Not Looking for Trouble (3/3) - HL/SPN/SV - Immortal!Dean 'Verse
Title: Not Looking for Trouble (3/3)
Author: Strangevisitor7
Beta: Thanks to Pen37 for the beta and for Meta!Chloe. She really helped me get inside Chloe's head. So grateful!
Prompt: #1:Beginnings for crossovers100 My Claim is Highlander and My table is here
Rated: PG
Fandom: HL, Smallville and SPN: Immortal!Dean ‘verse
Characters: Sam and Dean Winchester, Duncan MacLeod and Chloe Sullivan, OMI
Disclaimer: The characters you know and love all belong to their respective creators.
Summary: Between the chick reporter (Chloe) and his two boy scout companions (Mac and Sam), Dean needs a little time away and heads to the nearest bar but trouble has found Dean as he faces his first Immortal Challenger.
Prologue: We Can't Keep Her, Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3
The rest of the Immortal!Dean 'verse can be found in the Immortal!Dean Archive
Thanks to galathea_snb for my Header
Not Looking for Trouble: Part 3
Chloe was impressed as she watched Sam steal a car. It was quite a different side of him from the clean cut guy she was getting to know.
“I think I saw a Dean-style bar on the way into town,” Sam informed Duncan and Chloe as he pulled the stolen Ford out of the parking lot.
“Dean-style bar; is that a polite way of saying dive?” Chloe snickered.
“She’s barely known him two days and already she knows him too well.” Duncan confirmed.
“It’s not like he’s hard to predict.”
“Very true,” Duncan agreed.
They rode in silence, eyes peeled for any sign of the Impala. The neon sign of Bud’s Roadhouse came into view. The industrial neighborhood reeked of abandonment. Several empty warehouses lined the opposite side of the street.
The parking lot was nearly empty. Sam pulled the car to a stop at the front door and scanned the lot for the Impala. “There it is,” he pointed to the black Chevy tucked into the back corner of the parking lot.
Duncan stilled sensing the presence of another Immortal. Sam recognized the look. He’d seen it all summer whenever the Immortals entered into each other’s presence. “Dean’s definitely inside,” he confirmed.
Sam nodded the relief evident on his face. He knew that as events unfolded they would eventually have to explain everything to Chloe but for now she’d kept her promise to trust them without question.
He pulled the car into the spot next to the Impala.
Duncan jumped out the moment it stopped. “You two stay put. I’ll handle this.” He grabbed Dean’s sword and was about to head toward the front door when it swung open and a tall blonde in a black duster was unceremoniously tossed out.
“Oh, hell!” Duncan realized the Buzz that he’d sensed wasn’t coming from Dean. The stranger glanced his way in acknowledgement, but otherwise made no move to approach them. He simply stood there, as if waiting for something. In his eyes was the challenge to Duncan to make the first move.
Sam turned his gaze toward the stranger. The younger Winchester didn’t need the buzz to tell him that the guy was another Immortal. Sam exited the car. “Mac, What about Dean? Can you sense him?”
“Can’t tell,” Duncan admitted. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Chloe get out of the car. The reporter was wearing a confused, curious look. With a sinking feeling, Duncan realized that she wouldn't be able to suppress her natural reporter's instincts for much longer. “Sam, I’ll handle this. You take Chloe back the hotel, now,” he commanded.
“Worry about your own back. I’m staying right here.” Chloe moved to stand next to Duncan. It surprised Chloe to see that he was watching the stranger like a predator. Questions were tumbling through her mind Sam had asked if Mac could sense Dean; was there some kind of psychic connection between them? Still, she resisted the urge to assault Duncan with all of them and simply asked “Someone you know?”
Duncan grabbed her arm but never took his eyes off the smiling stranger. “Chloe can't you put your inner reporter away for one minute and just go back to the hotel with Sam?” He glanced to his left, to see that Sam had moved to the trunk of the Impala. No doubt to retrieve something from their cache of weapons.
She wrenched out of his grasped, “You really want to argue about this now?”
Mac looked down at the petite woman who had planted herself beside him and he was again reminded of Amanda. The argument was lost but he had to keep trying. He wasn’t going to be responsible if she got caught in the crossfire between three Immortals. “Chloe, it’s nothing personal, but you and Sam should go.”
“I’m not going any where until I know what’s happened to Dean.” Sam had returned to stand beside them, a lethal-looking machete in his hand.
Chloe looked from the weapon in Sam’s grasp to the steel in Duncan eyes. Her face turned wary as the graveness of the situation occurred to her. “This guy isn't your run-of-the mill barfly, is he?”
