It's in the Genes

Author: Cheryl W.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or any rights to Dark Angel or Supernatural, nor am I making any profit from this story.

Summary: Crossover with DA and Supernatural -AU– It's the Winchesters who break Alec from jail in Hello/Goodbye and then they start road tripping together. No slash.

Author's note: Spoilers for No Rest for the Wicked.

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Chapter 16

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From his vantage point in the abandoned house, Sam saw Dean disconnect his call with Alec and slip his phone back into his pocket, his face turned away from him, purposefully if he knew his brother. But, like he had told Dean, he knew him…could read Dean's mood by the set of his shoulders as easily as the play of emotions on his face. And what Dean's shoulders said now was…Sam tilted his head in concentration, confusion, uncertain if his brother was telegraphing relief or further tension.

Hating to think that Dean was feeling worse after talking to Alec, Sam hurriedly grabbed their bags and headed out the door to his brother's side…well to the other side of the Impala because Dean wouldn't tolerate him hovering. It didn't matter that Sam couldn't bear the separate of even a few yards from his brother, that he wanted to latch onto Dean's arm, heck would agree to hold his hand to keep him with him, to ensure he didn't lose Dean, not tonight. Not ever.

But Sam didn't want it to be about what he needed, didn't want to be selfish now. Wanted to give Dean..Well, maybe not what he needed because, Dean, he wasn't asking for that, not even with what was hanging over his head. No, all Sam could give Dean was what he would accept. So he pitched his voice into a casual tone. "You get a hold of Alec?" Tossing both of their bags in the backseat, he couldn't keep his gaze away from his brother's profile, had found that, even leaving Dean out of his sight… it hurt. 'I'm saving you, Dean. We're saving you. Alec and I and you're helping too, jerk. You're not leaving us.'

"Yeah," Dean shortly answered, tried to not give anything away by the reply.

But Sam had come to know Alec too, knew that his little brother wouldn't submissively follow Dean's order, wouldn't want to be safe when Dean wasn't…not anymore than he would. "And he told you where you could put your "You're staying out of it" speech, right?" he taunted, found a small smile turning up his lips, felt blessed when Dean's head came up and his brother looked at him over the Impala's roof.

"Yeah, he did," Dean admitted with a smile that mirrored Sam's. It was a small smile too but a real one even as he felt the added weight of Alec's life settle onto his shoulders. But being a little brother's keeper, it wasn't a burden, had always been a gift to him. Was still a gift, even if Sam didn't believe him anymore.

"So where is he meeting us?" Sam pressed, needing to know where his reinforcements were being positioned, how they could be utilized in his defensive strategizing should Dean's offensive attack fail.

"He'll be nearby. I said I would call him when we are about in New Harmony," Dean quietly supplied, heart beginning to beat in fear as the final countdown began, as he contemplated his brothers being hurt in this reckless, probably doomed mission. Worse, being killed. And then what would he do?! What did he have left to barter with?! Not his life…not even his soul. Would be right back where he was exactly a year ago: decimated by a loss of someone he couldn't bear to lose, a loss he could have, should have prevented.

Before Dean dropped his eyes from his, Sam easily detected Dean's hesitation, his regret, knew that Dean didn't want Alec in danger anymore than he wanted him to be in danger. Didn't think he was worth anyone being in danger, not for him, not to save him, never for him. Maneuvering around the Impala, he came to stand at Dean's side. "He needs to be there, Dean," he quietly insisted. Felt his chest tighten when Dean tilted his head up and he saw the unmasked vulnerability in his brother's eyes.

"Does he Sam?" Dean choked out, a thousand thoughts bombarding him, a million regrets, a billion uncertainties. 'Do you need to be there, Sam? To risk your life?! To watch me die? To see how badly I failed you, to see the price I paid, though willingly, to get you back, to save you? I don't want you to see that, to know that. Ever, Sam. Not ever.'

"If you're there than that's where he needs to be," Sam pointed out, couldn't not say the rest. "It's where I need to be," his resolution unmistakable. Dean needed to understand that there was no other choice for him, never would be. Dean had taken care of him his whole life, had unfailingly been his safety net in a world, in a life that mocked the very idea of safety, of security. But Dean hadn't cared what was possible, had broken all the rules, had not done any of it for revenge, or ego, or selfishness…had done it out of love. Had sold his very soul for him, to save him. Sam would do no less for Dean, had begun to wonder if there was any line he wouldn't willingly cross to save Dean, to show Dean that the love between them, it flowed both ways.

"Sam, you know our chances…" Dean began, wanting Sam to see the truth, to face the odds, to come to grips that all this…it might be useless. That they should have went on a last trip to TJ, that would have at least given him more time with Sam, time when they weren't at odds, weren't discussing Ruby or Sam's supposedly dark powers, were just brothers going for a Mexico run, one last time. And Alec, he could have hopped on a plane, joined them there. They could have been the three amigos for one shining moment. Untouchable.

But Sam refused to accept defeat, knew that was what Dean wanted him to prepare for. And defeat of any kind he could accept…if it didn't involve losing his brother. "I'll quote you if I have to. We're stronger as…"

"A family," Dean finished Sam's sentence with frustration, knowing that this debate had the potential to rage as hotly as all their others when the stakes were one of their lives. "Yeah, I said that but…"

"What? It only applied when Dad's life was in jeopardy, when mine is, when Alec's is?" Sam challenged, coming closer to Dean, eyes blazing, his own frustration rising that his brother couldn't see what was so obvious. "When are you going to realize that there would be no family without you, Dean! Dad and I would have never talked again after I left for college and heck, we wouldn't have traded anything but shouts after I turned thirteen if it hadn't been for you. And Alec…I would have left him rot in that jail, Dean," he confessed, knew that Dean attributed kindness to him that was only there because Dean brought it out in him. "I would have never known what it's like to have a younger brother. Right now, I wouldn't have Alec, someone that I could count on to stand at my side, to be willing to fight with everything he has in order to save what matters most to me: you. And Bobby, you've made him part of our family too."'

"No! He's not!" Dean fiercely denied, didn't want another person linked to him, able to be hurt because of him. Would renounce his own feelings for the older hunter if it kept Bobby safe. "He doesn't have to be part of this. Don't call him back here, Sam. I don't want him risking his life for me."

"He's not here because he decided he wanted to rough it in some abandoned shack for a few days, Dean! He's here because he doesn't want to lose you. If you can't see that, then you don't know him very well!" Sam accused, shocked that Dean was denying what was so evident, that he was honestly trying to cut off Bobby at this late junction, when they could use all the help they could get. When he would use any resources he had to save Dean: Bobby, Alec…even Ruby and whatever old Yellow Eyes had left simmering under the surface in his own soul.

Dean, however, was beyond arguing, had no intentions of losing this particular round with his brother. "Get in the car, Sam. We're leaving. Now," he gruffly ordered, all Winchester steel in his tone, in the look he leveled at Sam before he yanked open the door, slid into the Impala.

Having planned on calling Bobby from the road anyway, Sam walked around the front of the car and sank into the passenger seat without protest. Taking his rightful place at Dean's side, he settled in for the long drive, was secretly, selfishly glad that he would have Dean to himself, that Dean couldn't go anywhere, was trapped with him in the Impala. That Dean could try to shut him out but he couldn't leave him, not yet. 'Never' he internally snarled at his doubt, ready, geared to face off with Lilith, to face off with the devil himself if he had to in order to keep Dean with him.

But it seemed like the odds were already deserting them when, a moment later, Dean faithfully turned the Impala key…and nothing happened. The car didn't even try to start.

Cursing the other member of the Winchester family, silently, because he still had some self preservation, Sam knew that, no matter how lame it seemed, he should have had a talk with the Impala. Should have told her what her assigned duty was, that she couldn't fail them, fail Dean, not now. In hindsight, it seemed a grievous oversight.

When something hit the Impala'a roof, Sam jumped, nearly pulled his gun before Bobby leaned down into the driver's window. Bobby's sharp eyes lanced into Dean before skimming to him and then the mechanic held out an apparently vital piece of the Impala like a ransom…or what it was: leverage to get himself dealt into their fight with Lilith.

A few minutes later when he climbed back into the Impala, Sam couldn't help but smile, Bobby's words echoing in his heart 'Family don't end with blood, boy.' He couldn't remember feeling more affection for Bobby than in that moment. Bobby was right, family was made up of more things than blood…than DNA, was forged through time and pain, adoration and love. And for Winchesters, the bonds were tested and tempered like steel, until they were weapons. Weapons they wielded to protect those they loved, to dispatch anyone who posed a threat to their family. Lethally and effectively.

Foolishly Lilith had thrown down the gauntlet, was trying to do the worst thing anyone could: to take away one of their own. Sam smiled grimly. Soon she would know the relentlessness of their family, his family. That to get to one of them meant you had to go through the rest of them. And they weren't going to back down, because, to lose this battle, it was to lose the war, was to lose their family, all of it. And Lilith, she could even kill him but he wasn't going to let her have Dean. Dean wasn't going to hell…that just wasn't happening. Would happen over his dead body…just like Dean had vowed to Ruby.

