Dean and his dad are still not talking. It's a record for Dean because he usually caves right after fighting with his dad and apologizes even if he wasn't at fault. He doesn't like it when his dad's mad at him, hasn't since he almost cost Sam his life by being selfish, but this time he's not giving in. His dad's going to be the one who apologizes.

So, Dean's resigned himself to never speaking to his dad again. The earth would sooner spin backwards than John Winchester would ever utter any words that related to him being contrite or remorseful.

Where's Superman when you need him? Dean needs to ask a favor of the Last Son of Krypton. Or his cousin. Or even Zod. Hell, he'd ask Krypto, the damned super dog. He just needs one favor from them. They're heroes, save for Zod, there's no way they'd say no, right? All he needs is a miracle and since he believes God isn't real, he's more than willing to believe in aliens to make the impossible happen.

The ship pitched sickeningly to the left and it had Dean fighting to keep his breakfast down. Leave it to dad to book a trip without checking the weather first. It's Maine all over again.

When Sam was barely a teenager, Dad took them there in the dead of winter. First it would rain, then the rain would cool, and then it snowed for days and days and days. It was a miserable time for them. Having Sam and Dad cooped up in the same cabin was a hell Dean would never ever, ever do again. He'd rather risk frostbite walking to town that's twelve miles away than deal with those two hot heads for any time longer than a day.

The ship dipped so much Dean felt like he was on one of those carnival rides that has you walking on the ceiling, where everything is topsy-turvy and is just not right. That's what it feels like on the ship.

His dad is unbothered, of course. Guy was a Marine. This is probably a cake walk for him, bringing back good memories or something. Dean? He'd give anything to be on dry land right now.

The door opened, almost hitting Dean in the face when he pitched forward with the ship. Instead, he clipped it with his shoulder hard enough to leave a long ass bruise there that'll take a while to heal, which is bad because his dad has them going after a water sprite in Colorado.

His dad staggered into the room, hanging on the door to keep from being thrown either into the wall or onto the ceiling when the ship rocked back like a damn horse rearing, Dean's half tempted to yell out, "High ho, Silver!" but he thinks his dad wouldn't be amused. Tough shit. Dean's not in the mood to placate him. This is a silent war, dammit, and he has every intention of winning.

John pointed at Dean and crooked his finger to follow him. Dean's debates about ignoring him but it might be important, important enough for him to forego their silent war.

But not yet.

Dean glared at his dad and his dad glared right back. Dean's gonna win this one, he has more practice at being patient than his dad does.

3...2...1...

His dad huffed in annoyance. He teetered toward him and grabbed Dean by the arm and dragged him back through the door, up two levels, down a hallway, and up another flight of stairs to a hatch that led into the control room. Dean quirked an eyebrow at his dad, impressed. They don't have to go outside to reach the control room. Nice.

"Ah, Mr. Winchester, and son," the captain greeted them once they squeezed through the hatch. "I want you two here just in case the weather turns any worse."

His dad nodded while Dean gripped a control console tightly to keep from being sent crashing into the big ass window in front of them. He dry heaved and wished he was back on Oahu, pretending he never left or had that talk with Steve, at Sam's urging. He'd be home right now snuggled up against Steve with Danny and Grace over watching movies and having popcorn shared between them like they always do during movie night.

The entire ship shook so violently, Dean felt his bones rattle like he was on a vibrating bed the size of Alaska.

"I wanna go home," Dean moaned pitifully as his stomach threatened to revolt. The captain laughed while his dad's expression turned thunderous, face darker than the clouds outside. More foreboding than any portent Dean could ever imagine or come across, even if he lived to be a 100.

Dean's wish for home grew stronger as the ship seemed to go under for a terrifying second. He swore he saw a startled whale stare at them in astonishment when the water went over them.

His feet left the deck and a scream tore out of his throat. "Dad!"

The ship dropped like a stone and another scream escaped and he was sent forward towards the front window but a strong pair of arms wrapped themselves around his waist, pulling him close when another wave hit. His dad pinned him against the wall, body braced so Dean wouldn't go flying out the window to actually swim with the fishes.

He crashed into his dad numerous times but he never felt safer.

Dean closed his eyes hugged his dad tightly, knowing his dad wouldn't let anything happen to him. The sound of his dad's heart beating steady acted like a lullaby for Dean and he found himself in a light doze, the noise outside settled into a hum that Dean could pretend was the Impala's engine, and every pitch and list was the road with all its nuances.

His dad's hand behind his head kept him from slamming back into the metal wall hard enough to break his head open like an egg. But it was his dad's steady heartbeat that soothed Dean's screaming nerves.

A particularly strong wave crashing into the window cracked it hard enough for it to spiderweb all across the front window bad enough to obscure their view. Dean let out a wail of terror, clinging tighter to his dad, who immediately started soothing him.

It brought back memories of a time when his dad was actually a dad and not a drill sergeant. He had a nightmare about a man with white eyes, no pupils, reaching out for him, blood dripping from its sharpened teeth. He screamed so loud he woke himself up and his parents. His dad was the first one through the door because his mom was pregnant with Sammy and couldn't move very fast, and Dean had launched himself into his dad's arms, seeking protection.

His dad brought him to their bed and he slept cuddled between them, safe from any monsters or nightmares for the rest of the night.

"Can we fly next time?" Dean asked, voice muffled, but he felt his dad's chest rumble with laughter.

"How about next time I check the weather before calling in a favor?" his dad suggested instead, aware of Dean's fear of flying. He hugged Dean tighter against his chest, pressing a kiss atop his son's head. "You'll be fine," he whispered. "The storm's starting to lighten up. That's why it's getting so bad. The storms about to break."

Dean responded by tightening his grip. He hasn't been this scared in a long, long time. It's the only reason Dean could think of why his dad's being so nice and dad-like to him.

"Just a few minutes more," his dad assured him.

And his dad was right, the storm still raged on, but it wasn't as turbulent as before. The sky lightened but still remained cloudy with light rain gently hitting the roof of the control room. The sound is almost musical, like piano chords being played expertly to bring to mind nostalgia.

"Well, that was certainly one of the worst storms I've been through," the captain admitted. He smiled at Dean kindly but Dean ended up burying his head into his dad's chest because that little bit of information did not calm him down at all.

His dad chuckled and untangled himself from Dean's limpet-like arms. He gave Dean a quick pat on the head before going outside to check for damage with the First Mate.

Dean felt a little abandoned by his dad but he slapped on a smile and shrugged sheepishly at the captain.

"Sorry for my freak out," Dean mumbled in embarrassment. He can't believe he screamed like a little kid for his daddy, and the captain saw the whole thing. Not his best moment, and now his dad knows just how much of a pussy he is. And he spoke first. His dad won their War of Silence. Great. Just great.

"Nothing to be sorry for, boy," the captain said with a hard voice, not liking how ashamed Dean is for a natural reaction to fear. "I was a half a second from screaming my head off too, especially when we went under that massive wave. Thought we were goners there for a second. Poseidon favored us and kept us from losing the engine or steering."

Dean's smile dropped and he looked down with a shudder.

"Fear is nothing to be ashamed of. It keeps you alive and it keeps you vigilant. Trying to be brave when you shouldn't is a death sentence, remember that," the captain told Dean. He waited for Dean to look up to make his point before giving him a kind smile. Dean's answering smile was genuine. "How about you go check your room out to see if anything is broken."

"In other words, go away," Dean replied with a grin.

The captain shooed him away but slipped his captain's hat on Dean's head when he moved passed him. Dean couldn't help the boyish grin when the captain tapped the brim of the hat so it fell over his eyes. The little boy in him, the one he keeps jealousy protected, couldn't be happier with the little act of kindness.

"Thanks!"

The captain waved at Dean, smiling widely at the child-like enthusiasm. He has a feeling the boy never really had a childhood

He has a genuine captain's hat! Dean thought happily.

