Unconditional Love

Part 7

John took a sip of his beer, watching Jo. "Your not fooling me girl." Jo looked up with her poker face on. Jo remembered this man, when she was a little girl she had a crush on him, thought he walked on water.

But she also remembered all the tears, all the hurts Dean and Sam had been through with him. Jo knew some of the reasons why Dean would never get to close to anyone and why Sam wanted to beat the shit of of John.

John's halo that Jo had always imagined he wore had lost some of the shine to her. Dean and Sam would always come first with her, she knew this man loved his boys. But his quest for justice had changed all three Winchesters for life.

She sat straight, ready for the fight to come. Jo had watched other men tremble in John's presence, but lucky for him she wasn't a man. And she didn't plan to make things easy on him. She looked him right in the eyes and said "I told them everything that mattered." "It's not necessary that you take this any further." Jo heard Sam nearly choke on his beer. Jo didn't take her eyes off John Winchester. She forced herself to stay calm. Who knew what he would do, especially if she showed weakness. "Mr. Winchester, I have a plan. I can take care of myself." Jo took a breath, as much as she was trying to stay in control she was about to lose it. John stood up. "Jo I made a promise and I intend to keep it."

Jo stood to, now angry. "At what cost?" "Are you prepared to take a chance?" John stayed quiet. He knew she needed vent. At John's lack of response Jo finally gave into all the emotions she was feeling.

Dean sat watching the exchange between Jo and his father. He didn't know what exactly was going on, but he had a feeling Jo was going swing on his dad. He had to smile because there were few men would even think about something like that. Damn he loved her. He turned his beer up waiting for shit to hit the fan.

John turned to walk away and said "you will be here in the morning Jo, don't make me track you down." "And yes that's an order and you will learn to obey me!"

Sam and Dean looked at each other in astonishment, WTF?

Jo was in front of John so fast. And then came the right hook.

Dean was up and out of his chair so fast it fell over. Dean got in between Jo and his father. Dean looked scared. "Dad, she's just upset." Dean's face was pleading with his father. Jo shoved Dean out of the way and faced John. "Go ahead!" "Do your worst!" "It will be mild to what will happen to the boys if you force me to come with you." "I'm a liability to them."

"But you know that, don't you." Jo turned looking a Dean and then back to John. "Haven't they been through enough." "I would rather die, than have them hurt because of me." "Maybe not today or tomorrow but I will end up be a weakness to them."

Sam spoke up. "Jo, that's not the truth." "Your one of the strongest parts of us."

John looking at Dean said "You are already a weakness to them and your not fully trained which makes it worse." John reached over an lifted Jo's chin. "Jo, you knew this could happen, you promised your father that you would finish your training with me." "Now I know things are bad right now, but this is the life of a hunter and their families." "You will hate me, I can promise you that, but I can also promise that you will be able to take care of yourself when it's over."

"Joanna, you leave now, and I will track you down." "And I will use every resource to keep you in line." "So unless you want my boys to suffer, then you will do as I say." Jo jerked her chin out of his grip and she stared into his eyes, realizing this man meant every cruel word he just said. Jo's face showed defeat. She closed her eyes and said.

"Your my legal guardian till I'm eighteen, but when that day comes, you and I will have a private conversation." "And you better pray that Dean and Sam don't get hurt because of this, because if I'm not dead, I will take it out on you." She opened her eyes they glittered as she spoke. Her mouth held a chilling smile. "And I will enjoy hurting you John Winchester, I would do any_thing for them." "Be careful how far you push."

And to the surprise of both of his sons John leaned forward, kissed Jo's forehead as said "I expect no less from you." Then he left them all staring after him. As the door clicked closed Dean let out the breath he had been holding.

Dean's mind racing "what the hell had just happened."

Jo stood her chest heaving. Sam started towards her but the look she gave him stopped him cold.

"I'm going for a ride, I'll be back by dinner time." "Sam please change the general's dressings for me."

Jo went to the fridge grabbed a six pack, stuffed it inside her pack. On the way out the door she grabbed her rifle and knife.

Dean watched her go out the door and down the stairs. He looked over at Sam.

"Dude, I'll stay go with her. Dad will kick your ass if you don't." Dean stayed put for a second turning to stare at the door his dad was behind.

"Be careful Sammy, I'll have my phone." "Anything looks wrong call me!"

Sam raised his voice "I'm not stupid Dean, I can handle this." "Now go, she doesn't need to be alone."

Dean nodded in agreement and headed out the door.

Jo had just got her horse saddled. She slid the rifle in place and stepped into the stirrup.

"Wait, I'm coming with you." Jo looked down at Dean. He had that look on his face. Jo cursed, she just wanted to be alone.

"I'll be right outside", she replied and trotted out of the barn.

A few minutes later Dean rode up to her. Jo couldn't look at him so she just nudged her horse forward building speed until they were in a full out run. Dean kept stride next to her. They slowed down when they got to the tree line. Neither of them spoke, they made their way through the trees finally coming to the stream. Jo turned her horse and followed the stream north, then broke across and came to stop in the small clearing. Jo was reluctant to dismount but she knew that today would be the day, she would have to get Dean Winchester out of her system for good. Because tomorrow life would change things for good.