After putting the Impala back to rights, Dean sank into the driver's seat, could feel Sam's eyes on him. And he knew his walls were practically translucent to his brother, that Sam could see that he was touched and troubled by Bobby's loyalty, his anger, by the older hunter's involvement in their almost certainly doomed plan. But as well as Sam knew him, he knew Sam too. Knew what was coming, that Sam had enjoyed Bobby's high handed tactics with him, would gloat that he had been proven right about the older man's loyalty to them…to him. Sam didn't disappoint.

Surprisingly, Sam found mirth turning up his lips at his brother's uncharacteristic embarrassment at being scolded by Bobby, by having the older man, in no uncertain terms, tell him that they were family, that Dean was his family. "I told you so, Dean. Like it or not, we're all in this with you," he gloated with affection, did it because Dean needed it, expected it, because, if roles were reversed, Dean wouldn't let the matter drop without tallying his winning point.

Even if the 'told you so' was expected, even anticipated, Dean shot his brother a glare all the same. "Don't gloat, Sammy. I already got manipulated by one little brother and chewed out by my surrogate father today. And your pal Ruby gave me a headache…"

"Dean, I can drive…" Sam readily offered, glad for the opening, because Dean looked like crap. And that had been true even before he went ten rounds with Ruby.

But Dean talked over Sam's suggestion. "Can we just pretend this is another hunt?" his eyes beseeching as they levelly met Sam's. Showed Sam he needed this normalcy, wanted it, even if it was the last con they would ever pull, even if it wasn't fooling anyone, not him or Sam. "You know, turn on some tunes and when you complain about them, I'll turn them up. I'll drive erratic and piss Bobby off. And we'll discuss how I'm going to kick your butt if you go behind my back with Ruby one more time."

Inhaling sharply at Dean's words, Sam needed Dean to know he hadn't meant his actions as a betrayal, that they were done out of love, desperation. "Dean, I summoned Ruby…"

"To find a way to save me..I know that, Sam," Dean finished without condemnation but with weariness and affection, eyes swiveling to Sam, wanting to connect with Sam, to make sure his brother knew he meant the words, meant the next ones too. "I just don't want you to, alright? Not like that. Besides, this is a family fight, remember? You, me, Alec and Bobby. I don't need anyone else except you guys. You got that?"

Sam nodded because it wasn't in him to oppose Dean, not now. To do so would hurt him in places that were already broken and bleeding. But it didn't mean he could shut out Ruby's words…. that she couldn't save Dean but he could. If Ruby hadn't lied, if she was right, if he had the means to save Dean and didn't use them, was too scared…or valued his soul above Dean's…He couldn't lose his brother, couldn't lose Dean, knew in his heart that there wasn't anything he wouldn't risk…or forfeit to save Dean. And maybe Ruby hadn't been able to give him an instructional guide book, but he had come to know that, when push came to shove, when Dean was in danger, he would delve into himself, find some reserve strength, some power, be it evil or good, to protect Dean, to stop Dean from leaving him. Had unleashed his telekinesis power that same way when he had the vision of Max Miller killing Dean.

Sam would do that again tonight if he had to, would use whatever he could, would do whatever he had to do to stop Dean from going to Hell. Would hone his love for his brother into the greatest weapon he had. For the first time, he was truly grateful for what his father had made them become, had bred them to be, for their family to be: survivors. And if Dean couldn't remember that, he would prove it to him tonight.

Seeing that Dean's eyes were flashing from the road and back to him, awaiting his promise, Sam answered, "I got it Dean," his voice hoarse and his eyes scared as they met Dean's bloodshot green gaze. "But you remember what I said too: There is no family without you, man. So if you decide to lie down and die, you're taking the rest of us with you."

"Sam…" Dean drawled in protest, nearly begged because he couldn't bare that weight, couldn't think along those terms. Losing his own life, he had come to terms with that. But Sam losing his, Alec dying, Bobby missing out on his retirement? That just couldn't happen. He wouldn't let it. Would rather agree to be Lilith's number one soldier if she spared his family, real and adopted. Would make that bargain right then and there if he thought for one second that Lilith believed in mercy. But no, there were no more deals to be made, no escape hatches left to drop through. There was only this slim chance, this recklessly stupid plan to kill Lilith, to break his deal, to allow him to stay with his family instead of leaving them.

When Dean didn't offer up a promise, a vow, instead said his name with such need…wanted something Sam refused to give him, tears welled in Sam's eyes and the terrible fear he had been struggling so hard to smother started to steal over him, made his voice quake. "Just promise me you'll fight as hard for your life as you always have for mine, Dean."