“No,” Duncan shook his head. The Immortal still hadn’t move from his position, halfway between them and the front of the bar. Duncan assumed he wouldn’t finish his approach until the mortals were gone but he couldn’t be sure. He had to convince Chloe and Sam to go while the Immortal was still keeping his distance. “There isn't time to explain, but you and Sam are in very serious danger.”
“And you're not?” Chloe cocked an eyebrow.
Suddenly, the door of the bar was flung open and a figure darted out into the parking lot. He rolled quickly behind the nearest car. Duncan would have laughed at the absurd maneuver except that he knew Dean was running for his life.
“Dean! Over here,” yelled Sam.
Dean popped up from a new location. It was obvious that he’d been working his way toward the Impala. “Mac. Sam,” he sounded relieved. He gave a wide berth to the still grinning stranger standing in the parking lot as he made his way back to his companions.
Without a word, Mac handed Dean his sword. The stern look of disapproval was all Duncan needed to get his point across. Dean couldn’t meet his mentor’s eyes. “Sorry about the sword. I won't forget it again.” When Duncan didn’t respond, Dean continued. “I am really glad you brought the sword because it seems Nazi George over there didn’t get the memo about the new rules.”
“It’s not funny Dean,” Sam chided him. “You didn't even have a gun on you. Were you going to defend yourself with that?” Sam indicated the hunting knife that Dean was tucking back into his boot.
“You know bouncers tend to call the police if they suspect you’re packing,” Dean shrugged. “Besides, I had every thing I needed in the Impala.”
Sam scowled at him. He was unwilling to let it go. “Except your sword. You could have been killed.”
“He still will be killed in due time.” George had moved closer. Taking in the scene he shook his head. “Forgot your sword; my how careless.” Locking eyes with Duncan, he added dismissively. “Is he your student? Not a very good teacher.”
“Get lost asshole,” Dean growled.
“Still the coward. Do you think the appearance of your friends negates our challenge?” He chuckled, “You are a new one.”
“Look you don’t have to do this.” Duncan the peacemaker had entered the conversation. “The Game is evil. We were being manipulated into killing each other. We …”
The man’s chilling laughter cut off the rest of Duncan’s explanation. “Your student tried the same weak tactics. How have you cowards survived so long, spewing these ridiculous fairy tales?”
“I’m Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod and I am no coward.” The cold commanding tone had returned to Duncan’s voice
“Well, Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod,” he mocked. “I am George Mueller and I have no interest in your silly philosophies. In a thousand years I have never walked away from a challenge. Now, move aside. The youngling and I have unfinished business.”
Duncan started to respond when Dean stopped him with a light grip on his shoulder. “It’s okay, Mac. I can take this pansy. I have to take my first head sometime, right?” He shot Mac a lighthearted grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.”
Through this exchange, Chloe been standing unobtrusively off to the side. As Dean professed his intent to kill Mueller, he saw her eyes widened in a way that made it clear she was re-assessing her opinions of them in that serial killer kind of way.
“Sam,” Duncan's eyes cut over to Chloe.
Chloe watched as Duncan glanced meaningfully at Sam. She guessed that the plan was to get rid of the nosy reporter.
“Great,” She muttered with a rueful shake of her head as she slowly backed away from them all. “Why is it that Papa Sullivan's little girl always falls in with nut-jobs and serial killers?” She wasn’t going to let Sam take her anywhere, now.
She glanced around the parking lot warily. The bar wasn’t to far away maybe she could make the run for it before one of them stopped her. There was safety inside. Then she could phone the police for help or find some way to contact Clark.
“She doesn’t know what we are; how delightful,” the blonde guy with the German accent looked at her in a way that made her skin crawl.
We? Her eyes cut over to Dean. Given that over the years she had been menaced by everything from heat-sucking vampires to telekinetic, chainsaw-wielding maniacs, she wasn't really sure what she was up against. “Okay, I give. What are you, Dean? Meta human? Alien from another planet? Garden variety whack-job?”
Dean moved beside her. His stance was protective, rather than menacing. “Just the man of your dreams, baby.” The joking tone of his voice could not hide the anger in his eyes as he stared at George.
“I feel badly that I will have to kill you in front of your woman. But as in the old days I will claim her as my own.”
“And that would be a big ew.” Chloe shook her head as shiver crawled down her spine.
“Seconded,” Dean muttered. “Chloe, you mind getting back out of the way? I'd hate to get this guy's blood on your shoes.”
Chloe quirked an eyebrow at Dean as he moved between her and the German, which also effectively trapped her between Sam and Duncan. She thought of pulling out the .38 she had strapped in securely under her arm, forcing them to let her retreat into the bar but she knew that at least two of them were armed and they were all bigger. She had no desire to shoot her way out of their company. She might have fallen in with nut-jobs, but she didn't want to kill them.
