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strangevisitor7Title: The World As We Know It (3/7)
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
strangevisitor7
Beta:pen37
Rated: PG
spoilers: For the movie Serenity: The plot goes AU from the end of the movie
Prompt: #13 Yellow for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
crossovers100 my table is here
Fandom: Firefly, Highlander, SPN & SV. The rest of the Immortal!Dean Universe can be found here.
Characters: From FF: Mal, Zoe, Wash, River, Jayne, Simon, Inara, Kaylee. From I!D 'Verse: Dean Winchester, Duncan MacLeod, Richie Ryan, Chloe Sullivan and Sam Winchester.
Disclaimer: The characters you know and love all belong to their respective creators.
Summary: The story begins at the moment that Since I found Serenity ends. Sam and Dean have been reunited aboard Serenity. Somehow Sam has been reincarnated 500 years in the future. Now the Immortal hunters and the firefly crew have to figure out what really happened on Miranda and who created the Reavers
Chapter Summary: Sam and Dean finally find some alone time to catch up.
A/N: Just want to thankpen37 for this version of Chloe who's other adventures in this universe are chronicled in Chloe and the Immortals.
Chapter List:
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5: Chapter 6; Chapter 7
Chapter 3
“Are you Kuang zhe de? You want to capture a Reaver?” Simon gasped. “Those things are dangerous.”
“You got a better idea how we’re gonna find out what they really are?” Dean asked. “What’s it matter to you anyway? I already told you. We’re not bringing civilians along on this hunt.”
At Dean’s declaration the room erupted again into a flurry of over lapping voices shouting various versions of “We’re coming” and “No you’re not”
Chloe stood at the head of the maelstrom and sighed. As much as Dean and the others didn't want to admit it, she could see that they were going to need the crew of Serenity in the coming days. It looked like she was going to have to be the one to make them all see reason.
It seemed that she was always the one thrown into the role as mediator. She’d spent years on New Krypton with Methos getting her big dumb alien cousins to change their fanatical religious ways, so getting her family to accept the help of battle tested ‘civilians’ should be a cake walk. In addition to her amazing healing abilities, Chloe had to admit, she had mad powers of persuasion. She turned her attention back to the group arguing in front to her.
“You’re gonna need us.” Mal insisted.
“He’s right.” Chloe yelled. When she was ignored she tried again. Ni men dou bi zui!. She shouted them all into silence and repeated. “Mal’s right”
“Chloe, you can’t seriously want to bring untrained hunters along on this.” Dean stood to face her.
“I was an untrained hunter once who saved your life many years ago.” She reminded him choosing her words carefully because the incident she referred to happened 500 years prior. Eventually they might let the crew of Serenity in on her version of immortality but for now there was no reason to expose it in the midst of everything else that was going on.
“That was different.” Dean insisted.
“I don’t see how. You almost lost your head, if I recall.” Chloe said as she faced Dean; arms crossed and a determined look on her face.
“She has a point.” Duncan admitted.
Chloe did not allow her pleasure to show at Duncan’s admission. Richie had already nodded that he was with her. Two down and one stubborn-assed fool to go.
“Mac, that was a unique situation and you know it.” Dean turned to glare at his mentor
Duncan shook his head and slouched in his chair saying, “I’m not getting between you and the wildcat.”
Dean looked to the rest of his family for support.
Richie was grinning at him. “Dude, give it up. When have you ever won an argument with Chloe?”
Sam perked up at this. “My brother’s whipped. Now it all makes sense,” he laughed.
“Shut up Sam.” Dean growled. “I am not whipped and I win plenty of arguments.”
“I’m talking outside the bedroom.” Richie quipped and noticed when Chloe dropped her head and let her hair hide her face. She was notorious for caving after Dean “talked” to her alone in the bedroom. Luckily, the elder Winchester was still staring at his brothers and hadn’t noticed her reaction.
“Dude, where's the brotherly solidarity?” Dean asked. When Richie just rolled his eyes, Dean’s shoulders sagged. “Zao gao Fine they can come along.”
“See, now that wasn’t so hard.” Chloe looked up and smiled her blindingly bright smile.
Dean glared at her before returning to slump in his seat. He could feel Sam and Richie snickering on either side of him but he wasn’t in the mood to challenge them.
“Seems our men folk can get along, after all.” Zoe said.
Chloe laughed. “What would they do without us?” the tiny blonde agreed. She looked out at the people gathered. They were finally one crew instead of two. They had a lot of planning to do.
***************************************************
“Mal, before we get into the details of the mission, I think we should break for dinner.” Inara suggested.
“That’s the best plan I’ve heard all day.” Jayne agreed. “I’m starving.”
Murmurs of agreement permeated the galley.
“Sounds like a good idea to me.” Mal said. “We’re got some plannin' to do if we hope to capture a Reaver alive. Best to do that on a full belly.”
The captain nodded at the Companion who gestured to Kaylee and Simon to help her get a meal together.
