Chapter 25

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Dark Angel or Supernatural characters. The characters of Lexi, Jake and Jackie are from a Supernatural AU Verse that I write. I hope you like it. Thanks to everyone that has been reading this story and thanks for the reviews. Reviews would be great!

May 5th

Night

It's eleven thirty according to the clock on the microwave and Dean, Sam and Victor are the only ones left sitting at the kitchen table. The maps are pushed off to the side along with the photographs of the area. The buildings schematics are now in the center of the table surrounded by three glasses and a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue that Victor had brought for Dean in celebration of his daughter's arrival. Sam taps a spot on the schematics impatiently. He wants to go through the front and his overly cautious older brother wants to go through the back. Sam's about fed up at the moment. If Sam hears him say, 'This has to be surgically clean.' one more time, he's gonna lose his shit.

After arguing for another half an hour the brothers finally decide on a plan. Once Sam hacks into Manticore's security system and loops the video feed, Lexi will get the guards to open the gate. Dean is adamant that she will only use her mind control thing on them. Then, they will all enter through the front and divide into teams of two; Dean and Lexi, Jackie and Sam, Victor and Bobby. It's decided that the kids will stay back in Connecticut with Lexi's Uncle Gavin much to Dean's dislike. He would much rather drop the kids off with Ellen but as Victor pointed out it was too easy to connect the Winchesters to Ellen. Given the fact that Gavin Connor was presumed dead was a plus. No one would be looking for him if the mission went side ways.

Once they had every aspect of their plan nailed down, Dean helped Victor and Sam polish off the last of the Johnny Walker before he excused himself to join his wife upstairs. He found her sitting up in bed reading a Stephen King novel. Dean arched his eyebrow and kicked off his boots before stripping down to his boxer briefs, "What you don't get enough horror in your life now you gotta read about it?"

"I was just trying to distract myself."

"From what?"

"What we're about to do." She closed her book sighing before she turned to look at her husband. Dean joins her on the bed slipping under the covers as she watches him with wide eyes, "I know you really don't want me to do this."

"No, baby girl, I don't. The thing is unleashing your powers scare the hell outta me but what you showed me in that vision scares me even more. 'M not gonna let our family die..." Dean rubs her cheek with the pad of his thumb before pressing his lips to the corner of her mouth. "and 'm sure as hell ain't gonna let anything bad happen to you."

"I know you won't. I think we should do the unbinding soon. I...we need to make sure I got my mojo before we walk in there."

"Ok, we'll do it in a few days then."

Dean's eyes roam over her body taking in the way her lavender nightie clings to the valleys and plains of her body. The nightie ends at her mid thigh giving him an ample view of her toned legs. He trails his fingers down her exposed thigh, it's smooth, freshly waxed. Dean bites down on his bottom lip to stifle his groan and tells himself it's too soon. Before Lexi knows what's happening Dean rolls on top of her pushing her body down into the mattress while pulling her legs up against his sides. He's feasting on her mouth with intensity, his tongue wrapping so tightly around hers that she can taste and smell the whiskey on his breath. Dean leans back slightly looking at Lexi for a sign of protest. When he gets none he begins kissing and nibbling along her jaw.

She smells so good to him, like the beach and something flowery. He drags his lips down her throat to the top of her chest. He's been aching to do this for months now, feel her soft body under his. She has her fingers in his hair, she's make little mewling noises and arching her body up against him. He pushes the lace of her nightgown out of the way, hands move up to cup her breasts, thumbs brushing across her nipples until they form stiff peaks. Leaning down, Dean licks a broad swipe across her nipple before wrapping his lips around the hard bud. Lexi arches up into his mouth whimpering his name. She tastes like coconut, he wants to taste more of her, needs to have more of her. He turns his attention to her other nipple, tongue swirling and teasing as he slips a hand between her legs.

"Dean, stop." she whispers pushing against his chest to get him off of her, "It's too soon."

"Lex...c'mon it's been five months." Dean whines as he lifts his head and pouts. "Five LONG months. I didn't even get birthday sex."

"I'm very well aware but we have to wait at least a month, you know that."

Dean brushes his lips against hers gently before rolling off her. He lays on his back staring at the chipped paint on the ceiling and grunts in frustration. This sucks so bad that he doesn't even have enough words to explain his frustration. It's not just about the no sex for the past five months, he misses her. Which Dean knows is stupid since she is lying right next to him but it's how he feels. He sighs before turning to look at his wife, "Yeah, yeah I know, still sucks. Oh and FYI you wearing these sexy little nighties isn't helping any."

Lexi can't help but smile at him. She knows damn well it doesn't really matter what she wears to bed. Dean would try to get into her pants even if she was wearing sweats and a t-shirt. She moves closer to him resting her head on his shoulder and traces the tattoo of her name on his chest. He looks down at her with a quirked eyebrow as she moves her fingers away from the tattoo and begins rubbing his chest in small circles. "I know it sucks sweetie but at least you don't have to worry about me being safe since I'm not bed ridden anymore."