Dean frowned down at Chloe. Judging by the way she was eying the parking lot, she was definitely thinking of escape. Great. She waits until now to grow a brain, he scowled. The problem was, now she knew just enough to be dangerous. And there was no time to tell her the rest. If she ran off, screaming at the top of her lungs, they'd draw a hell of a lot of unwanted attention to their little duel.
The irony of all of it was, when he didn't want her around, she was right there. When he needed her to behave herself, she was ready to bolt.
Dean glanced up to Duncan for guidance, but the older immortal was delivering his own challenge to the Aryan. “You go through me first.”
“No Highlander, I want the hothead. Our challenge has already begun and you are interfering.”
“Then, I’ll be waiting for you. You won’t live five minutes after you’ve taken his head.”
Muller huffed his disagreement, “I beg to differ. I will be recovered in time.”
“Don’t count on it.”
“Hey guys,” Dean interrupted. “Not dead yet. Also Mac, I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
Duncan blinked. He shook his head, and frowned in contrition. “Dean, no I… sorry…”
Dean held up a hand to stop Duncan’s apology, “I get it. Standard smack talk.” Turning to his opponent Dean said, “okay, you got me. Where to?”
George gestured across the street, “I think one of those lovely warehouses will be ideal.”
Dean was about to nod in agreement, when Sam spoke up. “Please Dean. You don’t have to do this. Fighting each other; it’s what the demons want. This is not right.”
“Got to, Sammy. Guy called me a coward. I don’t run.”
“Who cares, let’s just go,” Sam was begging now. He looked to Duncan with a pleading expression. “Mac, tell him not to do this.”
“This is what we do.” Duncan sighed. “It’s going to take awhile before everyone’s on board. Some of them may never be. The best thing we can do is take this guy out.”
Sam shook his head stubbornly. He moved in front of his brother to stop him from following the Immortal. “The Game is a farce. It has no real purpose except to set you against each other. You don’t have to do this.”
Sam and Dean stood facing each other, sharing a silent conversation. Finally Dean spoke, “I know, Bitch”
“Jerk” Sam’s voice was full of quiet desperation.
********************
The German headed for the warehouses. Duncan and Sam were right behind him but Dean waited, wanting to make sure Chloe was coming with them.
“Chloe,” Dean moved, grabbed her and guided her toward the street, “Please, you have to come with us but stay close to Sam.”
Chloe looked unsure but let him lead her. If it had been any other woman, she probably would have bolted back when the first metaphorical rattling of swords started. She had told Sam about some of the freaky shit she’d seen in her life. If he could just prod her natural curiosities to keep her from running for safety until after the duel, then maybe they’d have a chance to explain everything to her.
Suddenly, she stopped the fear winning again. She shook her head. “Not moving until you give me a good reason, Dean” She wasn’t prepared to walk into an abandoned warehouse with what amounted to four strange -- emphasis on the strange -- men. She may have traveled in the Impala for two days but she really didn’t know the three of them all that well.
“Look,” He pleaded trying to make her understand. “I don’t have time for your questions. You have to trust me. You and Sam are in the most danger here. You two have to stick together. I’m sure you can get my brother to explain everything later.”
“Because you have this overwhelming need to participate in a combat to the death?” She shook her head. “Sorry Dean, but I’m going to need just little bit more”
Switching gears, Dean whirled to loom over her, “Can’t you shut up and do what you’re asked to for one minute?”
She looked up at him, quirky smile on her face, “No, I can’t. Not when you’re about to do some stupid caveman like ritual that makes….”
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Dean growled as he grabbed her and then without hesitation kissed her. Her fists beat against his chest, like the fluttering of some tiny bird, before uncurling. She flattened her palms against his chest, and slid them up to circle his neck.
Chloe’s eyes remained closed as Dean pulled away. When she opened them she was looking up into his green eyes, speechless.
“So, now we know how to shut you up. I’ll have to remember that.”
Chloe’s eyes grew dark and she slapped him.
“What?” He grinned at her. “I could be walking to my death here. You can’t grant the possibly, dying man a last kiss? Besides, I could tell that you liked it. How about another?”
She scowled at him. “Dean Winchester, I wouldn’t kiss you again if you were the last man on earth.”
“Well, it’s always a possibility,” he smirked.
Chloe looked at him sideways. He could practically see the question on her lips when they heard Duncan yelling for them to hurry up. Dean led her into the warehouse. He had effectively thrown her off balance enough to win the argument. He deposited her next to Sam.
