Nobody heeded the dresscode, but it doesn't matter. Unique and Dean share a moment of awkwardness. Cas, Ianto and Gwen hang out, and Cas is put on the spot. John decides to change the tune and play live. It gets a little emotional for Gwen. A couple of guests leave early. Castiel has to lie to his father, and it seems to go well. At the midnight hour they share some champagne. Some of them share more than that, while others are a little more shy.

Songs in this chapter

Blue Hawaii - Elvis Presley - M/L: Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger

Take me to Church - Hozier - M/L: Andrew Hozier-Byrne

Rocket Man - Elton John - M/L: Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Auld lang syne - L: Robert Burns, M: Trad

It's on

Sam and John were the only ones at the party dressed for the Hawaiian theme. Everybody else had gone for more traditional New Year's eve outfits, and Dean felt that he stood out like a traffic light in his red t-shirt. He had buffed up a bit since he got it, so it was also a little too tight over the chest.

Some people liked to strut their stuff, and he'd seen guys on the football team in their form fitting shirts. Dean was not one of those, and he worried that the rest of his friends would think that he wanted attention. He almost regretted not taking that ghastly shirt Sam had dug out for him. Even if that was far from his style as well, he could at least have made a few jokes about it.

Jack, Ianto, and Castiel had suited up; Mason and Kevin looked a little more casual in their black jeans, but they both wore dark button down shirts and ties. Kevin had also added a black leather vest to his outfit.

All the girls except for Unique were dressed in black. Charlie wore a pantsuit with a sparkling silver top underneath. Jo and Madison had almost similar little black dresses which caused some friendly arguments between them. Jane had a tight fitting strapless top, and what Dean for a long time believed was a long flowing skirt. After a while he discovered that it was really pants.

Unique had a quite simple pink dress, but wore a golden sequined jacket over it to add a little sparkle, as she put it herself. Gwen looked good as usual in her tight shiny pants, and the shirt with the silvery skull on the back was also very much her style. She had started the evening in four inch heels, but it didn't take long before she kicked them off.

Garth was the only one from Glee-club that didn't show up, but he had sent greetings explaining that he was stuck with his family up in Montana. Two other guests on the list didn't come either, but John had a perfectly good explanation for that. "I just added them for fun. I met them in Hawaii, and I knew they wouldn't be able to make it. I only want to hang out with you guys. Who else do we need?"

Dean had pushed one of the recliners a little further into the corner of the living room, and sat there with his beer panning the rest of the crowd.

"Night and you

And blue Hawaii

The night is heavenly

And you are heaven to me"

John was obviously still trying to stick with the Hawaiian theme, but this was too boring. Dean liked a few of Elvis Presley's songs, but this was not one of them.

"Dreams come true

In blue Hawaii.

and mine could all come true

This magic night of nights with you."

"Hey guys! I totally forgot." John came running into the living room handing out fake leis. "You were going to get it at the door, I'm a terrible host." That was so far from the truth as it could be. John's hosting skills were absolutely more than acceptable.

He balled one of them up before he waved at Dean and threw it to him. "You too. Trying to hide are you?" John obviously didn't expect an answer because he hurried to move along to give out the rest of those Hawaiian necklaces.

"Can I have that one?" Unique was suddenly standing in front of him. "I mean, you got the only pink one, and it will go way better with my dress than this one." She was holding a lei made up of red and blue flowers. "I mean… this one will suit you better."

Dean couldn't even imagine that one of those would suit him at all, but he definitely didn't care it it was pink or blue or rainbow colored for that matter. "Sure." Unique slipped hers around his neck before she grabbed his. "Thanks." She put it on. "Why are you sitting here all by yourself? Are you brewing on something? You're not going to attack anyone are you?" She smiled and gave him a quick wink.

It was a little annoying that she brought up what happened at Gwen's party, but Dean decided to make a joke about it. "Sure. I just haven't decided on who yet." He emptied his beer and was about to get up to fetch another one, but Unique blocked the way. "Let me just go and warn Ianto and Gwen will you?"

Dean had no reason to attack any of them, and he didn't understand the joke until he followed Uniques line of view. Gwen stood behind the little bar in the other corner, while Ianto and Castiel were standing in front of it facing her. It could look like the three of them were in a heated argument the way they gestured with their hands, but the smile on Gwen's face told Dean otherwise.