"Lex, I'll always worry about keeping you and the kids safe. That ain't ever gonna change. If something happens to you, your blood's gonna be on my hands."

"No, Dean. If something happens to me it's not on you. It's on me. I mean we're hunters...there's always a possibility something will go wrong. It's part of the job."

"I brought you into this life, Lex. Anything happens it's my fault."

"Dean Winchester that is bullshit and you know it. I was going to be in this life whether or not we ever met."

"You don't know that. Your mom didn't wanna raise you to be a hunter."

Lexi propped up on her elbow and stared at Dean. She didn't understand why he had to put so much pressure on himself. It wasn't his duty to keep her safe and it wasn't his fault she wanted to hunt. She loved him and she would follow him any where. "Yeah, I know she didn't but you don't think Azazel wouldn't have found me anyway? C'mon, Dean, let's be honest here. I was gonna be in this life one way or another so stop putting it on yourself, okay."

"I never wanted this for you. You deserve better than me."

"There is no one better out there for me. You're it for me. I love YOU."

"What about that Michael guy you were with in New York? He's a doctor isn't he?"

"So what if he was? That doesn't make him a better person than you. I left Michael to come find you didn't I? He was a rebound guy. And when I was finally honest with myself I realized I wanted YOU. I always wanted you. And ya know what? I love our family and our strange life. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I like hunting, it makes me feel close to my mom. And I know even though she didn't want this for me, she's proud. We save people, Dean. If I help save one kid's mom, then it's totally worth it."

"Wow, Lex, that was so inspirational." Dean smiled down at Lexi his eyes all lit up mischievously, "I wanna go kill something now."

May 9th

Dean had been camped out in the garage all afternoon. He told himself it wasn't hiding if he was working on something. At the moment he had the hood of the Impala popped open and was giving his baby a much needed tune up. He was trying to keep himself busy and not think about what they were planning to do. Tonight they were taking the first step in their plan by unbinding Lexi. It still wasn't sitting right with him. There were too many things that could go wrong. She could go bat shit crazy and take off after Lydecker on her own or the spell might not even work. He was hoping for the latter.

Dean turned back to the task at hand focusing on removing the spark plugs. He came out here to make sure the car was in tip top shape to make the trek to Winchester, CT and to take his mind off their current situation. It wasn't working. He couldn't concentrate, his mind kept going back to all the ways this thing could go sideways. It wasn't that he didn't trust his wife because he did. He had this feeling that it was all gonna blow up in his face that he couldn't shake. There was too much riding on this, something bad was gonna go down, he just knew it.

"Hey Dean, what are you doing out here?"

"Oh, hey Sammy. I'm um just giving my baby a tune up."

"You okay, man?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. You got everything for the spell?"

"Almost. We need one more ingredient."

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Your blood."

"Excuse me?"

"Spell says it needs the blood of the binder. That's you and it needs to be fresh. Basically you have to bleed into the potion while it's being made."

"Okay."

"Dean, are you sure you're alright? You seem... I dunno."

"I said I'm fine. Was there another reason for you to come out here or not? See I'm kinda busy at the moment."

"I just came out here to let you know that Victor came through on those all access FBI sector passes."

Dean nodded and went back to changing out the spark plugs. He could feel Sam staring daggers into his back but didn't turn to look at his brother. He knew Sam wanted to talk but Dean was not in the mood to share and care. All he wanted was to be left alone and work on his car. He didn't think that was too much to ask for. Dean sighed in relief when he heard Sam huff behind him before he stomped off and slammed the garage door.

Later that night

The adults gathered around the pot that was being heated on Bobby's desk once the children were asleep. Dean was in the center, his left hand held over the pot while his right hand gripped a silver knife. He looked at Lexi his eyebrow quirked and asked her again, "Are you sure you wanna do this babe? You don't have to, we'll find another way."

She took a deep breath and held her husband's gaze, "Yeah, I'm sure. You already made the binding potion so let's just do this."

Dean nodded and turned his left hand palm side up. He grimaced slightly as he slit open his left hand. He closed his eyes, clenched his left hand closed and turned it so the blood could drip freely into the potion below. It began to hiss and bubble immediately turning the once clear potion to a deep bluish black color signaling that it was complete. Lexi filled the glass that was sitting next to the pot, raised it in a silent toast and began drinking which was Dean's cue to start the spell. He began chanting, "Vox aboleso, Lacuna abolesco, Venit they unde ex, Iam lemma reverto. Exsisto diutius haud vox suum permissum."

Lexi dropped the glass, her hands flying to her throat. She fell to the floor choking and shaking violently, her eyes rolling up into the back of her head. Dean dropped to his knees next to his wife grabbing a hold of her to keep her still. "Lexi!"

Sam was on the other side of Lexi now, his hands gripping her arms. "Dean you have to keep chanting or this is all for nothing. I got her, Dean. Keep going."

Dean met his brother's eyes and nodded before continuing the chant, "Vox aboleso, Lacuna abolesco, Venit they unde ex, Iam lemma reverto. Exsisto diutius haud vox suum permissum. Vox aboleso, Lacuna abolesco, Venit they unde ex, Iam lemma reverto. Exsisto diutius haud vox suum permissum."