“Head in the Game, Dean,” Duncan commanded. “Sam, you contain Chloe.”
She made to protest but Mac held up a finger, “Behave or I swear I’ll lock you in the trunk of Dean's car. You shouldn’t be here …either of you,” he gave Sam a pointed look.
Sam pulled Chloe beside him, “We’ll behave.” He promised for both of them.
The German was standing in the center of the empty space swinging his sword in preparation. He waited until he had their attention. “It has been a long time since I’ve had an audience. I will do my best to make it entertaining.”
Dean tossed his leather jacket at Sam and went to meet the challenge with sword in hand.
****************
The sound of swords meeting reverberated through the empty warehouse. George had attacked first but Dean had easily parried. The deadly dance moved around the warehouse floor. Both used the pillars that held up the second floor to their advantage. Dean had moved on the offensive driving George back.
Duncan watched with sadness. It was apparent to him after only a few moments that Dean was over matched. George only appeared to give ground. He maneuvered easily away from any attacks and held Dean almost at arms length while seemingly allowing himself to be backed into the wall. Duncan recognized the tactic. George was toying with Dean.
Dean was in a rhythm and was keeping up admirably but Duncan knew that they hadn’t seen the best of what George could offer. He glanced at Sam and Chloe; they were taken in by the assault Dean was handing out. To the untrained eye, it looked like Dean was winning.
Duncan watched as the tables turned. George had grown tired of playing with his prey. And like a cat grown bored with a mouse, he went in for the kill. Suddenly Dean was on the defensive. Duncan could tell that Dean had been fooled. It wasn’t his fault, George was good. Duncan blamed himself. He hadn’t schooled the young hunter in this kind of tactic. He had been so impressed with Dean’s natural talent and he’d hoped that soon the Game would be gone, that Duncan had failed him. He berated himself for not doing more to prepare Dean.
In the center of the room the duel was drawing to a close. George had bloodied Dean’s sword arm. Injured, Dean swung his sword too wide and George plunged his blade deep into Dean’s gut. Gasping Dean dropped to his knees, as his sword slipped from his hand.
“No,” Sam shouted as he watched his brother fall. He still held the machete and he moved to join the fight.
Duncan grabbed him and easily knocked the weapon from Sam’s hand. “You can’t; he’ll kill you too.”
Sam struggled against Duncan. Duncan hugged him tight and even Sam’s larger size was no match for Duncan’s iron grip.
Across the warehouse, George’s creepy laugh filled the air. “Alas, too young to be much of a challenge. I hope your mentor provides more of a test.” He looked toward Duncan who was too busy trying to stop Sam to hear the taunt.
Dean looked up at his executioner and tried to respond but he couldn’t make the sound come out. He kneeled there with both hands clutching his midsection barely holding onto consciousness.
George’s sword had just reached the apex of its swing when the shot rang out. George looked down to see the redness spreading across his chest. Then he was on his knees facing Dean.
Instinctively, Dean reached for his sword. He used the weapon to regain his footing and then he swung for the fences as he took George’s head.
Dean dropped his sword, turned and began to stagger back toward his friends when the Quickening hit. The force of it sent him down on his knees again.
Chloe and Sam were mesmerized by the light show. Sam wanted go to Dean but Duncan indicated he should wait. “Holy crap, Mac. What the hell is that?”
“That is why others will always come for us. It’s the Quickening and many Immortals are addicted to the rush they receive from it. It is the essence of who we are.”
Once the pyrotechnics ceased, Sam ran to help his brother to his feet. Sam felt for the stomach wound as Dean batted his hand away. “It’s healed.” Sam observed with awe.
Dean smile at his little brother “Hey man, thanks for shooting that bastard.”
“It wasn’t me Dean, though I wish it had been.” Dean looked to where Chloe and Duncan stood. She still held the .38 in her hand.
“Oh, you’ve got be friggin’ kidding me?”
“Okay, someone better explain to me what the hell is going on,” Chloe said. Her face was twisted in a mask of anger. “Because not only have I had it up to here with secrets, swords, freaky light shows, and talk of Immortality, but I just shot a man, and I'm not even in Reno.”
Before Dean could retort, Sam scooped Chloe up in a twirling hug. “Thank you.” He spun her around until her anger seemed to break. She gave into the tension and released it with him. Soon they were both laughing hysterically.
He set her down on her feet. She regained her balance shook her head, and looked pointedly at Dean.
“Okay, I'm calmer now. I get that you have secrets. And I get the fact that, being a reporter, I'm probably the last person you guys want to talk to. But please guys, I need to know. Totally off the record. What are you?”
Dean stood meeting her gaze with equal intensity as a slow smirk lifted the corners of his mouth. “The man of your dreams, baby.”
Author: Strangevisitor7
Beta: Thanks to Pen37 for the beta and for Meta!Chloe. She really helped me get inside Chloe's head. So grateful!
Prompt: #1:Beginnings for crossovers100 My Claim is Highlander and My table is here
Rated: PG
Fandom: HL, Smallville and SPN: Immortal!Dean ‘verse
Characters: Sam and Dean Winchester, Duncan MacLeod and Chloe Sullivan, OMI
Disclaimer: The characters you know and love all belong to their respective creators.
Summary: Between the chick reporter (Chloe) and his two boy scout companions (Mac and Sam), Dean needs a little time away and heads to the nearest bar but trouble has found Dean as he faces his first Immortal Challenger.
Prologue: We Can't Keep Her, Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3
The rest of the Immortal!Dean 'verse can be found in the Immortal!Dean Archive
Thanks to galathea_snb for my Header
Not Looking for Trouble: Part 3
Chloe was impressed as she watched Sam steal a car. It was quite a different side of him from the clean cut guy she was getting to know.
“I think I saw a Dean-style bar on the way into town,” Sam informed Duncan and Chloe as he pulled the stolen Ford out of the parking lot.
“Dean-style bar; is that a polite way of saying dive?” Chloe snickered.
“She’s barely known him two days and already she knows him too well.” Duncan confirmed.
“It’s not like he’s hard to predict.”
“Very true,” Duncan agreed.
They rode in silence, eyes peeled for any sign of the Impala. The neon sign of Bud’s Roadhouse came into view. The industrial neighborhood reeked of abandonment. Several empty warehouses lined the opposite side of the street.
The parking lot was nearly empty. Sam pulled the car to a stop at the front door and scanned the lot for the Impala. “There it is,” he pointed to the black Chevy tucked into the back corner of the parking lot.
Duncan stilled sensing the presence of another Immortal. Sam recognized the look. He’d seen it all summer whenever the Immortals entered into each other’s presence. “Dean’s definitely inside,” he confirmed.
Sam nodded the relief evident on his face. He knew that as events unfolded they would eventually have to explain everything to Chloe but for now she’d kept her promise to trust them without question.
He pulled the car into the spot next to the Impala.
Duncan jumped out the moment it stopped. “You two stay put. I’ll handle this.” He grabbed Dean’s sword and was about to head toward the front door when it swung open and a tall blonde in a black duster was unceremoniously tossed out.
“Oh, hell!” Duncan realized the Buzz that he’d sensed wasn’t coming from Dean. The stranger glanced his way in acknowledgement, but otherwise made no move to approach them. He simply stood there, as if waiting for something. In his eyes was the challenge to Duncan to make the first move.
Sam turned his gaze toward the stranger. The younger Winchester didn’t need the buzz to tell him that the guy was another Immortal. Sam exited the car. “Mac, What about Dean? Can you sense him?”
“Can’t tell,” Duncan admitted. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Chloe get out of the car. The reporter was wearing a confused, curious look. With a sinking feeling, Duncan realized that she wouldn't be able to suppress her natural reporter's instincts for much longer. “Sam, I’ll handle this. You take Chloe back the hotel, now,” he commanded.
“Worry about your own back. I’m staying right here.” Chloe moved to stand next to Duncan. It surprised Chloe to see that he was watching the stranger like a predator. Questions were tumbling through her mind Sam had asked if Mac could sense Dean; was there some kind of psychic connection between them? Still, she resisted the urge to assault Duncan with all of them and simply asked “Someone you know?”
Duncan grabbed her arm but never took his eyes off the smiling stranger. “Chloe can't you put your inner reporter away for one minute and just go back to the hotel with Sam?” He glanced to his left, to see that Sam had moved to the trunk of the Impala. No doubt to retrieve something from their cache of weapons.
She wrenched out of his grasped, “You really want to argue about this now?”
Mac looked down at the petite woman who had planted herself beside him and he was again reminded of Amanda. The argument was lost but he had to keep trying. He wasn’t going to be responsible if she got caught in the crossfire between three Immortals. “Chloe, it’s nothing personal, but you and Sam should go.”
“I’m not going any where until I know what’s happened to Dean.” Sam had returned to stand beside them, a lethal-looking machete in his hand.
Chloe looked from the weapon in Sam’s grasp to the steel in Duncan eyes. Her face turned wary as the graveness of the situation occurred to her. “This guy isn't your run-of-the mill barfly, is he?”
“No,” Duncan shook his head. The Immortal still hadn’t move from his position, halfway between them and the front of the bar. Duncan assumed he wouldn’t finish his approach until the mortals were gone but he couldn’t be sure. He had to convince Chloe and Sam to go while the Immortal was still keeping his distance. “There isn't time to explain, but you and Sam are in very serious danger.”
“And you're not?” Chloe cocked an eyebrow.
Suddenly, the door of the bar was flung open and a figure darted out into the parking lot. He rolled quickly behind the nearest car. Duncan would have laughed at the absurd maneuver except that he knew Dean was running for his life.
“Dean! Over here,” yelled Sam.
Dean popped up from a new location. It was obvious that he’d been working his way toward the Impala. “Mac. Sam,” he sounded relieved. He gave a wide berth to the still grinning stranger standing in the parking lot as he made his way back to his companions.
Without a word, Mac handed Dean his sword. The stern look of disapproval was all Duncan needed to get his point across. Dean couldn’t meet his mentor’s eyes. “Sorry about the sword. I won't forget it again.” When Duncan didn’t respond, Dean continued. “I am really glad you brought the sword because it seems Nazi George over there didn’t get the memo about the new rules.”
“It’s not funny Dean,” Sam chided him. “You didn't even have a gun on you. Were you going to defend yourself with that?” Sam indicated the hunting knife that Dean was tucking back into his boot.
“You know bouncers tend to call the police if they suspect you’re packing,” Dean shrugged. “Besides, I had every thing I needed in the Impala.”
Sam scowled at him. He was unwilling to let it go. “Except your sword. You could have been killed.”
“He still will be killed in due time.” George had moved closer. Taking in the scene he shook his head. “Forgot your sword; my how careless.” Locking eyes with Duncan, he added dismissively. “Is he your student? Not a very good teacher.”
“Get lost asshole,” Dean growled.
“Still the coward. Do you think the appearance of your friends negates our challenge?” He chuckled, “You are a new one.”
“Look you don’t have to do this.” Duncan the peacemaker had entered the conversation. “The Game is evil. We were being manipulated into killing each other. We …”
The man’s chilling laughter cut off the rest of Duncan’s explanation. “Your student tried the same weak tactics. How have you cowards survived so long, spewing these ridiculous fairy tales?”
“I’m Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod and I am no coward.” The cold commanding tone had returned to Duncan’s voice
“Well, Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod,” he mocked. “I am George Mueller and I have no interest in your silly philosophies. In a thousand years I have never walked away from a challenge. Now, move aside. The youngling and I have unfinished business.”
Duncan started to respond when Dean stopped him with a light grip on his shoulder. “It’s okay, Mac. I can take this pansy. I have to take my first head sometime, right?” He shot Mac a lighthearted grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.”
Through this exchange, Chloe been standing unobtrusively off to the side. As Dean professed his intent to kill Mueller, he saw her eyes widened in a way that made it clear she was re-assessing her opinions of them in that serial killer kind of way.
“Sam,” Duncan's eyes cut over to Chloe.
Chloe watched as Duncan glanced meaningfully at Sam. She guessed that the plan was to get rid of the nosy reporter.
“Great,” She muttered with a rueful shake of her head as she slowly backed away from them all. “Why is it that Papa Sullivan's little girl always falls in with nut-jobs and serial killers?” She wasn’t going to let Sam take her anywhere, now.
She glanced around the parking lot warily. The bar wasn’t to far away maybe she could make the run for it before one of them stopped her. There was safety inside. Then she could phone the police for help or find some way to contact Clark.
“She doesn’t know what we are; how delightful,” the blonde guy with the German accent looked at her in a way that made her skin crawl.
We? Her eyes cut over to Dean. Given that over the years she had been menaced by everything from heat-sucking vampires to telekinetic, chainsaw-wielding maniacs, she wasn't really sure what she was up against. “Okay, I give. What are you, Dean? Meta human? Alien from another planet? Garden variety whack-job?”
Dean moved beside her. His stance was protective, rather than menacing. “Just the man of your dreams, baby.” The joking tone of his voice could not hide the anger in his eyes as he stared at George.
“I feel badly that I will have to kill you in front of your woman. But as in the old days I will claim her as my own.”
“And that would be a big ew.” Chloe shook her head as shiver crawled down her spine.
“Seconded,” Dean muttered. “Chloe, you mind getting back out of the way? I'd hate to get this guy's blood on your shoes.”
Chloe quirked an eyebrow at Dean as he moved between her and the German, which also effectively trapped her between Sam and Duncan. She thought of pulling out the .38 she had strapped in securely under her arm, forcing them to let her retreat into the bar but she knew that at least two of them were armed and they were all bigger. She had no desire to shoot her way out of their company. She might have fallen in with nut-jobs, but she didn't want to kill them.