"He is cute, isn't he?" Unique cocked her head and gave Dean a nudge on the shoulder. Cas had turned a little so they could see his face. He was rolling his eyes at Ianto as he said something that made the Welshies laugh. It could look like he was on the phone, but Dean wasn't quite sure.

Just that moment, Dean felt an overwhelming urge to punch Unique. He knew exactly what she was thinking, and he didn't like it. That she was accurate in her perception didn't matter. "Oh, shut up. You know why I punched John. It had nothing to do with, er, with… him." He nodded towards Cas.

"Yeah, they said so, but I don't believe that tall tale for a second." She sighed. "Cas is sticking to it though, but I know he's lying. I know him well enough." Unique grabbed Dean's arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. "It's okay, hun. He likes you too."

Dean tried to get out of the grip, but Unique held on for a little bit longer. "Could you get me a drink, sweetie. Gwen is a pretty good little bartender." She let go and looked at the trio at the bar before she turned back to him. Dean shook his head. "Sorry, sweetie." He said it a little mockingly. "You will have to do it yourself." He should probably have begged her to keep her knowledge to herself, but that meant that he had to admit that she was correct in her perception. "I agree with you. Cas is a nice and sweet guy, but you're delusional."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"I'm not going anywhere." Castiel looked at Gwen as he shook his head. "Tomorrow is a new day, and I'll deal with it then." Gwen threw her hands out. "I didn't mean that. I don't want you to leave, but shouldn't you at least call?"

Ianto nodded in agreement. "They are going to worry, and if they don't hear anything…" He huffed. "What if they call the police?" He shifted his gaze between Cas and Gwen. "It won't take them long to find out who we are and where we are at. It could blow up the whole party."

Castiel slumped his head down. "Maybe you're right, but even if I call, what would prevent my dad from calling the police anyway?" He reached out for his drink, but Gwen pulled it away. "You should call, and you should sound sober when you do." She smiled and gave him the drink back. "Sorry, it's really none of my business, but I was the one who lied through my teeth."

Gwen had come up with some dangerous concoctions. One could barely taste the alcohol in the drinks, and Cas knew that he had to be careful. "Regardless, they're all in church now, so…" He took a small sip. "Now! At his hour." Gwen picked up her phone and looked at it. "It's almost eleven." She stared at him.

"Well, yeah. Maybe it's over now, but… The New Year's worship started at nine thirty, so they're probably on their way home now." He sighed and dug into his pocket. "But even if he wants to call the police, he'll definitely call me first."

He put the phone to his ear pretending to answer a call. "Oh, Hi dad. I'm at John's. We're having a few drinks. I'm hanging here with the Welshies." He smiled and looked at Gwen. "Yeah, Gwen is really sweet, I think I'm going to marry her, I just have to get her drunk first."

Both Ianto and Gwen laughed out loud. Cas kept going. "Ianto is also very nice, and very handsome. Maybe I'll marry him instead." He pretended to listen to someone at the other end. "Oh yeah, he's a boy, I know. Why would that be a problem. Oh, you don't want to perform the service. That sucks. Guess we have to elope then. Bye, see you in another life."

Gwen stared at him with a big smile on her face. "Wow. I didn't know you had it in you. You're full of surprises aren't you?" She turned when Unique came up to the bar. "What's so funny?" She looked at the three of them. "Can you mix me one of those?" She pointed to Gwen's Margarita.

The girl nodded. "Sure." She picked a glass and got started. "You know. Cas and Ianto are going to elope." Gwen chuckled a little. "Unless I take him first."

Unique turned slowly to look at Ianto. "Oh, poor boy. Don't tell Dean. He'll beat you to a pulp." Castiel almost choked on his drink. He knew perfectly well what she was referring to, and he did not like it. They all threw a peek over to the corner where Dean had been sitting moments ago, but he wasn't there anymore. "He's getting a beer." Unique turned back to them and cocked her head. "Eloping, uh?"

Gwen smiled and looked at Cas. "Guess we have to keep it a secret then. Unless… Maybe you should take Dean instead. I don't think Ianto is that into you, and he's no fighter."

"What?" Ianto tried to look offended, but he didn't quite manage to cover up the humor on his face. "Oh, baby, Don't listen to her." He scooted over and wrapped an arm over Castiel's shoulder. "I'd fight for you."