ALK

John had to get away from Dean but he didn't want Dean to think he's running away from him. His hands were shaking violently and his heart rate finally beat as fast as it wanted to since it no longer had to remain steady and calm for his son.

When Dean screamed his name in terror, paternal instincts took over and he found Dean safely in his arms without him even being aware of moving in the first place. He cradled his son close to his chest, wedging a hand between Dean's head and the metal wall behind him to keep him from getting a concussion or worse.

Dean clinging to him for safety brought back memories of a happier time. He may have relished in having his son come to him for protection just a little bit. His oldest hasn't done that since Mary died.

But as soon as the moment passed, John had to get away or he'd apologize and send Dean back to Hawaii with McGarrett. He can't have that. McGarrett has proven that he cannot be trusted with his son or his son's heart, and if it was up to him, John'd go back to Hawaii and beat the ever loving crap out of that stupid Frog Man.

He needs to make a phone call anyway. Adria Linas hasn't called yet to confirm the death of the shapeshifter. If it was anyone else, he'd be worried, but he's heard good things about Linas, of her being quite competent.

Then again, she's been retired for almost a decade.

John dialed Linas's and waited for her to pick up.

"What?"

John grinned. "It's John Winchester."

"I repeat: What?"

"You kill that thing yet?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because your boy's boyfriend showed up and the tiny blond stopped me."

Shit. "Well, fuck."

Linas gave a throaty chuckle over the line. "The boyfriend was more than happy to let me kill it but the tiny blond fought and said your boy would want it alive. They took it back to Oahu. You're on your own, Winchester." John swore and went to hang up but Linas stopped him. "Don't tell your boy I was gonna kill his pet. I like him."

"I won't," John promised distractedly.

"Besides, I have a feeling your boy's pet will soon be taken care of. The boyfriend might just take of it for us."

Now that's a bit of good news. Maybe McGarrett might be worthy of his son after all.

John hung up before he could voice the thought.

No, if Steve McGarrett really was worthy of Dean, he'd be coming to find him. Unlike Dean, who - even though he would never admit it - left a trail a mile long for the SEAL to come find him, and John has no intention of having Frog Man track them down. No. He already blew his chance with his son. McGarrett doesn't get a second chance.

No one gets a second chance with his boys. No one. Except for him. He gets unlimited chances concerning his boys and their ever bottomless wells of forgiveness. But no one else.

"Dad?" He heard Dean call his name hesitantly, echoes of a scared little boy still lingering in his voice. The protective instincts he had just managed to calm down fired back up at the tone, and he found himself making his way to Dean, the urge to make sure he's safe and okay, is overwhelming. An instinct so ancient and so inherent, John had no way, nor the desire, to fight it.

"I'm here," John told him. "I'm coming."

He rounded the corner to see Dean leaning against the far wall, the captain's hat atop his head, and his face still too pale for John's liking. The smile Dean sent him though, it felt like seeing the sun for the first time in months.

"Hey," John said softly. He stopped just shy of Dean, unsure how his son's feeling at the moment. Dean threw himself into John's arms, adrenaline making his body shake like a leaf in the wind.

"It's okay," John soothed. "It's over. We're fine. You're fine."

He relished in it for as long as Dean'll let him. Once Dean collected himself, he'd pull away and pretend nothing happened. But until then, he's going to enjoy this rare moment.

Dean sniffled. "I want to go home."

John's heart squeezed and his chest hurt. He knows Dean isn't talking about the Impala or even Lawrence, he's talking about McGarrett and his life on that damnedable island. He also knows that if Dean had the power, he'd make John and Sam move to Oahu with him and McGarrett, and they'd live happily ever after forever and ever.

Who knew his oldest was the real dreamer and not Sammy like he thought.

Mary'd've love that. She'd've loved to move to Hawaii, it was one of her favorite fantasies to have while they worked hard to keep the roof over their heads. She used to wax poetry over the relaxed island life movies and TV shows like to film and show everyone.

"We are going home," John told him. "Pastor Jim said we could crash at his place for a while. How's that sound? That'll be home for a while. We'll even cajole Sam into joining us once school gets out."

