Title: Brother Knows Best - Immortal!Uncle Dean Universe

Fandom: Supernatural & Highlander:
Characters: JD and Mule WInchester, Dean WInchester

Summary: JD convinces Mule that they should go hunting - Alone.

Brother Knows Best

Mule couldn't believe he'd let JD talk him into this hunt. Then again, he'd never been able to resist his brother's plotting even when they were kids.

"One last hunt before you settle down," JD had begged.

Mule was getting married next weekend and he figured that this was JD's idea of a bachelor party. Though he would have preferred strippers and beer. Not that he like that kind of party, but at least he wouldn't be risking his life for the adrenaline rush.

So he'd been doubly surprised when JD had pulled up in his 1968 midnight blue Impala, a graduation gift from Uncle Dean, without any of the uncles in tow. He thought JD had been kidding when he'd said it was going to be just the two of them

"No back-up?"

"Nope. Just you and me, bro," JD replied, a broad shit-eating grin on his face as he exited the car. He grabbed Mule's duffel and tossed it in the back seat.

"I don't know, JD. Uncle Dean doesn't like it when you hunt without an Immortal riding shotgun."

"Chill, dude. I've been doing this for ten years. I think I can protect your skinny neck. Now get in the car."

Mule hesitated; recognizing one of JD's bad ideas when he heard it. "You don't think - I mean - How dangerous is this hunt?" he sputtered. Mule had never been much for hunting, that was JD's life, and he wasn't comfortable with the idea of going it alone with only his crazy brother for back-up.

Plus, JD hadn't told him anything about the hunt only that it was close by. He was insistent that they needed a little brother time before Lisa had him completely 'whipped' - JD's word not his. Mule didn't think he was whipped – well, not much – and besides he didn't mind it if he was. Guess that was part of being in love.

"Trust me, dude. This is gonna be great," JD said, waving off any further protests.

"I've heard that before," Mule said resignedly and wondered, not for the first time, why he could never say no to JD. In the end, he knew he just wanted to spend time with his brother before marriage sent him down a different road from JD. And of course his big brother's idea of a bonding moment always included shotguns and pyrotechnics.

"And I'm always right. Right?" JD grinned and clapped him on the back.

Mule chuckled. "Do you even remember our childhood?"
****************************************

******

They were barely out of town when JD suddenly pulled off the road.

"Shit!"

"What?" Mule asked. "What's wrong?"

"I have to check something in the trunk," JD said with out elaboration. "Stay here."

Mule watched as JD stormed out of the car, muttering to himself. He couldn't imagine what could have gotten his brother so agitated.

Five minutes later, JD was back in the car and cursing a blue streak. "I told Uncle Dean if he borrowed my stuff he was supposed to put it back. He knew we were heading out this weekend. " JD slammed the steering wheel. "Damn it!" And then, as if realizing he might have hurt his baby, he added a quick apology to the car.

Mule looked sideways at his brother. "You share gear with Uncle Dean?"

"Don't worry about it, Mule. We head back, I get my gear, kick UD's ass and we're back on the road – half hour tops."

"Can't we just go without whatever it was?"

JD stared at him like he'd suggested going to a strip club without any singles.

"Fine," Mule said throwing his hands up. "Let's go back." His gut was telling him that once back in town they ought to forget the whole thing. It was not an auspicious beginning to their first solo hunt.

***********************************************
JD pulled his Impala to the curb behind Uncle Dean's.

"This is Uncle Duncan's place," Mule observed. "How did you know he was here?"

JD hesitated just enough for Mule to get suspicious. "He's always here on the weekends."

"Riight," Mule drawled out, "because Uncle Dean has a regular schedule that he shares with you."

"Just get out of the car," JD deflected. "I need to get the keys from UD and get my stuff out of his trunk."

"'Sokay, I'll wait here."

"And miss me messing with our uncle?" JD said as he rounded the car to open the door for Mule. "Let's go." He grabbed Mule's arm and pulled him from the car.

Mule yanked his arm away. "I'm coming," he snapped. "Now, I'm looking forward to watching you get your ass kicked when you say something stupid to Uncle Dean."

They headed to the front door. Mule turned when he noticed his brother lagging behind. "Hurry up. This was your idea."

JD had a huge grin on his face, and when Mule looked back at the front door, it was open and two very well endowed blondes in police uniforms were eying him like he was covered in chocolate. He whirled on his brother. "You didn't?"

"Oh yes he did," came Dean's voice as he stepped between the blondes, putting one arm around each of the women's narrow waists.

Mule looked from one relative to the other and shook his head. "What happened to 'let's go on a hunt just the two of us'? The whole quality time thing?"

"I can't believe you actually bought that," JD laughed as he pushed his brother through the door way.

"Strippers and beer is quality time," Dean said as he encouraged the women to transfer their affections to the younger Winchester.

Mule laughed. "Of course it is. What was I thinking?" He waved off the women, pointing them toward his brother and his uncle. "I think I'll just stick to the beer."

JD held out his right hand to Dean as the stripper folded herself into his left side. "Pay up."

Dean grumbled but handed JD a twenty and then looked at his nephew. "You're Sam's kid alright. Good thing you're getting married or you'd never get laid."

"I take that as a compliment."

"You would. Now let's get this party started," Dean said as he dragged Mule into the living room where at least a dozen of his friends and relatives waited.

This was more like what he'd expected: rowdy friends, drunken debauchery. As the noise and well wishers descended on him, Mule glanced over at JD who smiled and gave him a thumbs up. Returning the gesture, Mule smiled at his big brother but found he couldn't help wishing that they'd gone on that hunt after all.