"My lover's got humour

She's the giggle at a funeral

Knows everybody's disapproval…"

John had turned off the music and was singing as he hit the chords on the piano. He wasn't a great piano player, but it worked. After a few boring songs about beaches and love in the sand, this was nice.

"Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog

At the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins

So you can sharpen your knife..."

It wasn't exactly the most upbeat song in the universe, but it was good. Gwen sang along on the chorus, and noticed that Charlie and Jack joined in as well.

"If I'm a pagan of the good times

My lover's the sunlight

To keep the goddess on my side

She demands a sacrifice…"

Gwen remembered that the first time she saw the music video to this song, she was in tears. Knowing that John was mostly into boys, listening to him sing it became quite emotional for her and she had to wipe her eyes. On the last chorus, everybody in the room sang along. She could even see that Sam's lips moved, and he had told her that his singing voice wasn't worth a damn.

"Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog

At the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins

So you can sharpen your knife

Offer me that deathless death

Oh, good God, let me give you my life."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

The midnight hour

John was happy. The party seemed to be a big success even if all of them had disregarded the theme. All except Sam. It didn't matter. A luau in the middle of winter was just silly anyway. Come summer, he'd arrange a real luau around the pool in the back garden. The little stint at the piano had gone well, but he decide to leave the playing to someone who could do a better job of it.

The few trays of food that he'd placed randomly around the room were almost empty, so he went to get some more. He'd asked the caterer for finger foods only, and he'd also told them to not add anything that needed reheating. He didn't want to have to deal with plates and cutlery. It was easier if they goud just grab and chew.

Most of his friends were probably used to bowls of chips and nuts at a party like this, but the finger sandwiches and those little petit fours seemed to be a hit.

He knew he was flaunting it a bit with the food and his expensive wines and aged whiskey, but it couldn't be helped. They should know that he didn't do it to make them feel inferior. He'd always treated everybody as equals, and for a good part of the semester they didn't even know that he was loaded.

"I'm a rocket man

rocket man

burnin' out this fuse

up here alone."

Kevin and Charlie were struggling to fit together on piano stool as they sang. John knew that both of them were pretty decent piano players, even if it wasn't their main instrument.

"Mars ain't the kind of place

To raise your kids

In fact, it's cold as hell

And there's no one there to raise them

If you did…"

He put a fresh tray of food on the coffee table and was on his way back to the kitchen to fetch some more when Mason and Madison came up to him. "We have to leave. We're so sorry, and we would have loved to stay, but our dad is picking us up shortly."

John stared at them. "But, but, fireworks. We have… But why?" It was less than an hour until the New year came around, and he could see no reason for them to leave now. "You can't. We're having fun, and this is just the beginning."

The twins shook their heads. "We would love to, but we weren't allowed to stay any longer." Madison sighed before she walked over and gave him a hug. "This is awesome. Your house is awesome, but we really have to go."

Unique and Jane came over, and it was obvious that they knew beforehand. "You could just lie though." Unique nodded towards Jo. "She told her parents that she'd spend New Year's Eve with Gwen and her family."

Mason smiled at her. "Yeah, well, we could have, but it's not, er, what we do." He cocked his head. "And what did you say to your parents?" Unique wrapped her arm around John's waist and batted her lashes. "I told them that I was going to spend the night with my lover." She kissed him on the cheek before she let go. "No seriously. I just told them that I was invited to Castiel's house, and they believed me. Go figure."

The twins huffed in unison, and Madison shook her head. "Lying is not something we like to do, and anyway, it's too late now. Maybe next time you can tell me how it's done?" The two of them gave John a quick hug. "Awesome party. Do it again please."

They were gone and it was kind of sad, but John decided to not let it get to him. There were still eleven other guests to attend to.

When Kevin asked for contributions for the Winchesters just before John left for Hawaii, he had given him two hundred dollars urging the guy to keep it quiet. He knew that a few of the others had put in a more than a buck, but he didn't want anyone to know that he was the main 'shareholder'. He didn't know Sam very well, but it didn't matter. He knew Dean, and even if the guy had attacked him, he kind of liked him, and didn't want them to have to live in their car.

