Disclaimer: Supernatural and all related materials do not belong to me.
A/N: If you haven't read The Boogeyman, Race to Kill, The Burning Family, From the Ashes, Werewolf Territory, or Next Time you should read them before reading this fic. They all are part of the series I am writing. If you go to my profile now, you'll find them. But if you have read those read on then review. Afterwards I strongly suggest reading Posinchik88's fics.
Viva Las Vegas
Chapter One
February 1st 2007, Raining Cloud's Hunter's Resort, Montana
When they returned to the Resort the Winchester Brothers and the Daemon Sisters fell into a comfortable pattern. Autumn called John Winchester and filled him in on what she'd found and he had her overnight him a copy of the couple dozen ways to destroy a demon. Athena pulled on her shortest skirt and started working in the Resort's bar to fill in her time between hunts. Dean made a killing hustling pool and playing poker, while the more studious pair, Autumn and Sam, kept their noses in books and pressed against computer screens either looking for their next hunt or working on ways to track and kill the Demon.
Athena Daemon was a tall blonde, with bright eyes that changed seamlessly from clear blue to questioning green, she had long legs that Dean said 'just wouldn't quit', and a way of smirking that made the hunters, young and old, that passed through the bar go wild. She pulled in good tips and if she lingered and flirted she'd even get tips from men who weren't her costumers. Just shy of her twenty-fifth birthday, she was on top of the world.
Her sister Autumn had no interest in impressing any guy that wasn't Dean Winchester, or a mark. She'd lost most her hair in a fire back in November and though it was growing back the auburn locks seemed to be stuck at the length somewhere between too short to do anything with and long enough for a decent hairstyle. Autumn had hazel eyes that constantly soaked up the details of everything storing them away for future use. She carried a lot of emotional baggage but was finally settling into a normal life, at least as normal as a hunter can expect.
Sam Winchester was a puppy dog. He could get most anything he desired with his patented puppy eyes and a slightly quivering lip. But despite his too cute for words looks, he fell just short of a genius. A few years before he'd sought a normal life away from hunting but a dear demonic friend had different plans and slaying his girlfriend threw him back into the game. Now, a year later, he found himself enjoying the hunts, and life in general. He had a roof over his head and a soft bed. He was part of a family for the first time in a long time and that meant the world.
Dean was the groups self-appointed protector. He was a smart ass, womanizer, and proud of it. He lived for the sole purpose of taking care of his little brother and worrying about his father, killing every evil son of a bitch he came across was just a perk. Now that he was starting to develop feelings, and unwittingly putting down roots he was scared to death. But he had Autumn to lean on, as long as their younger siblings didn't see the blunt force of their union.
Athena dropped onto the couch and kicked off a pair of six-inch heels. She tried to tug down her little black dress to a modest position but failed miserably. Autumn handed her younger sister a cup of coffee slumping back into the arm chair and plucking up her laptop. Sam had a head cold and retired early, while Dean was still back at the bar finishing up another hand of poker.
"How was your night?" Autumn ventured setting her fingers to work typing her latest installment of the children's book series that funded her lifestyle.
"Long," Athena moaned before taking a drag from her mug. "I think if one more guy slapped my ass Dean was going to rip their arms out of socket." Autumn giggled at the image this painted in her mind. "Yea, real funny. He's scaring away money."
"I thought this was just to pass the time." Autumn reminded her sister. Athena shrugged and nestled deeper into the couch.
"I heard something interesting tonight." Autumn looked away from the faint glow of her screen to meet her sister's gaze.
"That would be?"
"There's a hunt in Vegas." The foursome had managed a few hunts since they'd assisted Will Raining in early January. But nothing that really got the heart racing and it left them all feeling a little groggy.
"What kind of hunt?" Autumn asked hoping for something big and bad.
"Newly weds are getting killed in a recently reopened hotel." Athena's eyelids sagged and she yawned. "Sounds like fun. But no one has taken the case because they don't have a newlywed-ish couple as a partner."
"Sis, go to bed." Autumn instructed her sister going back to her keyboard.
"But I'm not sleepy." Athena whined teasingly.
"I didn't ask for sass." Autumn said taking on her role of big sister.
Athena rocked herself to her feet and head back for the bedrooms. Autumn knew her sister would stop and talk with Sam before going to bed. Even if he had been asleep a few minutes ago, as soon as she came in he woke up. Autumn was waiting up on Dean. She didn't like going to bed when members of the household were still out. Dean finally came in around two in the morning, and roused the older Daemon from her sleep with a gentle kiss. Autumn had fallen asleep chin resting on her chest and laptop barely balancing on her knees. She managed a glare.
"You're awful late."
"Sorry, I know." he hung his head and she instantaneously forgave him. Hard to stay mad at a person who just has to exist to make your day. "Teenie tell you about Vegas?" he asked sitting on the coffee table in front of her.
"Tables are for glasses, not big asses." she chided and he moved to sit on the arm of her chair.
"Did she?" he asked again.
"Yea, she mentioned it." Autumn smiled at his childlike enthusiasm.
"We're going." he said with a sense of finality.
"Sammy's still sick." she reminded him. Dean looked torn for all of three seconds before shrugging.
"He'll be fine. Come on we've not been on a real hunt in forever."
"You are just an over grown four year old you know it?" Dean smirked, closed Autumn's computer and sat it on the table before sliding into her lap.
"Would a four year old do this?" he asked claiming her lips for his own. When he finished his demonstration she giggled.
"No, I hope not."
"Then would you like to change your statement?" Now it was a game.
"No, I wouldn't." she teased and again he tried to prove his point. He was more forceful about it this time and Autumn wished, not for the first time, that Sam and Athena were somewhere else.
"How about now?" he asked coming up for air. Autumn gave him a quick kiss and shook her head.
"No, but you try that again we might have a few things to explain in the morning." Dean gave her a growl bobbing his brow in a comical way that made Autumn laugh.
"Sam and Athena know all about the birds and the bees." he almost begged. Autumn sighed and shook her head.
"Sorry, buddy." Dean rolled his eyes squeezed himself down next to Autumn and managed to tug her into his lap.
"You're impossible." He told her, and she snapped at him, like a dog jumping for a treat.
"Don't I know it."
"We can go to Vegas though, right?" he asked relishing having her so close.
"Whatever you want." she laid her head on his shoulder and played with the amulet around his neck.
"Now, I know that isn't true." he groaned and for a blood chilling moment sounded like his father.
"You'll get that too, I just don't know when."
"In the mean time, I'm beat." he yawned. With his hopes put off for the time being the late hour registered.
"Then go to bed." Autumn said starting to climb from her perch.
"No, go grab a blanket and I'll add more wood on the fire. Then meet me on the couch."
With another kiss Autumn obeyed. They would sleep curled together on the couch with nothing between them except cotton and wake early to sneak into their beds. They were well practiced at this having done it several times before. By the time Autumn returned with the blankets Dean was already slumped down in the overstuffed couch fast asleep. She smiled at the sight of the not so innocent hunter looking so angelic. For half a moment she thought of grabbing her camera just to record this rare event forever, but decided against it when his eyelids fluttered open and he reached for her. She didn't waste any time in wrapping herself up in him and draping the blanket over their bodies.
"Babe." a gentle voice whispered in Autumn's ear causing the little curls of hair that grew in the surrounding area to tickle her.
"Hmm?" she didn't want to wake up. Didn't want to leave the embrace of her protector.
"They'll be up soon, we over slept." he still whispered directly in her ear and to keep herself from laughing she rolled over on her belly placing herself on his chest and looked at him.
"Do we have to?" she whined.
"Do you want them to know?" he asked. With a sigh she bent down and kissed him taking in his scent and taste as if she may never get to do this again.
"Alright." she slid off of him to the floor sat there for a moment.
"Take John out before he pisses on something and I'll fold the blanket." Dean instructed nodding toward the annoyance that roused him. John, Autumn's large rottweiler, was bouncing between the couch and the door crying. Something his namesake would never do, Autumn thought.
"Put it on the foot of my bed when you're done." Autumn said tugging on her shoes and coat.
Snow still clung to everything though in increasingly thinner layers. The sun was already warm and bright caressing the bodies of anyone who removed themselves from their cozy beds to begin their daily regiment at this hour. John wasn't the only dog at Raining Cloud's Hunter's Resort, several hunters had a various collection of pets. There were dogs, raccoons, a couple of cats, though Autumn didn't know how they traveled with the evil things, and even the occasional monkey. The raccoons and monkeys severed a common purpose of being able to pick a pocket and climb to great heights. Autumn was greeted with teasing words, nods, and a few tips of a hat. She was well known at the Resort, as her sister had once dated the owner's brother, and she now traveled with the living legends the Winchester Boys.
"Mornin' Miss Autty." Duck, a common drunk called as she passed him leaning over the railing of his porch. "How goes the hunt?"
