too.

"Well, balls. Now I have to go," he glared at Sam. Sighing, he looked over to Cas standing by the window, "Cas, you're welcome to go too," Bobby said, although we all knew the answer we were about to get.

"Thank you, but I believe I'll pass. I think I'll just stay here," he gave a small smile.

…

The day of the party came and I had used some one of the frauded credit cards the boys had to go get a nice dress like Sam told me too.

I heard his voice from downstairs, "Trinity! Dean's ready! You comin'?" And then a tussle and chuckles. Dean probably shoved his brother and they laughed.

I yelled back, "Yup, be right there!" I turned around and looked at myself in the mirror. For not doing this often, I was proud of myself. And when I saw my face in the mirror and gasped. I don't think I had ever worn makeup before. And per Sam's request, I put some on.

I had originally picked up a red dress, but it reminded me too much of my wings. So I found a similar style in green. The exact green I would use to describe Dean's eyes. It was sparkly and fitted but flared out at the bottom with a small train. It had a slit up my right leg, ending right above my knee. It had one sheer sleeve on the left that came down around my middle finger. I found some cheap, shiny, black heels and I put on my black leather jacket. I didn't care it dressed me down. I only put on a little bit of black eyeliner, mascara and green eyeshadow. To top off my look, I chose a rebellious red lipstick and threw my hair up in a curly bun with a couple strands hanging down on the sides. I sighed and turned to go down the old, creaky steps.

As I turned the corner I saw Sam, his face lit up with joy for once and when he saw me, "Wow," he smiled.

"Shut up, Sam," I smirked at him.

"Sammy… how do you tie this freaking thing…?" Dean came around the other corner and stopped in his tracks when he looked up from his untied bowtie.

"Wow," I said as Dean and I took each other in. He was dressed in a long-tailed black suit, a white shirt, and black bowtie that he obviously needed help with, dress pants and shoes, and just to be Dean, bright red suspenders hidden below his suit jacket. His hair that had grown out from being spikey was combed and his scruffle was trimmed very sexy-like. His eyes widened as he looked at me, his hands still on his loose bowtie.

"You're stunning,' he muttered.

My cheeks became hot and walked over to him shoving his arm, "Give me that," I giggled and grabbed a hold of his tie. Before I started to fix it I yanked him down a planted a kiss on his lips.

After we got everything situated and Sam made a few jokes and we walked out to Baby. Bobby followed wearing a suit with a tail as well.

"Where did you guys get those?"

"I know a few people," Bobby winked at me.

"They made me feel objectified,' Dean grumbled.

"What do you mean?" I chuckled.

"They were single, desperate women," Bobby fake-whispered.

"Oh, you have cougars chasing after you, huh?" I pulled my leather jacket over.

Changing the subject, Dean saw my jacket and smiled. Sam asked, "Really?"

"I like it, so I'm wearing it," I hugged him goodbye and sat down in the Impala and Dean closed my door. He pulled his younger brother in for a hug and he walked around with Bobby and as Dean hopped in the driver's seat next to me, Bobby hopped in the back.

I rolled down the window, "Thanks for letting me borrow your seat, Sam!" I winked as Dean started her engine.

"You better appreciate it," he smirked.

Dean leaned over as he pulled out and whispered, "You're breathtaking, Trin."

I kept looking forward and simply smirked.

Dean pulled out onto the road and within half an hour we parked at a big mansion adorned with Christmas lights everywhere

We walked up the long driveway, arm in arm, Bobby on my right and Dean on my left. There wasn't a lot of snow for this time of year for once, just a couple inches, and it was surprising, yet fine with me. We got to the steps, there were about ten, and as we ascended, the woman who I presumed to be Sheriff Jody Mills, opened the big door. She was a strong looking woman, but with a feminine figure, short dark hair, and a kind face. She was in a lovely dress as well and smiled when she saw the three of us.

"Bobby! You got them to come!" She smiled brighter, seeing Dean with a plus one.

She came to meet us at the top of the staircase and she hugged Bobby, a few seconds longer than "friends" do, and turned to me and Dean.