He'd actually thought about asking his mom if they could come and live in the guesthouse, but he felt it would be too intrusive on them. Regardless, if push came to shove, and the Winchesters got thrown out of their apartment, he would definitely bring that up.

Gwen, Castiel, and Ianto seemed to have a good time by the bar. Unique joined them for a brief moment and it looked like they were all having fun. Kevin and Charlie had changed the tune, and were playing a soft waltz. Jack pulled Jane out of her seat and the two of them danced together to the music.

Jo had been fluttering around, but she was now seated on the armrest next to Sam. It looked like she was trying to have a serious conversation with him, but she was obviously very drunk. That girl would be a cheap date. John was pretty sure that she hadn't been drinking much. He remembered that she was the first one to cave in at Gwen's party, and he just hoped that she'd last till midnight.

He realized that he was missing one and wondered where Dean could be. He was a little bit like a loose cannon, and John worried that he was hiding away brewing on something,

"Hey. What's up? Great party. Great food. Everything is great." Dean came out from the kitchen with a beer in his hand. "I wonder…" He threw quick peeks from side to side. "I could never pay you back for this, but maybe…" The guy dug his hand into his pocket. "I have this." John looked at the little bag partially hidden in Dean's palm, and nodded. "Sure, later."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

The actual phone conversation between Cas and his dad did not go the way he had 'rehearsed' it. When his phone rang a few minutes after eleven thirty, he ran to the dining room and closed the door behind him. Gwen was too curious, and slipped in there after him.

"Yeah, well, uh. We kind of got stuck. I don't know when I will get back." He walked over to the double doors in the dining room and closed them as well. He obviously didn't want his dad to hear the music and chatter in the background. "NO you don't need to come get me. We're fine. But there was an accident and the road is closed."

Gwen got a little startled when Dean came out of the walk-in cooler with a beer in his hand. "Oh, sorry. What's going on?" He looked at her, as Gwen briefly acknowledged that John had a whole room for that as well before she put a finger to her lips.

"We are fine, and we are being taken care of. No we had nothing to do with it. It was about a half hour ago. I was gonna call, but we didn't know if it was worth it to find another way home."

The little sigh from when Dean twisted open his beer made Castiel flip around. He had obviously not noticed that he was in there. "Yes dad. Sure. I'll call as soon as we know. Worst case scenario the staff told us we can stay till tomorrow, although they don't have any beds for us."

The conversation ended shortly after. Cas pulled out one of the bar stools and sat down. "I'm so screwed." He rested his elbows on the counter and folded his hand under his chin. Gwen ran over and patted his back. "I'm sorry. Are you okay?" She really worried when she looked at his sad face and she actually wondered if he was going to cry.

He sighed heavily before he straightened himself up a bit. "You know. I was going to study English and foreign languages, and maybe eventually become a teacher." He threw her a sideways glance as he rubbed his eye. Gwen stared at him dumbfounded. "What does that have to do with anything?" She looked a Dean, and he seemed equally puzzled.

Castiel stood up and gave her a crooked smile. "I think maybe I should go into acting instead." With a chuckle he threw his arms around her and lifted her off the ground. "Man I'm good. I even fooled you, and you're quite the actor yourself."

"Ehrm." Dean cleared his throat as he came over. "What is this all about? What happened? What accident were you referring to?"

Gwen couldn't stop smiling. Castiel was just awesome. She turned and walked over to Dean. "This guy is really something." She leaned her head on Dean's shoulder and looked up at him. "He's quite adorable too. Look at those seemingly innocent blue eyes. Don't let them fool you." She pulled away and headed for the door. "He can explain, I'm going back to the others."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

They were standing on the roof above John's room. There was a low white balustrade on three sides and on the fourth side they had the wall to the loft. The roof of the hall was a couple of feet higher and the edge could have been used to sit on if it wasn't for the thin layer of snow that covered it.

The weather had changed since the party started, and they could see the dark starry sky. There was a few clouds in the distance, but they would have a perfect view of the fireworks.

About fifteen minutes before midnight, John had gathered his guests. He told them to put on shoes and jackets because they were going to go outside. Everybody had thought that they would go out on the street or into the back yard, but he'd led them upstairs. In the corner next to one of the guestrooms he opened a door revealing a dark narrow staircase leading up to a loft.