Dean frowned down at Chloe. Judging by the way she was eying the parking lot, she was definitely thinking of escape. Great. She waits until now to grow a brain, he scowled. The problem was, now she knew just enough to be dangerous. And there was no time to tell her the rest. If she ran off, screaming at the top of her lungs, they'd draw a hell of a lot of unwanted attention to their little duel.
The irony of all of it was, when he didn't want her around, she was right there. When he needed her to behave herself, she was ready to bolt.
Dean glanced up to Duncan for guidance, but the older immortal was delivering his own challenge to the Aryan. “You go through me first.”
“No Highlander, I want the hothead. Our challenge has already begun and you are interfering.”
“Then, I’ll be waiting for you. You won’t live five minutes after you’ve taken his head.”
Muller huffed his disagreement, “I beg to differ. I will be recovered in time.”
“Don’t count on it.”
“Hey guys,” Dean interrupted. “Not dead yet. Also Mac, I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
Duncan blinked. He shook his head, and frowned in contrition. “Dean, no I… sorry…”
Dean held up a hand to stop Duncan’s apology, “I get it. Standard smack talk.” Turning to his opponent Dean said, “okay, you got me. Where to?”
George gestured across the street, “I think one of those lovely warehouses will be ideal.”
Dean was about to nod in agreement, when Sam spoke up. “Please Dean. You don’t have to do this. Fighting each other; it’s what the demons want. This is not right.”
“Got to, Sammy. Guy called me a coward. I don’t run.”
“Who cares, let’s just go,” Sam was begging now. He looked to Duncan with a pleading expression. “Mac, tell him not to do this.”
“This is what we do.” Duncan sighed. “It’s going to take awhile before everyone’s on board. Some of them may never be. The best thing we can do is take this guy out.”
Sam shook his head stubbornly. He moved in front of his brother to stop him from following the Immortal. “The Game is a farce. It has no real purpose except to set you against each other. You don’t have to do this.”
Sam and Dean stood facing each other, sharing a silent conversation. Finally Dean spoke, “I know, Bitch”
“Jerk” Sam’s voice was full of quiet desperation.
********************
The German headed for the warehouses. Duncan and Sam were right behind him but Dean waited, wanting to make sure Chloe was coming with them.
“Chloe,” Dean moved, grabbed her and guided her toward the street, “Please, you have to come with us but stay close to Sam.”
Chloe looked unsure but let him lead her. If it had been any other woman, she probably would have bolted back when the first metaphorical rattling of swords started. She had told Sam about some of the freaky shit she’d seen in her life. If he could just prod her natural curiosities to keep her from running for safety until after the duel, then maybe they’d have a chance to explain everything to her.
Suddenly, she stopped the fear winning again. She shook her head. “Not moving until you give me a good reason, Dean” She wasn’t prepared to walk into an abandoned warehouse with what amounted to four strange -- emphasis on the strange -- men. She may have traveled in the Impala for two days but she really didn’t know the three of them all that well.
“Look,” He pleaded trying to make her understand. “I don’t have time for your questions. You have to trust me. You and Sam are in the most danger here. You two have to stick together. I’m sure you can get my brother to explain everything later.”
“Because you have this overwhelming need to participate in a combat to the death?” She shook her head. “Sorry Dean, but I’m going to need just little bit more”
Switching gears, Dean whirled to loom over her, “Can’t you shut up and do what you’re asked to for one minute?”
She looked up at him, quirky smile on her face, “No, I can’t. Not when you’re about to do some stupid caveman like ritual that makes….”
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Dean growled as he grabbed her and then without hesitation kissed her. Her fists beat against his chest, like the fluttering of some tiny bird, before uncurling. She flattened her palms against his chest, and slid them up to circle his neck.
Chloe’s eyes remained closed as Dean pulled away. When she opened them she was looking up into his green eyes, speechless.
“So, now we know how to shut you up. I’ll have to remember that.”
Chloe’s eyes grew dark and she slapped him.
“What?” He grinned at her. “I could be walking to my death here. You can’t grant the possibly, dying man a last kiss? Besides, I could tell that you liked it. How about another?”
She scowled at him. “Dean Winchester, I wouldn’t kiss you again if you were the last man on earth.”
“Well, it’s always a possibility,” he smirked.
Chloe looked at him sideways. He could practically see the question on her lips when they heard Duncan yelling for them to hurry up. Dean led her into the warehouse. He had effectively thrown her off balance enough to win the argument. He deposited her next to Sam.
“Head in the Game, Dean,” Duncan commanded. “Sam, you contain Chloe.”