As the gathering began to break up, Sam grabbed Dean’s arm and indicated it was a good time for them to make a quiet retreat. As much as he wanted to talk to Sam alone, Dean seemed reluctant to leave with everything that was happening.
Chloe saw the exchange and walked over to the brothers. “Go” She whispered. “I can fill you both in later if anything exciting happens. And don’t worry, I’ll save you a plate. Wouldn’t want you to go hungry.”
Sam smiled. “He still a bear if he doesn’t get three meals a day?”
“Feeding Dean is always a top priority. Trust me.” She grinned and handed Dean an apple she’d snagged from the fruit bowl on the counter.
“I guess some things never change.” Dean said. He took the proffered fruit and then wrapped her in his embrace giving her a quick chaste kiss. “We won’t be long.”
With that the brothers disappeared down the passageway. Chloe sighed, straightened her shoulders and went to help with dinner.
*****************************************
The brothers sat on the floor facing each other on opposite sides of the small storage space. Just a few hours before, Sam had been sitting here with River thinking about how much he missed Dean. Then Wash had come to get him and his whole life had changed for the second time in a year. Dean was alive and sitting across from him grinning like an idiot.
Dean kicked out one booted foot to nudge Sam. “So,” he said expectantly.
“Yeah,” Sam replied and then snickered. “Five hundred years old. Really, you don’t look a day over twenty-nine.”
“531,” Dean corrected him. “And it’s better than looking nineteen forever like Richie. Sucks for him sometimes.”
“I bet.” Sam said and trailed into comfortable silence again.
Dean really didn’t care if they talked about anything at all. Having Sam in the same room again was more than he’d hoped for in centuries of existence.
He hadn’t felt truly lonely in a long time, not with his Immortal family close by but that didn’t mean he still didn’t have moments he wished he could have shared with Sam. Early on there had been long stretches of depression but Richie and Duncan had always been around. And of course there was Chloe. She made him feel safe and alive.
He missed his brother but he hadn’t realized how much he still ached for Sam until he’d seen him standing in Serenity’s cargo bay.
“Chloe?” Sam asked jarring Dean out his musings.
Dean eyed his brother. “Richie’s wrong, you know. I am not whipped!”
“I believe you, Dude.” Sam laughed. “She’s really something though, to put up with you for years.”
Dean’s mouth quirked in a half- smile. “She’s the best. I’m a lucky guy.” He said. “You two got along like gang busters…” Dean stopped when he realized he didn’t know how to discuss the other life Sam had led. “I mean…You will get along great trust me.”
“I guess. She mentioned meeting me ‘again’. How could we have known each other before? She doesn’t Buzz. Is her early warning system broken?” The younger Winchester joked.
“Nothing gets by my braniac brother.” Dean said as he dragged a hand across the back of his neck. No sense keeping secrets. This was his brother after all. “Chloe is an immortal -- just not one like us. She was exposed to these meteor rocks back in the 20th century where she grew up in Kansas and they give her a special healing ability.” He explained. “She can’t die. Well, she can, but she comes back. And we're pretty sure that if her head was cut off or her heart removed, it would be all over for her. But I’m not willing to test that theory.”
“She’s from Kansas? That’s a coincidence.”
“Yeah. It was a freaky ass state that’s for sure. Center of weird for the US, if you ask me.”
“How long have you two been together?” Sam wondered.
“On and off for about sixty years.”
“Really? Wow!” He was impressed. “Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”
“Very funny. Besides isn’t that my line?” Dean stopped short. The silence stretched between them. It wasn’t supposed to be awkward, damn it. This was his baby brother. While it was Sam, it was a different version, one frozen at twenty-four. This wasn’t the one who’d shared a full life with him; who’d married, had kids and then died leaving him alone. “Listen Sam, I didn’t mean…”
“Dean, it’s okay.” Sam reassured him. “I got a do over. I’m pretty happy with that idea and you can tell me all about that other life. Think of it like I’ve got a bad case of amnesia.”
Dean thought about that. “Yeah that’s true.”
“Tell me about all these descendants of mine who are running around the ‘verse.”
Dean laughed. “Joey’s gonna have a heart attack. He’s head of the council and fancies himself your most important descendant.” Dean proceeded to elaborate on the living Winchester kin and what they were up to.
“You’ve watched out for them all these years?” Sam asked when Dean had finished. He was touched by the dedication that Dean had given to the task of guardian angel.
“They’re family. Our family. Of course I did.”
“Guess it’s good that I don’t remember my wife and kids.” Sam said quietly “Strange to think I had a whole life that you, Richie and Duncan remember but that I never lived.
“Katie was a great girl. You loved her. We all did.” Dean smiled remembering the tall, lanky blonde. “She adored me of course.”
“I bet.”
“Trust me, you never won a prank war again.” Dean snickered.
“You turned my wife against me?” Sam asked with fake mortification.
“Hey she knew to back a winner.” Dean laughed.
Sam grinned back. “I was married; had kids. Sounds like I was happy.”