"It goes." she smiled her thanks for the thought. Duck had the idea that life was just one big hunt, you have to do a lot of research, trial and error, and fighting and end the end you finally get your ass kicked and the games over.
"Don't go into the Big House today, Will's on a tirade." he warned. Autumn let John wander off up ahead, no one would mess with him, and stopped to converse a little longer.
"What's today's problem?" she asked.
"Who knows, personally I think the boy just needs to get laid then find a good hunt. Ain't used to sittin' in one place that one."
"Why don't you tell him that?" Duck made a face showing his distaste with the idea.
"Mostly because I like my head on my shoulders and not up my ass." he chuckled.
"He'll listen to you, though." she reminded him. Duck was like an old uncle to most the younger hunters, he'd hunted with some of the bests and hand unbelievable stories to tell. He might be a drunk but he had respect.
"So he listens to me and shows up lookin' for that prudy baby sister of yours and a booty call." Autumn shrugged.
"He can get a good look for free now a days."
"Yea," Duck shook his head. "I noticed that in the bar last night. You girls should be thankful to have that Dean fella on your side. Or Athena may not make it back to the cabin most nights. That man cuts a mean deck of cards too."
"I think so." she agreed.
"You ought not let that one get too far." he advised. "Now got catch that hound before he gives some the fright." Autumn nodded her good-byes and left.
Sam and Athena were in the kitchen speaking in low tones and cooking breakfast when she returned from her walk. The mail was tucked under her arm and she dropped it on the table as she passed by on her way to the coffee pot. The pair shut up as soon as she was with in earshot and waited until she was out of the room to continue their conversation. Autumn raised a questioning brow to Dean who was once again adding to the fire.
"Don't ask." was all the more he could offer.
"I hear you've been watching out for Teenie?" Dean dropped the final log in none too gentle and sparks flew up.
"She's not doing it herself." he shrugged looking uncomfortable. Autumn smiled.
"You realize she's doing the same thing those girls you like to hit on so much do, right?"
"Those girls aren't our Athena, though."
"I know, Daddy Dean. Now go get your ass in the shower before breakfast." He started to protest but she just pointed in the direction of the bathroom and he left tail tucked between his legs.
"You could join me." he managed with a grin when he passed her.
"In your dreams."
"You promised." he reminded her of the night before. Autumn rolled her eyes and lounged back into the arm chair.
Dean returned as Sam and Athena were sliding four plates of eggs, bacon, and pancakes on to the table. John was in the corner with his own bowl of chow, that Sam had 'snuck' a few strips of bacon into. The younger pair watched Dean and Autumn for a moment as they sat down and started eating. As soon as both their mouths were full Sam started.
"Athena told me about the hunt in Vegas. We're going." he said sternly.
"Yea, and?" Dean asked. "Autumn and I already discussed that last night."
"What?" Athena looked from her sister to Dean and back. "You talk to him?"
"No we just paw at each other." Autumn joked.
"Well, yea we know that. But the two of you discussed a hunt with out us?" Sam asked sounding hurt.
"Damn it, Sammy. It's not like we were gonna head out on our own. You two were in bed already." Dean said through a mouth full of eggs.
"I'm astounded by your table manners." Athena said making a point of not looking at Dean.
"Bite me." he swallowed.
"You probably taste like skank."
"Children." Autumn butted in.
"What if we wanted to take this case alone?" Sam asked. Autumn and Dean exchanged shocked looks.
"You're not." Dean said trying to close off the conversation.
"Why not?" Athena asked when Sam back down.
"Because I said so."
"Like that matters."
"I'm the oldest and what I say goes." Dean told them with finality.
"Nuh uh. I did the math." Sam grinned. "Autumn's older by a month and a half." Dean glanced at Autumn who had her eyes rolled in the back of her head trying to add up their birthdays.
"Well, that don't matter because she agrees with whatever I say."
"Sam's right, I am older." Autumn said coming out of her trance. "Wait!" Dean's words sank in. "What makes you think I agree with everything you say?"
"Because."
"Mom and Dad are going to have a fight." Athena said leaning over to Sam and pretending to whisper.
"Mom please don't fight with Dad, it's not his fault he's a moron." Sam begged. Autumn broke away from her stare down with Dean to look at the younger two.
"How about Dean and I work the case and you two work the case on your own." Dean's mouth fell open as he watched his own rule turn against him. "But you have to keep us updated. This isn't a clean cut."
"Seriously?" Athena stared at her sister.
"You two want to hunt together do it. You have my blessing." she sent Dean a pointed look. "Right, Dork?"
"Yea, what the oldest says goes."