She made to protest but Mac held up a finger, “Behave or I swear I’ll lock you in the trunk of Dean's car. You shouldn’t be here …either of you,” he gave Sam a pointed look.
Sam pulled Chloe beside him, “We’ll behave.” He promised for both of them.
The German was standing in the center of the empty space swinging his sword in preparation. He waited until he had their attention. “It has been a long time since I’ve had an audience. I will do my best to make it entertaining.”
Dean tossed his leather jacket at Sam and went to meet the challenge with sword in hand.
****************
The sound of swords meeting reverberated through the empty warehouse. George had attacked first but Dean had easily parried. The deadly dance moved around the warehouse floor. Both used the pillars that held up the second floor to their advantage. Dean had moved on the offensive driving George back.
Duncan watched with sadness. It was apparent to him after only a few moments that Dean was over matched. George only appeared to give ground. He maneuvered easily away from any attacks and held Dean almost at arms length while seemingly allowing himself to be backed into the wall. Duncan recognized the tactic. George was toying with Dean.
Dean was in a rhythm and was keeping up admirably but Duncan knew that they hadn’t seen the best of what George could offer. He glanced at Sam and Chloe; they were taken in by the assault Dean was handing out. To the untrained eye, it looked like Dean was winning.
Duncan watched as the tables turned. George had grown tired of playing with his prey. And like a cat grown bored with a mouse, he went in for the kill. Suddenly Dean was on the defensive. Duncan could tell that Dean had been fooled. It wasn’t his fault, George was good. Duncan blamed himself. He hadn’t schooled the young hunter in this kind of tactic. He had been so impressed with Dean’s natural talent and he’d hoped that soon the Game would be gone, that Duncan had failed him. He berated himself for not doing more to prepare Dean.
In the center of the room the duel was drawing to a close. George had bloodied Dean’s sword arm. Injured, Dean swung his sword too wide and George plunged his blade deep into Dean’s gut. Gasping Dean dropped to his knees, as his sword slipped from his hand.
“No,” Sam shouted as he watched his brother fall. He still held the machete and he moved to join the fight.
Duncan grabbed him and easily knocked the weapon from Sam’s hand. “You can’t; he’ll kill you too.”
Sam struggled against Duncan. Duncan hugged him tight and even Sam’s larger size was no match for Duncan’s iron grip.
Across the warehouse, George’s creepy laugh filled the air. “Alas, too young to be much of a challenge. I hope your mentor provides more of a test.” He looked toward Duncan who was too busy trying to stop Sam to hear the taunt.
Dean looked up at his executioner and tried to respond but he couldn’t make the sound come out. He kneeled there with both hands clutching his midsection barely holding onto consciousness.
George’s sword had just reached the apex of its swing when the shot rang out. George looked down to see the redness spreading across his chest. Then he was on his knees facing Dean.
Instinctively, Dean reached for his sword. He used the weapon to regain his footing and then he swung for the fences as he took George’s head.
Dean dropped his sword, turned and began to stagger back toward his friends when the Quickening hit. The force of it sent him down on his knees again.
Chloe and Sam were mesmerized by the light show. Sam wanted go to Dean but Duncan indicated he should wait. “Holy crap, Mac. What the hell is that?”
“That is why others will always come for us. It’s the Quickening and many Immortals are addicted to the rush they receive from it. It is the essence of who we are.”
Once the pyrotechnics ceased, Sam ran to help his brother to his feet. Sam felt for the stomach wound as Dean batted his hand away. “It’s healed.” Sam observed with awe.
Dean smile at his little brother “Hey man, thanks for shooting that bastard.”
“It wasn’t me Dean, though I wish it had been.” Dean looked to where Chloe and Duncan stood. She still held the .38 in her hand.
“Oh, you’ve got be friggin’ kidding me?”
“Okay, someone better explain to me what the hell is going on,” Chloe said. Her face was twisted in a mask of anger. “Because not only have I had it up to here with secrets, swords, freaky light shows, and talk of Immortality, but I just shot a man, and I'm not even in Reno.”
Before Dean could retort, Sam scooped Chloe up in a twirling hug. “Thank you.” He spun her around until her anger seemed to break. She gave into the tension and released it with him. Soon they were both laughing hysterically.
He set her down on her feet. She regained her balance shook her head, and looked pointedly at Dean.
“Okay, I'm calmer now. I get that you have secrets. And I get the fact that, being a reporter, I'm probably the last person you guys want to talk to. But please guys, I need to know. Totally off the record. What are you?”
Dean stood meeting her gaze with equal intensity as a slow smirk lifted the corners of his mouth. “The man of your dreams, baby.”