Dean nodded. “It was a good life. And now you get to do it all over again.” He said leaning forward to smack Sam on the leg.
Sam absorbed this information. It would take some getting used to; having two lives. Especially when his new friends might forget and expect he had some memory that he didn’t. But that was a small inconvenience. He savored the joy on Dean’s face. His brother’s happiness would make up for any awkwardness between them until they built their own memories in this time.
“You and Chloe.” He said returning to the topic of the spitfire blonde. “You never married her?”
Dean shook his head. “I’ve asked her a couple of times. The first time she said that just me asking was enough and there was no point in Immortals marrying.”
“And the second time?” Sam prompted.
“She told me I still had to prove I wasn’t going to disappear again before she committed. I was still earning my way back into her good graces.” Dean grimaced.
Sam quirked an eyebrow at his brother.
Dean responded with a glare that said it was none of his business. The silent conversation continued for another few moments before the elder Winchester caved. Dean was comforted by the fact that they hadn’t lost their ability to communicate on that unspoken level.
He was a bit reluctant to share his history with Chloe. There were definitely some moments he was not proud of. But Sam and Chloe had been like little girls, always sharing secrets. He figured chances were if he didn’t spill, Chloe would.
“I left for about 150 years and didn’t really say goodbye.” Dean sighed. He didn’t have to wait long for the disapproval to come off Sam in waves.
“Dude, why would you do that? I – the two of you seem so in love.” Sam was incensed for Chloe. He hardly knew her but he could tell that she was someone who deserved better treatment then his brother had doled out. “And how the heck did you get her to take you back?”
“Winchester charm. I’m irresistible.” Dean smirked.
“Seriously.”
“It wasn’t like that Sammy. I left to protect her.” Dean protested. “I couldn’t risk her chasing after me. Besides she understands. It’s part of the ebb and flow of Immortality. In fact, she went off and hijacked a major religion while I was gone. No need to be indignant on her behalf.”
“She did what?” Sam asked.
“Long story. Make her tell it to you sometime. It involves her crazy family, and I'd rather not get into it.” Dean grinned in a way that made it clear that he was absolutely smitten. Sam shook his head at that.
Dean's grin of mischief suddenly melted into one of happiness.
“What is it?” Sam raised an eyebrow.
“It’s just that you always did take Chloe’s side against me and then in the next breath you’d want us to hook up. It’s nice to know that hasn’t changed.” Dean said and added more seriously. “You don’t know what the Alliance is like.”
“River is my friend; I’ve seen what the Alliance can do.” Sam insisted. “And Richie’s panic attacks; I’m guessing those are a gift from the Alliance as well.”
“How do you know about those?” Dean demanded. Then, just as suddenly, he sprang to his feet and headed toward the door with a murderous expression on his face.
Sam was up and had both hands on his brother’s shoulders in an instant. “Calm down. Nothing happened. Richie just had a bit of an episode, is all.” Sam assured him and gently pushed Dean back toward his former seated position. “He’s fine. Embarrassed but fine. I’m thinking I shouldn’t have mentioned it.
“Probably not. He tries to hide it from me sometimes. Just like you and your visions.” Dean said pointedly as he slumped back down against the wall. “It took a long time to get him back to himself and every once in awhile…” Dean huffed out a breath as he left the thought hanging.
Sam studied his brother. It was the same look he’d always had for him after a particularly bad vision. “Was that why you had to leave Chloe? To go off and save your little brother from the Alliance,” he asked.
Dean nodded. “Yeah, Richie is family. I take care of him. As for Chloe, I couldn’t risk her Meta status being uncovered by the bad guys. And of course the Alliance wasn’t real happy that Duncan and I stole their favorite guinea pig.” Dean grimaced at the memory of what had happened to Richie. “Chloe understood that we had to go into hiding. Even so she still enjoys making me suffer.”
“I really like this girl.” Sam quipped.
“Very funny, Sammy.” Dean rolled his eyes.
“You know Dean. I haven’t had a vision since I got here.” Sam said wanting to reassure Dean that he wasn’t in any danger.
“Not surprising.” Dean said casually. “The visions stopped after we killed ‘ol yellow eyes. Far as I know he’s still dead.”
Sam sat up straighter. “The demon that killed mom? You got him?”
Dean was taken aback. There really was so much that this Sam didn’t know. “Oh God Sammy, I should have told you that right away.” Dean took a breath and then shared the entire story of what had happened at the Hellgate. The younger Winchester snuffed back tears as he listened to Dean speak of their dad climbing out of Hell to help them.
The story done, the two leaned back to simply enjoy the other’s company. For Dean, it was nice to relive that moment of triumph with Sam.
They both let out a groan as the Buzz of another Immortal entered their awareness. “Welcome to the club.” Dean said. It pleased him to no end that Sam felt that annoying Buzz, too. Each time was a small confirmation that Sam would be with him forever.
“It’s Wash, most likely. Captain always sends him to find me.” Sam explained. He stood and opened the compartment door to see Richie approaching holding two plates of food.