The room up there looked like it belonged in a different house. The old couch and the somewhat dusty coffee table didn't quite fit the rest of the interior. A few pieces of workout equipment were lined up at the far end of the room next to a stack of cardboard boxes. Two guitars and a tambourin were hanging on the wall above the couch, and a small keyboard was leaning against the armrest of it. Next to the door that led out to the roof, there was a small entertainment center with a TV and Stereo system. It looked rather dusty as well.

John must have noticed that his friends got a little surprised by the shabby condition in the room, but he didn't seem to care. He just walked straight to the door and opened it. "Come on." He gestured for them to go outside before he took off.

With only minutes left before the new year came around, they all wondered what he was doing, but then he emerged carrying four bottles of champagne. "I need to get glasses, can someone help me?" Jo volunteered immediately, but John shook his head. "No, not you. Sorry girl, I saw how you stumbled up the stairs. I need someone that is a little more steady on their feet. Before anyone else got a chance to react, Sam just walked towards the door. "Come on then. We only have a few minutes."

Some people had started a little early, and scattered around against the black sky they could already see the colorful flashes of fireworks.

Seconds later, John and Sam were back. They handed out the glasses before John started to pop open the champagne. The bells at the nearby church started to toll in the new year as they all lifted their glasses and watched the sky light up from hundreds of New year's rockets. After the quick toast it could almost look like a scuffle the way everybody tried to hug each other simultaneously.

Jo clung to Sam for dear life, and didn't let go even when a few of the others came to give him a hug. John pulled in Jack and the two of them made out thoroughly before he turned to Gwen and gave her the same treatment. She got clearly taken by surprise, but reciprocated willingly.

A few kisses were shared among some of the others as well, but it was mostly just friendly pecks on the cheeks. Kevin backed away a little when John came up to him. "No way, I'm not making out with you." John just chuckled and shook his head. "That's too bad, I was going for a record." The two of them hugged it out before John moved to his next target.

"Never been kissed, uh?" He put his hands on Castiel's cheeks. "Happy New Year Choirboy." He leaned in and let their lips touch. Cas got a little startled. He didn't pull away, but he didn't really partake in the kiss so much either.

John felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned to see Dean standing behind him sporting a crooked smile. "You lead a dangerous life, John Hart." He said it quietly, and nobody else could possibly have heard him over the noise from the fireworks. There was no sign to suggest that Dean was angry, but John backed away from Cas and lifted his hands in front of him defensively. "Sorry mate. It's New Years after all, and I…" He didn't get to finish before Dean embraced him. "I'm just kidding." Dean whispered into his ear before he pulled back a little. Then he leaned in for a kiss. "No tongue, please."

It was a quick touch of their lips, and then Dean practically pushed him away. John walked backwards away from Cas and Dean, and could see that the two of them just stood there and stared at each other. He wanted to see what happened but got a little sidetracked when he crashed into someone behind him.

"IANTO! Happy New Year." John held his breath for a few seconds as he stared at his friend. He wanted dive into it, but for some reason he hesitated. Before he came to his senses again, Jack was at their side. He grabbed Ianto and gave him a kiss on each cheek before he pulled him in and nuzzled his face into the crook of the guy's neck. John threw a quick peek over his shoulder to check on Cas and Dean. They were still in the same position, and it could look like they were talking.

When he turned back, Jack had not yet let go of Ianto, and John felt a touch of jealousy. He soon realized that it was directed to both of them. He knew that Jack had guessed that he had a crush on Ianto, and he got a little annoyed with him the way he rubbed himself on the guy. On the other hand, Jack was hot as hell and John had walked around with a semi half the evening thinking about what would happen when they were alone again.

After the little thing between them earlier, the two of them had agreed that Jack would spend the night, and even if they didn't talk about the outcome of that, they both kind of knew. He had always let his friends believe that he had experience, but John had never really had sex with a guy, and if everything went according to plan, that could change shortly.

John was about to walk away when Jack let go of Ianto and pulled him over. "Hey, I thought you were going to make out with everybody here. Ianto is waiting." Ianto didn't look half as convinced as Jack, but then he just shrugged. "Why not. It's New year's eve after all."

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and never brought to mind

Should all acquaintance be forgot

and auld lang syne…"

When Kevin suddenly started to sing it didn't take more than seconds for everybody to join him.

"For auld lang syne, my dear

For auld lang syne

We'll take a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne."