AN: And another update for the new year! Please let me know your thoughts, thank you!
They arrived back at the motel room within minutes. Sam and Dean sent Percy inside to shower and get dressed while they sat out front. "I could really go for a beer," Dean sighed. "I don't know what I'm doing here Sam," he commented with concern to his voice. "Are kids really this disrespectful nowadays?"
"I think she may be an exception," Sam replied. "She's been through a lot Dean and she's had to learn to survive pretty much on her own these last few years."
"I know, and I'm trying to be understanding," Dean sighed, "But honestly, if we can't trust her and we keep butting heads like we are, how are we ever going to make this work?" Dean was understandably worried. Their lifestyle was dangerous, and Percy would be spending a lot of time unsupervised. They had to be able to trust her.
"I hear ya Dean, but I really think there's a good kid in there somewhere," Sam replied with some optimism. "She needs rules and boundaries…..and she needs to feel safe and wanted. She hasn't had any of that for a while now."
"Yeah," Dean agreed, not so optimistic. "Dad was always so strict with us, and I've always resented him for that, but now I get it." He sighed again. "I hate to say it, but I really think needs a good ass whooping."
"You could be right about that…..I thought for sure she had pushed you far enough today," Sam replied.
Together they came up with some rules and expectations for Percy and headed into the motel room to discuss them with her. They found Percy flipping through the channels on the TV. Her hair was still wet, and she was wearing a black Metallica t-shirt. "Hey kid," Dean interrupted as he and Sam took a seat on the empty chairs by the couch. "Turn the tv off, we need to talk."
"Blah…blah…blah….here we go…..talk….talk…talk," she sighed as she clicked the tv off. Dean looked at Sam and shook his head. Her attitude downright disgusted him, and he lost it.
"Enough with the attitude!" Dean's voice boomed. "Right now, you're going to keep your mouth shut and you're going to listen to what we have to say. Understand?" Percy glared back at him, somewhat intimidated by his sternness, but she would never show him that. "Do…you…. understand?" he demanded.
"I understand, ugh, but you told me to keep my mouth shut," she shot back. Dean sighed and looked at Sam who nodded his head and took over the conversation.
"Percy, we don't want to argue with you, nor should we have to. What we say, goes. You're going to be given three warnings a day for your attitude and disrespect, and if you go over 3, then there will be a punishment. The punishment could be writing lines, no TV, no dessert, or even a spanking, …basically whatever we see fit," Sam explained. She was about to respond, but he shut her down with a look. "It's still our turn," he said firmly.
"If you run away, disobey, steal, hit, or deliberately put yourself or others in danger there will be an immediate ass whooping wherever we are, no warnings," Dean added. "We're NOT playing games anymore. You've been running your own show for too long and you need to learn that you need to follow rules and if you don't, there are consequences to your actions. As your dad, it's my responsibility to teach you that because if I don't, you may find yourself in a jail cell someday." Percy's eyes widened with worry. "You are to respect both Sam and me, as well as others that we come into contact with."
"We want to make this work Percy, but we need you to meet us halfway," Sam commented.
"We aren't perfect either, and we make mistakes, but I promise you that you are safe with us, and we won't abandon you," Dean added gently. "You're family and family sticks together…no matter what. We can make this work kid; I know we can." Percy sat quietly and processed everything. "We said what we needed to say…..did you want to respond?" Dean questioned.
"I think you guys are expecting too much from me," she replied, her voice cracking. "And I don't think I'm on board with this." She fought back every emotion she was feeling including tears that threatened to escape from her eyes.
"Sorry kid, but you don't have a choice in this," Dean replied firmly. "We are in charge, not you. We'll always hear you out and listen to what you have to say."
"Well, I guess the bosses have spoken then," she sassed back.