Pain flashed in Dean's eyes and it was the last thing Sam wanted, to hurt Dean more, to demand more of his brother after Dean had already given him everything he had, everything he had ever had, had forfeited everything he ever could have had. Sam forced his next words to carry levity, to bolster hope, did it for Dean. "Dude, just promise me that and you can put on your crappy music and we'll debate..I don't know, best super hero movies or something," made a smile appear on his lips though he knew it was a travesty of his real one. He wanted to give Dean what he had asked for, to let some asinine banter distract Dean from what lay ahead but he couldn't quiet any of his fears without some proof that Dean was going to fight for his life, wasn't just going to sacrifice himself all over again, at the last.

For a beat, Dean just looked at Sam, felt Sam's desperation fill the car, saw Sam's undeniable love for him reflected in his brother's eyes. And doubt flared in him, cast a shadow over what he had been telling himself for a year…had told himself even as his lips locked with the crossroad dealmaker: that he was doing this for Sam, that Sam would thank him for what he had done, that Sam, he didn't really need him, would be just fine on his own. And now, Sam had Alec. It should have made his leaving easier, knowing their family had grown by one…two if he counted Bobby and Bobby would be pissed if he didn't. Sam wasn't going to be alone, would have others to hunt with, to watch his back, to get him past this. It should have made all this better. But one look at Sam's face, seeing the tremble in his brother's chin, unable to deny the despair he could see gathering in Sam's eyes…Dean didn't know how things could be worse, how Sam could hurt more than he did right then.

"I promise, Sam," he vowed, meant it, would not lie to Sam, would stop lying to himself. Sam needed him. Him. Not Alec, not Bobby but him. Saw now that Sam wasn't going to accept a replacement for him, would not even try to fill the spot he would be vacating, would just hurt…forever. And he couldn't bring that pain to Sam, not without a fight. When his promise evoked a real, if watery smile from Sam, he smoothly moved their topic category from anguish to more familiar ground. "And the best super hero movie's got to be Batman Beginnings…"

Though he felt like breaking down, laughing hysterically or bursting into sobs, his feelings a cross between relief and terror, Sam snorted instead. "Forget it, its Spiderman…" he countered, though in truth, he didn't have a favorite movie super hero. Had never really had the need for a movie version, not when he had a real one all his life. Not when the real one was sitting beside him right now. And heroes, they always won. It was just how the story ended. Had to end. Everyone knew that.

A moment later, Sam laughed as Dean lambasted his Spiderman choice with relish. Willingly, he dove into the conversation with enthusiasm because Dean wanted him to, because, for all the things Dean had given to him, his brother had asked very little from him. So some nonsense conversation, a distraction, some quality time with his little brother? Sam could do that for Dean. Would do that for Dean and so much more. More than Dean could ever fathom…or would ever condone.

But little brothers, they had roles to play, too. And keeping their big brothers with them? That was one of them. In fact, it topped the list. Certainly topped Sam's list and Sam would stake his life…was staking Dean's life on the belief that Alec felt the same way. That Alec would be there, would do whatever he could, whatever he had to do to see that neither of them lost their big brother. 'Alec, I can't lose him. We can't lose him,' he silently implored of his little brother, needed Alec there, needed to know that Alec would have their backs, that he wasn't the only little brother in this battle. That Dean's life, Dean's soul didn't rest in his hands alone. That Dean would be saved, because if the worst happened…if he lost Dean, Sam knew in the darkest depths of his soul that there would be nothing that would save him. He would become as deadly, as evil as his father had once predicted he would be.

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Pocket watch crushed in his grip, Bobby helplessly watched the house across the street, prayed as hard as he knew how that two tall dark haired men that he loved like sons would come walking out the door. But the tick tock of his watch mocked his appeal as midnight drew mercilessly near. "Come on boys," he nearly begged before his breath caught as he saw someone try and slip through the ring of Lilith's soldiers. But this late comer, he wasn't one of Lilith's, wasn't getting a free pass through their ranks, was being forced to fight his way forward.

Bobby marveled at the uninvited guest's speed and agility as he punched and kicked his way through the possessed people. But it was his backwards leap which landed him on the holy water drenched front lawn that convinced Bobby of his identity: Dean's clone, Alec. As he watched, Alec was practically a blur, he entered the house so rapidly. "Alright, kid, prove to me that you're worth Dean and Sam's loyalty," he lowly growled, wanting someone, anyone, to save Dean, to save Sam. Because, those boys, they were a package deal, had been from the start and anyone who couldn't see that…Well they were blind. And he was old but his sight, his insight, was 20/20 when it came to his family.

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TBC

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I know, it's a cruel place to stop but I'm planning on posting the next chapter Tuesday or Wednesday. After that, my updates may be a little slow in coming again but I hope not.

Thanks for reading and for all your kind words! You guys totally spoil me…but I'm OK with that.

Have a wonderful evening!

Cheryl W.