“Hey Sam. Chloe thought you guys might be hungry.” He said handing over the full platters.
Dean was on his feet and over to Richie in an instant. He placed a hand on his shoulder; a look of concern upon his face. Richie stared at the hand and Dean removed it hurriedly and shoved it into his pocket.
Richie glanced from Dean to Sam. “You told him didn’t you?” He accused his new friend.
Sam tried to respond but found gesturing with the plates of food awkward. He set them on a shelf out of the way before responding. “I’m sorry Rich. It kind of slipped out.”
“You should have told me.” Dean commanded.
“When, Dude? While you were trying to deck Mal or during the reunion with your brother.” Richie snapped back.
“I told Mac it was a bad idea to send you by yourself.” Dean replied.
“Hold on Dean.” Sam said forcing his brother to look at him. “To be fair my arrival was a big shock. Richie had every reason to be thrown by it. We all had pretty extreme reactions.” He gave Dean knowing look.
Dean shrugged trying to deny the emotion of the reunion.
Richie threw Sam a look of gratitude for fudging the facts just a bit. He smiled at the thought that this version of Sam was accepting him as part of the family dynamic.
“I really can take care of myself, Dean, contrary to how you and Mac like to treat me.” Richie insisted. “Now that Sam’s back, I’m sure you’re just dying to turn all that big brother attention to him for awhile and I really don’t mind at all.” Richie winked at Sam.
Sam realized that they’d done this before; the two of them teasing Dean. “Now wait, Rich. I thought we were in this together. No fair throwing me under the bus.” Sam said grasping the true nature of this exchange. “Don’t forget you’ve actually known Dean much longer than I have. You’ve earned all that big brother attention. It wouldn’t be right of me to take it all away.”
“Come on, Sammy. I’m sure Dean wants to mother you for awhile and I need a break.” Richie said. “I’ve done more than my fair share of time in little brother hell.”
“Not really looking forward to that.” Sam heaved an exaggerated sigh. While he would never admit it, he was actually looking forward to Dean’s watching out for him again, but it was great fun pretending otherwise. “There must be a better outlet for all that protectiveness. What about Chloe?”
Richie burst out laughing and Sam joined him when he understood the ridiculousness of that statement. Dean could never make Chloe do anything she didn’t want to.
“Will you two knock it off! You’re bonding like little girls. Which would be great if you actually were girls.” Dean snickered. “Though I have my doubts about both of you.”
“So not funny.” Sam quipped.
“Truth hurts doesn’t it, Samantha?” Dean pushed.
“You’ve had to put up with this for five hundred years?” Sam asked Richie; a smile in his voice. “Now, I understand why you’d want to foist him back on me.”
Richie laughed. “This is nothing. Actually there are some stories I could tell you. There was this one time on Aurora when Dean lost…”
“That’s enough Rich or your gonna lose something.”
“No, no, I need to hear this.” Sam said encouraging Richie to finish
“No Sam, you don’t,” Dean snapped effectively putting an end to the story telling.
Richie nodded at the younger Winchester indicating that he’d fill him in on all elder Winchester’s less than stellar adventures later.
Dean watched the two with hidden enjoyment as their silent exchange continued. Richie was practically bouncing with glee over the thought of sharing Dean’s most embarrassing moments. Dean watched his brothers rekindle their connection and was gratified by Sam’s acceptance of Richie as family. Sam may be blood but Dean had shared several lifetimes of friendship with Richie and they were as close as if he’d grown up a Winchester.
Dean dragged a hand across his face trying to mask his pleasure at having his family complete again. “It’s starting already.” He sighed with exaggerated frustration.
“What Dean?” Richie asked innocently.
“The two of you against me.”
“Is that the way it was?” Sam shrugged. “Makes sense. You’re the one who really needs a keeper.”
“So true, Sammy.” Richie nodded sagely.
Dean tried to keep himself from smiling as he watched the oh-so-familiar interplay between his brothers. It was as if no time had past. But he wasn’t about to let them know he was feeling all warm and fuzzy about it.
“I do not need a keeper!” Dean insisted. “It just takes two of you to keep up with me, is all.”
Sam and Richie smiled knowingly at each other. “If you say so Dean.” Sam said dismissively.
“Bitch.”
“Jerk,” said Richie and Sam in unison and burst out laughing.
***********
Of course: Dang ran
Damn it: Zao gao
Everyone shut up!: Ni men dou bi zui!
SOB: Wang ba dan
Nuts/Crazy: Kuang zhe de
Author:
strangevisitor7Beta:
pen37 Rated: PG
spoilers: For the movie Serenity: The plot goes AU from the end of the movie
Prompt: #13 Yellow for
crossovers100 my table is hereFandom: Firefly, Highlander, SPN & SV. The rest of the Immortal!Dean Universe can be found here.
Characters: From FF: Mal, Zoe, Wash, River, Jayne, Simon, Inara, Kaylee. From I!D 'Verse: Dean Winchester, Duncan MacLeod, Richie Ryan, Chloe Sullivan and Sam Winchester.
Disclaimer: The characters you know and love all belong to their respective creators.
Summary: The story begins at the moment that Since I found Serenity ends. Sam and Dean have been reunited aboard Serenity. Somehow Sam has been reincarnated 500 years in the future. Now the Immortal hunters and the firefly crew have to figure out what really happened on Miranda and who created the Reavers
Chapter Summary: Sam and Dean finally find some alone time to catch up.
A/N: Just want to thank
pen37 for this version of Chloe who's other adventures in this universe are chronicled in Chloe and the Immortals.Chapter List:
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5: Chapter 6; Chapter 7
“Are you Kuang zhe de? You want to capture a Reaver?” Simon gasped. “Those things are dangerous.”
“You got a better idea how we’re gonna find out what they really are?” Dean asked. “What’s it matter to you anyway? I already told you. We’re not bringing civilians along on this hunt.”
At Dean’s declaration the room erupted again into a flurry of over lapping voices shouting various versions of “We’re coming” and “No you’re not”
Chloe stood at the head of the maelstrom and sighed. As much as Dean and the others didn't want to admit it, she could see that they were going to need the crew of Serenity in the coming days. It looked like she was going to have to be the one to make them all see reason.
It seemed that she was always the one thrown into the role as mediator. She’d spent years on New Krypton with Methos getting her big dumb alien cousins to change their fanatical religious ways, so getting her family to accept the help of battle tested ‘civilians’ should be a cake walk. In addition to her amazing healing abilities, Chloe had to admit, she had mad powers of persuasion. She turned her attention back to the group arguing in front to her.
“You’re gonna need us.” Mal insisted.
“He’s right.” Chloe yelled. When she was ignored she tried again. Ni men dou bi zui!. She shouted them all into silence and repeated. “Mal’s right”
“Chloe, you can’t seriously want to bring untrained hunters along on this.” Dean stood to face her.
“I was an untrained hunter once who saved your life many years ago.” She reminded him choosing her words carefully because the incident she referred to happened 500 years prior. Eventually they might let the crew of Serenity in on her version of immortality but for now there was no reason to expose it in the midst of everything else that was going on.
“That was different.” Dean insisted.
“I don’t see how. You almost lost your head, if I recall.” Chloe said as she faced Dean; arms crossed and a determined look on her face.
“She has a point.” Duncan admitted.
Chloe did not allow her pleasure to show at Duncan’s admission. Richie had already nodded that he was with her. Two down and one stubborn-assed fool to go.
“Mac, that was a unique situation and you know it.” Dean turned to glare at his mentor
Duncan shook his head and slouched in his chair saying, “I’m not getting between you and the wildcat.”
Dean looked to the rest of his family for support.
Richie was grinning at him. “Dude, give it up. When have you ever won an argument with Chloe?”
Sam perked up at this. “My brother’s whipped. Now it all makes sense,” he laughed.
“Shut up Sam.” Dean growled. “I am not whipped and I win plenty of arguments.”
“I’m talking outside the bedroom.” Richie quipped and noticed when Chloe dropped her head and let her hair hide her face. She was notorious for caving after Dean “talked” to her alone in the bedroom. Luckily, the elder Winchester was still staring at his brothers and hadn’t noticed her reaction.
“Dude, where's the brotherly solidarity?” Dean asked. When Richie just rolled his eyes, Dean’s shoulders sagged. “Zao gao Fine they can come along.”
“See, now that wasn’t so hard.” Chloe looked up and smiled her blindingly bright smile.
Dean glared at her before returning to slump in his seat. He could feel Sam and Richie snickering on either side of him but he wasn’t in the mood to challenge them.
“Seems our men folk can get along, after all.” Zoe said.
Chloe laughed. “What would they do without us?” the tiny blonde agreed. She looked out at the people gathered. They were finally one crew instead of two. They had a lot of planning to do.
***************************************************
“Mal, before we get into the details of the mission, I think we should break for dinner.” Inara suggested.
“That’s the best plan I’ve heard all day.” Jayne agreed. “I’m starving.”
Murmurs of agreement permeated the galley.
“Sounds like a good idea to me.” Mal said. “We’re got some plannin' to do if we hope to capture a Reaver alive. Best to do that on a full belly.”
The captain nodded at the Companion who gestured to Kaylee and Simon to help her get a meal together.
As the gathering began to break up, Sam grabbed Dean’s arm and indicated it was a good time for them to make a quiet retreat. As much as he wanted to talk to Sam alone, Dean seemed reluctant to leave with everything that was happening.
Chloe saw the exchange and walked over to the brothers. “Go” She whispered. “I can fill you both in later if anything exciting happens. And don’t worry, I’ll save you a plate. Wouldn’t want you to go hungry.”
Sam smiled. “He still a bear if he doesn’t get three meals a day?”
“Feeding Dean is always a top priority. Trust me.” She grinned and handed Dean an apple she’d snagged from the fruit bowl on the counter.