"You guys look great! And happy!" she lightly laughed.

I held out my hand, "I'm Trinity," I offered the most social smile I could. Cas rubbed off on me too much, people skills department… kind of rusty.

She took it and shook heartily, "It's so good to finally meet you. Bobby has been talking about Dean finally finding someone, and then he went on about you when he himself finally met you."

"Jody," Bobby awkwardly chuckled.

"Sorry, this is just exciting," she grinned and walked over to Dean for a quick embrace, "Hi, Dean," then barely audible enough for me to even hear she whispered in his opposite ear, "She's lovely and I can tell you're happy with her."

They parted and he just smiled and slightly nodded. They didn't think I heard. I giggled to myself.

"What?" he grinned down at me.

"Nothing," I chuckled. And we walked inside together.

"Who's shack is this?" Bobby looked around in awe.

"A friend of mine from another department. I know, crazy, right?"

"You could say that," Dean was also in awe. I knew better than anyone besides them how much they aren't used to this lifestyle.

The lobby or foyer area was huge and domed, filled with people in festive, beautiful clothing. There was tinsel and there were wreaths, there was a grand staircase in the center leading up and splitting left and right. The walls were a soft golden color and the floor was marble as was the staircase. There were two long corridors on each side of the stairs and two huge doors on either side of us.

"Wow," I muttered.

"Well, food is in that room," she pointed right, "dancing is in there," to the left, "and cocktails are down there," she pointed to the right corridor, and down there is where most people go to mingle and be social and crap and the bathrooms if needed," she winked after gesturing to the left one, "and that's not open to guests," she waved to the steps.

"Why?" I was curious.

"I'm not sure, besides the fact that it's bedrooms and such. My opinion, this place is haunted," she gave a sly smile at the three of us, knowing what we do.

"Great," Dean tried to be frustrated, but glanced down at me without moving his neck, winking. I pulled him closer and we all decided where we were going.

"I'm gonna go get a drink. I feel like I might need it," Bobby said, "Sheriff Mills," he offered his arm.

She took it playfully saying, "Jody, you ass," she smiled and winked, then turned her head back around and yelled to us, "You two have fun!" They walked off and left me and Dean to choose.

"I don't know about you, but I'm hungry," I smiled up at my Winchester brother.

"Have you ever known me to turn down food, Trin?" he joked.

We strode into the right room and opened the doors. When we entered, it was like a movie, people, one by one, stopped what they were doing, to glance and gawk at us. We were strangers, we may look the part, but these kinds of people can usually tell when someone isn't used to this. So Dean and I took that in stride and walked hand in hand to the buffet, smiling.

As we passed people, some of their jaws hanging open, some men glaring at Dean, some woman at me. I realized, maybe they weren't judging, for once, but they were… jealous? I mean, I did have one gorgeous creature at my side. I looked up at Dean, "They're all looking at you."

"He paused, holding me back, one arm around my back, the other holding my hand in front of us, "No," he grinned shyly, closing his eyes momentarily, he looked down at me, "they're looking at you."

I was so in love with him. Even though he was a lying sack of pie. You're one to talk… shut up… shut up… you will not ruin this night for me conscience! I scoffed with a smile and looked around. I didn't believe one word he said.

"They might be looking at both of you," said an elegant sounding woman behind us. We both turned towards the center, barely escaping scraping against his chest. We were then facing a tall, bird like woman, with defined, royale features. She looked exactly like Cate Blanchett. She had shiny, red hair done in an updo and was wearing a golden ball gown with green gems throughout, with a fur shawl and blinding necklace. "Sorry, my name is Penelope," she reached out a thin, white silk-gloved hand. We shook it.

"Trinity," I smiled at her.

Dean extended his hand next, "De-"

"Oh, I know who you are, Mr. Winchester."

"Oh, Really?" he smirked.

"You could say I'm a fan of your, work," she gave a sly smile. "Anyway, welcome to my home. I'm glad that Jody invited you two, you are one lovely couple," she nodded at us, "Plus, I can tell you are a faithful man, Dean Winchester, loyal to the bone," she looked at us both with her intense grey eyes, they were almost reptilian looking, with speckles of green throughout the sea of grey. "If you need anything, I'll be around," she waved her hand in the air as she went to turn and walk away. "Enjoy yourselves!" she sashayed away, her overly long dress train following her.

"How does Jody, know her?" Dean watched her walk away.

"I have no clue," I chuckled, "You said she's just a small town cop, right?"

"Yup,"

"Oh well. Food now?" I smiled up at Dean.

"Of course, after you," his hand found its way back to the small of my back and rested as we walked to the buffet.

"What is this?" Dean held up a spoon full of small black and red, squishy pellets.

"Um, that's caviar."

"Fish eggs?"

"Yep," I smiled, "Don't eat it."

"Wasn't planning on it."

I pulled his arm that wasn't holding an empty plate down to the end of the bar.

"Now, this is more I like it," he grinned his cheesy grin picking up some fried chicken and French fries like a child in a fancy restaurant, "Heh heh heh…"

I shook my head and smiled, giggling to myself.

"What?" he laughed, elbowing me, "It's not like you're getting anything different,"

"True," I picked up the same food that he did. "Hey Dean… look your other lover," I pointed at the next buffet bar, the dessert one.

He laughed, but went over and picked up a big slice of pumpkin pie. He handed me a chocolate one.

We sat at down an empty table and put our jackets overtop the chairs. We ate and talked, laughed and bumped our elbows together. I'd occasionally lean against his shoulder while we laughed to ourselves, blocking out the rest of the party.

When we finished, Dean took my plate and I stood, folding up the napkin I put on my lap, because the other girls did, and wiped my hands. I then flattened my palms to my dress, straightening it out as Dean came back over. He put his jacket back on.

He bowed and offered his hand, "May I have this dance, my love?"

I couldn't help but giggle like a teenager and blush, "Of course," in my best Penelope voice, "Mr. Winchester."

He laughed and pulled me next to him and we travelled across the main lobby into the dance room. It was even larger than the others. Chandeliers handing, a medium stage on the far wall across from the big door, jazzy music playing. I felt like we were transported back to the twenties.

_Author's Song Note_

This is a special one, well, one of them.

At this moment, please listen to: "It Had To Be You" By Harry Connick Jr.

"This is such a good song," Dean put his hands on my hips and swayed them.

"What?!" I was in disbelief, "Dean Winchester, a fan of Harry Connick Jr.'s love song? That's a preposterous thought," I laughed.

"Hey, I'm allowed to enjoy jazz every once in a while," he grinned down at me.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, just kiss me, ya moron," We smiled right before our lips matched together.

We found ourselves towards the center of the ballroom and didn't even notice.

The band kept playing and people kept dancing, but Dean and I never danced, so we took this opportunity and kind of got into it. My right hand met his left and grasped it, and my left on his bicep, his right on the small of my back. We swayed and twirled and spun. I laughed, still thinking about Dean being the only one awake in Baby, rocking out to Connick's jazz. He just got a big grin on his face, the little crinkles on the sides of his eyes grew and he let out laughter as we danced, pretty ungracefully, not caring what people's faces looked like that as they watched these two strangers make fools of themselves. Adorable fools in my opinion.

He pulled me closer and took my hand above our heads and twirled me around, I giggled. I jerked me back to his body and dipped me. In anyone else's arms I would have thought I was going to fall, but I trusted Dean.

The music, we could tell, was coming to an end and Dean put his strong hands on my sides, lifting me and spinning us. I couldn't control my laughter. It just spilled out from being ticklish all the way to the pure enjoyment we were getting out of just being loose and having fun dancing to a classic.

As he sat me back down, he pulled my right against him and started singing in a voice lower than his normal, clearly over-exaggerated and a little out off key. I laughed more and it was contagious, the same sweet sound filling the air coming from him, so his words started jolting in the beats of his laughter. He stopped and the music came to an end, only pausing for moments until another jazzy song started. But my mind was on the man holding me.

I looked at his freckle covered face and soft lips, green eyes, and fluffy hair, the gel had apparently worn out in our frolicking.

We said nothing, just looked at each other, cracking up. People watched as they had made room for us in the center of the ballroom. He twirled me one last time, to no music and twisted me in for a big bear hug. Our hearts were beating fast and our chest still popping with giggles. I went to look up at Dean and his lips pressed against my slightly sweaty forehead.

Then a camera flashed and both of our heads turned to see a man in a butler's type suit holding an old fashioned camera. He stood and as he walked over pulled a picture from it. He stopped in front of us waving it so it would develop.

"You're one lovely couple, my friends. Here you are," he handed me the picture, "Merry Christmas," he smiled and looked as us each with a twinkle in his eye before walking away to take pictures of other people and things.

I held the photo up and smiled. He caught the exact moment that Dean's lips were just touching my forehead. Dimples showing on both of our cheeks, my arms around his waist, his one under my chin, the other, my shoulder blade. Dean grabbed my hand and gently turned it to look. As soon as he saw it, a big grin infected his features.

"This is a good one, Trin."

He kept looking at it and I watched as he just looked it over and over, taking in every black and white pixel. I slowly reached my hand up and felt the soft baby hairs on the back of his neck. He look at me sweetly, tearing his eyes from the photograph. I pulled him down softly and he let it happen. Our lips merged and oxytocin was released, as pure joy filled me. His lips spread a little as we finished our kiss. We parted lips and he pressed his forehead to mine. We both adopted blissful smiles and quietly laughed.

But then an applause began to flow through the room, starting slow and few, then travelling faster and faster through the mass of bodies dressed in gowns and suits. We both looked up and around and couldn't help but smile. People were looking straight at us, cheering.

Holding a smile, so they didn't know I was speaking, "These people need to get lives."

Dean laughed and shook his head, taking my hand he pulled me behind him, running through the crowd of clapping hands all the way to the doors. He yanked the heavy thing open and we stumbled out dying of laughter.

"Hold up, I need to catch my breath," I got out between body-racking laughs.

Dean just kept going. He almost controlled himself, until he looked over at me, leaning down on my thighs. And more laughter burst out.

"Shut up, Dean!" I giggled still out of breath.

He came over to me and bent down, cupping my face. Still laughing, but softly, regaining his suave composure, "I love you so much."

He kissed me once again and we stood up straight, our laughter dispersing. His one hand stayed, thumb gently caressing my jawbone, the other fiddling with my loose curls.

"I love you more," I smiled up at his eyes, the color of freshly cut grass, shining in the candle and chandelier light.

He unexpectedly pulled away and with a mischievous smile, shoved my shoulder, "Cheese head," he chuckled.

"What? I can't say that without sounding like a starstruck high schooler?" I giggled.

He halfway turned his head to partially face me. Giving me a wink, he smiled, "I think I'm gonna go find Bobby real quick, see how he's doing," he replied.

"Sounds good," I huffed with a smile, "I'm gonna go pee, I'll meet you," I leaned up and pecked his stubbly cheek. He held my hand as long as he could as I turned to walk away. I felt his eyes on my back, so I purposefully sashayed a little sassier. People looked at me in surprise, my guess was that I just said the word "pee". I felt like that's not something proper girls say out loud very often. I looked at one woman and shrugged, "What?!" and kept walking. I then heard a soft cackle behind me, turning around so I was stepping backwards, I saw Dean trying to cover his mouth that was brought up at the corners and his shoulders were shaking. I smiled at this sight and flipped back so I was walking normal.

The bathroom was no less as big and fancy as the rest of the house, about the size of my old downstairs. I washed my hands in the porcelain and gold sink, humming a random tune that had no rhyme or reason.

Penelope entered as I dried my hands.

"Are you having a good time, Trinity, dear?"

I smiled, "Yeah, I am. Thanks."

"That Dean of yours is a lovely one."

"I know. That's why I let him tag along," I smirked and chuckled.

She laughed a posh way, "Oh, I'm sure that's the reason. I just wanted to ask you something."

"Yeah?"

"Do you see the way he looks at you when you're not looking?"

That took me by surprise, "That's kind of a confusing question," I smiled.

"Oh, you know what I mean," she giggled, "Do you know that he looks at you differently when you're not looking, is what I should have said."

"No, I, I didn't realize he did. Why, did you?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Oh yes. Very much. I don't mean to be rude, but I couldn't keep my eyes off of him. And you, my dear, and you. He looks at you like he never wants to leave your side."

"I never want to leave his, so he'd better," I joked.

"I'm serious, my dear. I have a knack for telling when people are being faithful and loyal," something in her eyes, flashed, too quickly to tell, but it looked like her pupils turned slim and reptilian, I waved it off, blinking, as she continued, "And that boy out there, is one of the most loyal I've ever seen. Not only to you, I can tell. His brother Sam, correct?"

"How'd you-"

"I already told you, I've known about the Winchesters since John first started their little family business."

"Oh."

"Can you do the same for him?"

"Of course. He knows that."

She squinted at me, her smile faltering for a moment, "Are you sure?"

"Positive. He doesn't doubt it."

"I was referring to you, my dear. There's something, different, about you. I only hope, for your sake, you can be as loyal to Dean Winchester as he is to you."

My face hardened with confidence, this creepy, rich lady, wasn't going to tell me how loyal I am. I knew about how different I was, how bad things could go. But there was one thing that kept me going, the faith I had in the Winchesters, and that of which they had for me. "Then my sake is safe. I'm never going to hurt them. I would stop myself before that happened."

She regained a smile, but behind it was still question and doubt, then she turned to leave me, "You should know though, he's willing to do anything for you, and in this life, that means anything, my dear. Just know that."

As the large door slowly swung shut behind her I replied to no one, "I know. I know that too well."

After I left the bathroom, I heard the band in the distant room warming up and tuning. I milled around looking for the tall man I called my own. But without any success. I searched in the food room, the men's bathroom area, the main hall, and nothing. So I went to go find Bobby and Jody, hoping he was with them or they knew where he was.

I spotted Bobby's partially bald head across the cocktail room and squeezed my way through the mass.

"Bobby!" I called out. A few people looked, but turned away dismissively.

He looked around and saw me. I smiled.

"What's wrong?" he ask me. Apparently he's used to this being wrong.

"Oh, nothing," I chuckled, "I just can't seem to find Dean in this hella huge house," I laughed.

He smiled and said, "Haven't seen him, hun."

"Huh, he said he was gonna go looking for you," I felt my face squish up in confusion.

Jody popped in, "Everything okay?" she smiled at us.

"Trinity doesn't know where the idjit she came with went."

"Huh," it seemed like she knew something, by the almost smile on her face.

I dismissed it, "Well, I'm gonna go look around some more, if you see him, tell him to come find me, okay?" I started backing up.

"Will do," he nodded as I saw Jody's hand grasp his subtly.

I pushed through more people, trying to peek over heads, and then I saw the only other face I knew here, although she gave me a little bit of the creeps, she knew who I was looking for.

"Penelope!" I smiled and she heard and saw me.

We met in front of the grand staircase.

"Have you by chance seen Dean?"

She had the same smile I left her with, but the look in her eyes, was a little more, hunger, "Well, I did think I saw a handsome young man in a tailed suit going up there," she pointed up the steps with a long, bony finger.

"I thought that was off limits."

"It is, dear. But he might have just been looking for you," her eyes narrowed just the slightest. "I can show you up there, help you, find him."

"I-" I was about to accept, but then I heard a distant music in a voice that sounded so familiar. Mid-sentence, I left Penelope, who had a frustrated look about her, and wandered off, in a daze.

I ventured back to the ballroom doors and people were blocking my view of the stage. My heart raced as I heard a voice warming up with the band. A guitar began to strum and the voice hummed, finding the right note. I squeezed my shoulders, shoved, slipped, and pushed past all of these people as politely as I could, making my through the coagulated bunch. I was almost to the front, to be right before the stage as the voice began to sing. My heart cracked and melted, as my skin tingled and a shocked expression took over my face, sight blurring with happy tears as I saw the singer.