Dean shook his head but didn't say anything just like John knew he would.

"We'll be home in a few days," he promised his oldest. "How about we go check out our room? I want to make sure none of weapons got damaged from the storm."

"Okay," Dean muttered and detached himself from John.

He did not think that through. He rather liked holding his son. The moment lasted longer than John thought it would though.

John lead the way to their room and they found it completely trashed. A quick check of their weapons showed only nicks but nothing damaging that could mess with the firing of the guns, and their knives and books were relatively okay. So, all in all, it wasn't that bad.

Dean shuddered at the remembered feeling of the ship dropping like a stone and his feet left the ground.

A gentle touch to his shoulder had Dean jerking back on instinct, only to find his dad staring at him with worried eyes. Now, he has two options: he could either pretend like nothing happened or he could do something very uncharacteristic like seeking comfort from his very stoic and manly father who likes to think showing any kind of concern or softness is weak. He might also think very lowly of Dean if he did want to be comforted by his dad.

"Dean," his dad started, expression unsure before solidifying into hardness. "Clean the room up. I'm going to check on the others."

Whiplash, that's what Dean's feeling. Emotional whiplash.

"I bet if I was Sam, you'd stay," Dean muttered to himself but John overheard, and froze before he closed the door behind him.

"I bet if I was Sam, you'd man the hell up and do as your told," John countered icily. Guilt swamped him yet again but he refused to look at Dean and see the damage he just inflicted upon his son. It was uncalled for. He'll be damned if he'll admit though.

"Yes, sir," came the dull reply.

John fought the paternal instinct to make things right between them, the father in him, the one buried deep inside, screamed at John for hurting Dean and for being such an asshole towards him. Dean always does as he's told, but ever since he went to Hawaii on that hunt, and consequently moved there, Dean's been standing up for himself; standing up against John for the way he treats him. Sam, too.

Is it such a bad thing for his son to grow up enough and not need John anymore to guide him?

He opened and closed his mouth a few times, an internal battle taken place in his mind. He closed the door behind him without looking at Dean.

I'm sorry.

Self-loathing, his old friend, made its presence known as John felt his heart get weighed down by his decision.

I'm so sorry, Dean.

Clearing his throat, John pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed Sam.

"Dad! Is Dean okay? Did you get him? Is he coming home?"

John swallowed thickly around the lump that appeared at his youngest's questions.

"Yeah. Yeah, I got him," John replied in a hard voice. Can't let Sam know just how much they're both hurting. "I need a favor, Sammy," he said and waited for Sam's reply.

"What - What do you need? Is it for Dean?"

"It's for Dean." Forgive me, son. "It's about McGarrett."

Mary would hate him for this. Hell, she would have hated him for dragging their boys into this mess. What's one more reason for her to hate him?

"He hurt him, Sam. He hurt Dean. He caught up to Dean and basically kicked him off the island, telling him to never come back. I found him at a rental property on Kauai nursing his broken heart. I tried to go after him and teach him a lesson, but Dean stopped me. You know how he is," John said, he grabbed on to the handrail and gripped it tight to keep his emotions in check.

"Dean won't let me get revenge, but since he thinks you're in Stanford far away..." he trailed off hoping Sam'd fill in the blanks all on his own.

Five minutes pass before, "I'll do it."

The hardness, the anger, in Sam's voice is what John had been hoping for. A pissed off, protective Sam is a dangerous creature that doesn't stop until he gets vengeance on whatever it is that hurt Dean. John should know, he's been on the receiving end for years. It'd be a nice change to see all that protective rage be used on someone else. McGarrett doesn't stand a chance. No amount of SEAL training will save him from Sam, not when it has to do with Dean. Sam is single-minded and relentless, and he's brutal.

"He's back on Oahu. I'd get here quick, Sam, the man also has a shapeshifter on his pay roll," he advised his youngest. Sam hung up and John knew he's already on his way.

John laid his head back on the cold, metal wall. It's eerily reminiscent of how his heart feels at the moment: cold and unfeeling.

Unyielding.

I'm so sorry, boys.