“I guess some things never change.” Dean said. He took the proffered fruit and then wrapped her in his embrace giving her a quick chaste kiss. “We won’t be long.”
With that the brothers disappeared down the passageway. Chloe sighed, straightened her shoulders and went to help with dinner.
*****************************************
The brothers sat on the floor facing each other on opposite sides of the small storage space. Just a few hours before, Sam had been sitting here with River thinking about how much he missed Dean. Then Wash had come to get him and his whole life had changed for the second time in a year. Dean was alive and sitting across from him grinning like an idiot.
Dean kicked out one booted foot to nudge Sam. “So,” he said expectantly.
“Yeah,” Sam replied and then snickered. “Five hundred years old. Really, you don’t look a day over twenty-nine.”
“531,” Dean corrected him. “And it’s better than looking nineteen forever like Richie. Sucks for him sometimes.”
“I bet.” Sam said and trailed into comfortable silence again.
Dean really didn’t care if they talked about anything at all. Having Sam in the same room again was more than he’d hoped for in centuries of existence.
He hadn’t felt truly lonely in a long time, not with his Immortal family close by but that didn’t mean he still didn’t have moments he wished he could have shared with Sam. Early on there had been long stretches of depression but Richie and Duncan had always been around. And of course there was Chloe. She made him feel safe and alive.
He missed his brother but he hadn’t realized how much he still ached for Sam until he’d seen him standing in Serenity’s cargo bay.
“Chloe?” Sam asked jarring Dean out his musings.
Dean eyed his brother. “Richie’s wrong, you know. I am not whipped!”
“I believe you, Dude.” Sam laughed. “She’s really something though, to put up with you for years.”
Dean’s mouth quirked in a half- smile. “She’s the best. I’m a lucky guy.” He said. “You two got along like gang busters…” Dean stopped when he realized he didn’t know how to discuss the other life Sam had led. “I mean…You will get along great trust me.”
“I guess. She mentioned meeting me ‘again’. How could we have known each other before? She doesn’t Buzz. Is her early warning system broken?” The younger Winchester joked.
“Nothing gets by my braniac brother.” Dean said as he dragged a hand across the back of his neck. No sense keeping secrets. This was his brother after all. “Chloe is an immortal -- just not one like us. She was exposed to these meteor rocks back in the 20th century where she grew up in Kansas and they give her a special healing ability.” He explained. “She can’t die. Well, she can, but she comes back. And we're pretty sure that if her head was cut off or her heart removed, it would be all over for her. But I’m not willing to test that theory.”
“She’s from Kansas? That’s a coincidence.”
“Yeah. It was a freaky ass state that’s for sure. Center of weird for the US, if you ask me.”
“How long have you two been together?” Sam wondered.
“On and off for about sixty years.”
“Really? Wow!” He was impressed. “Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”
“Very funny. Besides isn’t that my line?” Dean stopped short. The silence stretched between them. It wasn’t supposed to be awkward, damn it. This was his baby brother. While it was Sam, it was a different version, one frozen at twenty-four. This wasn’t the one who’d shared a full life with him; who’d married, had kids and then died leaving him alone. “Listen Sam, I didn’t mean…”
“Dean, it’s okay.” Sam reassured him. “I got a do over. I’m pretty happy with that idea and you can tell me all about that other life. Think of it like I’ve got a bad case of amnesia.”
Dean thought about that. “Yeah that’s true.”
“Tell me about all these descendants of mine who are running around the ‘verse.”
Dean laughed. “Joey’s gonna have a heart attack. He’s head of the council and fancies himself your most important descendant.” Dean proceeded to elaborate on the living Winchester kin and what they were up to.
“You’ve watched out for them all these years?” Sam asked when Dean had finished. He was touched by the dedication that Dean had given to the task of guardian angel.
“They’re family. Our family. Of course I did.”
“Guess it’s good that I don’t remember my wife and kids.” Sam said quietly “Strange to think I had a whole life that you, Richie and Duncan remember but that I never lived.
“Katie was a great girl. You loved her. We all did.” Dean smiled remembering the tall, lanky blonde. “She adored me of course.”
“I bet.”
“Trust me, you never won a prank war again.” Dean snickered.
“You turned my wife against me?” Sam asked with fake mortification.
“Hey she knew to back a winner.” Dean laughed.
Sam grinned back. “I was married; had kids. Sounds like I was happy.”
Dean nodded. “It was a good life. And now you get to do it all over again.” He said leaning forward to smack Sam on the leg.
Sam absorbed this information. It would take some getting used to; having two lives. Especially when his new friends might forget and expect he had some memory that he didn’t. But that was a small inconvenience. He savored the joy on Dean’s face. His brother’s happiness would make up for any awkwardness between them until they built their own memories in this time.
“You and Chloe.” He said returning to the topic of the spitfire blonde. “You never married her?”
Dean shook his head. “I’ve asked her a couple of times. The first time she said that just me asking was enough and there was no point in Immortals marrying.”
“And the second time?” Sam prompted.
“She told me I still had to prove I wasn’t going to disappear again before she committed. I was still earning my way back into her good graces.” Dean grimaced.
Sam quirked an eyebrow at his brother.
Dean responded with a glare that said it was none of his business. The silent conversation continued for another few moments before the elder Winchester caved. Dean was comforted by the fact that they hadn’t lost their ability to communicate on that unspoken level.
He was a bit reluctant to share his history with Chloe. There were definitely some moments he was not proud of. But Sam and Chloe had been like little girls, always sharing secrets. He figured chances were if he didn’t spill, Chloe would.
“I left for about 150 years and didn’t really say goodbye.” Dean sighed. He didn’t have to wait long for the disapproval to come off Sam in waves.
“Dude, why would you do that? I – the two of you seem so in love.” Sam was incensed for Chloe. He hardly knew her but he could tell that she was someone who deserved better treatment then his brother had doled out. “And how the heck did you get her to take you back?”
“Winchester charm. I’m irresistible.” Dean smirked.
“Seriously.”
“It wasn’t like that Sammy. I left to protect her.” Dean protested. “I couldn’t risk her chasing after me. Besides she understands. It’s part of the ebb and flow of Immortality. In fact, she went off and hijacked a major religion while I was gone. No need to be indignant on her behalf.”
“She did what?” Sam asked.
“Long story. Make her tell it to you sometime. It involves her crazy family, and I'd rather not get into it.” Dean grinned in a way that made it clear that he was absolutely smitten. Sam shook his head at that.
Dean's grin of mischief suddenly melted into one of happiness.
“What is it?” Sam raised an eyebrow.
“It’s just that you always did take Chloe’s side against me and then in the next breath you’d want us to hook up. It’s nice to know that hasn’t changed.” Dean said and added more seriously. “You don’t know what the Alliance is like.”
“River is my friend; I’ve seen what the Alliance can do.” Sam insisted. “And Richie’s panic attacks; I’m guessing those are a gift from the Alliance as well.”
“How do you know about those?” Dean demanded. Then, just as suddenly, he sprang to his feet and headed toward the door with a murderous expression on his face.
Sam was up and had both hands on his brother’s shoulders in an instant. “Calm down. Nothing happened. Richie just had a bit of an episode, is all.” Sam assured him and gently pushed Dean back toward his former seated position. “He’s fine. Embarrassed but fine. I’m thinking I shouldn’t have mentioned it.
“Probably not. He tries to hide it from me sometimes. Just like you and your visions.” Dean said pointedly as he slumped back down against the wall. “It took a long time to get him back to himself and every once in awhile…” Dean huffed out a breath as he left the thought hanging.
Sam studied his brother. It was the same look he’d always had for him after a particularly bad vision. “Was that why you had to leave Chloe? To go off and save your little brother from the Alliance,” he asked.
Dean nodded. “Yeah, Richie is family. I take care of him. As for Chloe, I couldn’t risk her Meta status being uncovered by the bad guys. And of course the Alliance wasn’t real happy that Duncan and I stole their favorite guinea pig.” Dean grimaced at the memory of what had happened to Richie. “Chloe understood that we had to go into hiding. Even so she still enjoys making me suffer.”
“I really like this girl.” Sam quipped.
“Very funny, Sammy.” Dean rolled his eyes.
“You know Dean. I haven’t had a vision since I got here.” Sam said wanting to reassure Dean that he wasn’t in any danger.
“Not surprising.” Dean said casually. “The visions stopped after we killed ‘ol yellow eyes. Far as I know he’s still dead.”
Sam sat up straighter. “The demon that killed mom? You got him?”
Dean was taken aback. There really was so much that this Sam didn’t know. “Oh God Sammy, I should have told you that right away.” Dean took a breath and then shared the entire story of what had happened at the Hellgate. The younger Winchester snuffed back tears as he listened to Dean speak of their dad climbing out of Hell to help them.
The story done, the two leaned back to simply enjoy the other’s company. For Dean, it was nice to relive that moment of triumph with Sam.
They both let out a groan as the Buzz of another Immortal entered their awareness. “Welcome to the club.” Dean said. It pleased him to no end that Sam felt that annoying Buzz, too. Each time was a small confirmation that Sam would be with him forever.
“It’s Wash, most likely. Captain always sends him to find me.” Sam explained. He stood and opened the compartment door to see Richie approaching holding two plates of food.
“Hey Sam. Chloe thought you guys might be hungry.” He said handing over the full platters.
Dean was on his feet and over to Richie in an instant. He placed a hand on his shoulder; a look of concern upon his face. Richie stared at the hand and Dean removed it hurriedly and shoved it into his pocket.
Richie glanced from Dean to Sam. “You told him didn’t you?” He accused his new friend.
Sam tried to respond but found gesturing with the plates of food awkward. He set them on a shelf out of the way before responding. “I’m sorry Rich. It kind of slipped out.”
“You should have told me.” Dean commanded.
“When, Dude? While you were trying to deck Mal or during the reunion with your brother.” Richie snapped back.
“I told Mac it was a bad idea to send you by yourself.” Dean replied.
“Hold on Dean.” Sam said forcing his brother to look at him. “To be fair my arrival was a big shock. Richie had every reason to be thrown by it. We all had pretty extreme reactions.” He gave Dean knowing look.
Dean shrugged trying to deny the emotion of the reunion.
Richie threw Sam a look of gratitude for fudging the facts just a bit. He smiled at the thought that this version of Sam was accepting him as part of the family dynamic.
“I really can take care of myself, Dean, contrary to how you and Mac like to treat me.” Richie insisted. “Now that Sam’s back, I’m sure you’re just dying to turn all that big brother attention to him for awhile and I really don’t mind at all.” Richie winked at Sam.
Sam realized that they’d done this before; the two of them teasing Dean. “Now wait, Rich. I thought we were in this together. No fair throwing me under the bus.” Sam said grasping the true nature of this exchange. “Don’t forget you’ve actually known Dean much longer than I have. You’ve earned all that big brother attention. It wouldn’t be right of me to take it all away.”
“Come on, Sammy. I’m sure Dean wants to mother you for awhile and I need a break.” Richie said. “I’ve done more than my fair share of time in little brother hell.”
“Not really looking forward to that.” Sam heaved an exaggerated sigh. While he would never admit it, he was actually looking forward to Dean’s watching out for him again, but it was great fun pretending otherwise. “There must be a better outlet for all that protectiveness. What about Chloe?”
Richie burst out laughing and Sam joined him when he understood the ridiculousness of that statement. Dean could never make Chloe do anything she didn’t want to.
“Will you two knock it off! You’re bonding like little girls. Which would be great if you actually were girls.” Dean snickered. “Though I have my doubts about both of you.”
“So not funny.” Sam quipped.
“Truth hurts doesn’t it, Samantha?” Dean pushed.
“You’ve had to put up with this for five hundred years?” Sam asked Richie; a smile in his voice. “Now, I understand why you’d want to foist him back on me.”
Richie laughed. “This is nothing. Actually there are some stories I could tell you. There was this one time on Aurora when Dean lost…”
“That’s enough Rich or your gonna lose something.”
“No, no, I need to hear this.” Sam said encouraging Richie to finish
“No Sam, you don’t,” Dean snapped effectively putting an end to the story telling.
Richie nodded at the younger Winchester indicating that he’d fill him in on all elder Winchester’s less than stellar adventures later.
Dean watched the two with hidden enjoyment as their silent exchange continued. Richie was practically bouncing with glee over the thought of sharing Dean’s most embarrassing moments. Dean watched his brothers rekindle their connection and was gratified by Sam’s acceptance of Richie as family. Sam may be blood but Dean had shared several lifetimes of friendship with Richie and they were as close as if he’d grown up a Winchester.
Dean dragged a hand across his face trying to mask his pleasure at having his family complete again. “It’s starting already.” He sighed with exaggerated frustration.
“What Dean?” Richie asked innocently.
“The two of you against me.”
“Is that the way it was?” Sam shrugged. “Makes sense. You’re the one who really needs a keeper.”
“So true, Sammy.” Richie nodded sagely.
Dean tried to keep himself from smiling as he watched the oh-so-familiar interplay between his brothers. It was as if no time had past. But he wasn’t about to let them know he was feeling all warm and fuzzy about it.
“I do not need a keeper!” Dean insisted. “It just takes two of you to keep up with me, is all.”
Sam and Richie smiled knowingly at each other. “If you say so Dean.” Sam said dismissively.
“Bitch.”
“Jerk,” said Richie and Sam in unison and burst out laughing.
***********
Of course: Dang ran
Damn it: Zao gao
Everyone shut up!: Ni men dou bi zui!
SOB: Wang ba dan
Nuts/Crazy: Kuang zhe de
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2008-05-07 10:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:sooo cute!
Date: 2008-05-07 10:46 pm (UTC)Re: sooo cute!
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Date: 2008-05-07 11:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2008-05-08 12:55 am (UTC)Loved the Winchester talk. Spot on and fantastic! :D
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Date: 2008-05-08 03:13 am (UTC)Fabulous brother bonding!! I loved it!
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Date: 2008-05-08 08:24 am (UTC)Great dynamics dear, can't wait for more.
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Date: 2008-05-08 01:03 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2008-05-08 03:37 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2008-05-08 07:58 pm (UTC)*waits for more*
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Date: 2008-05-09 07:01 am (UTC)More Please.
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Date: 2008-05-13 01:22 am (UTC)How much am I enjoying this verse with mixed up cwazy charecters. Too much! I haven't read the ID verse I think I skipped over it but I got the gist of what had happened before. Thank god I'm familiar with the fandoms you got here.
Its good to see the brotherly love come back, I love how you've managed to keep everyone the way we all know and wuv em.
Good job.
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