Lexi and the room became eerily still. There wasn't a sound in the room, not even their breathing could be heard. Dean stared down at Lexi's lifeless body fearing the worst. He reached a hand out tentively to check for a pulse when her eyes flew open and a rush of red smoke entered her mouth. "Lex?"

"Hey, Dean. Hmmm always like when you speak Latin...so damn sexy."

Dean couldn't help but laugh, it came out deep and throaty. He then gathered her up in his arms crushing her to himself in his relief. He leaned down pressing a kiss into the top of her hair and whispered, "You had me worried for a minute there. How do you feel? Did it work?"

"I don't know." She stated hoarsely as Dean helped her to her feet. "I thought I'd feel them inside me, the powers I mean."

"Well, see if you can throw me against the wall." Lexi shrugged waving her right index and middle finger lazily in Dean's direction. Her eyes widened in shock as she watched him hurtle across the room and through one of the library's pocket doors. "Damn, Lex, you pissed off at me or something?"

"What? NO! I didn't even flick my wrist that hard. I dunno what...OH MY GOD! Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine." Dean muttered rubbing the back of his head while he came back into the room, "Not like I haven't been tossed threw a door before. What I don't get is why you got so much juice."

Bobby came around the desk holding Megan Connor's journal open in his hand before shoving it towards Dean. He shook his head and stabbed his finger at the open page, "Answer's simple. You bound her three years ago but her powers get stronger as she gets older. So, whatever mojo she had then is three times stronger now. Which is a good thing since you lot of idjits are gonna storm the castle and all that."

Upstairs

Ben and Alec were huddled on top of the stairs the whole time during Lexi's unbinding. They looked at each other both knowing what this meant. Their parents were going to attempt to take Manticore down. Alec, like always, kept a brave face on but Ben knew better. His younger twin was just as nervous as he was. Alec turned looking at his brother as he grasped his hand, "Don't worry, Benny. Dad's got this. If any ordinary can take down Manticore it's him."

"How can you be so sure of that, Alec?"

"Um I dunno cuz me and you are awesome. And we were made from his DNA which means he's awesome too. Plus dad's like the best hunter out there and mom's a super freak with powers too."

"But there's only two of them and Manticore has lots..."

"No buts. Dad promised he'd keep us safe from them and he will. C'mon we gotta finish packing up. We're leaving tomorrow."

Ben nodded and followed his brother back up to their room. He wished he could blindly believe in their dad's chances as Alec did. What Ben knew for sure was that the people at Manticore were monsters that would stop at nothing to hurt you. One man to take down that whole nameless operation just didn't seem possible to Ben. He hoped that he was wrong but just to be safe once Alec was asleep he slipped his picture of the Blue Lady out of the book he had hidden her in. His mom had explained to him how she wasn't the Blue Lady but The Blessed Virgin Mary or Mother of God. She taught him the prayers Hail Mary and Hail Holy Queen but tonight he would say his own prayer. He clutched her picture tight in his hand asking her to protect him and his family like he had down almost nightly at Manticore. Tonight though, he had nothing to leave as an offering. He hoped that wouldn't matter.

May 10th

Alec stood in the hallway with his duffel bag at his feet. He felt strange. He didn't think he'd be sad about leaving Bobby's house but he was. It was the first place in his whole life that he ever felt safe. He wandered into the library running his hand over a stack of Bobby's old dusty books, he was really going to miss this place.

"Hey kiddo, it's time to go."

"Ok, dad." Alec said as he turned around. He quirked his eyebrow and crossed his arms before asking, "Why aren't me and Ben going with you and mom?"

"It's better if we split up. Lydecker thinks you boys are traveling with me. It's less likely your Aunt Jackie and Uncle Sammy will get stopped with you boys."

"Fine but why do I have to go with Uncle Sammy?"

"Then go with your Aunt Jackie. I don't care who goes with who just that one of you boys go with one of them." Dean placed his hand of Alec's shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze. "C'mon, we're burning daylight and I wanna get to the safe house as fast as possible."

The Americana Motel

By the time Sam and Ben got to the motel Dean was ready to chew his arm off. He glared at Sam as his younger brother walked into the motel room behind Ben. Sam was supposed to be here an hour ago and besides Dean being sick with worry he was also starving. "What took you so long Samantha?" Dean snapped, "We're all HUNGRY."

"Construction, accidents, sector police. You name it."

"Oh you couldn't I dunno call?"

"Cell phone died."

"Yeah, well get your ass in gear you're coming with me to get take out."

"But I..."

"SAMMY!"

Sam huffed and dropped his duffel before following Dean out to the Impala. He had just spent the whole day driving the moving truck, he really wasn't in the mood to listen to his brother's bitching. Sam loved Dean, he really did but it was times like this when he wanted to put his foot up his brother's ass.

Sam got in the Impala eying his older brother wearily. Dean was gripping the steering wheel, his jaw clenched, he looked like he was about to blow. Sam cleared his throat before speaking in an effort to keep Dean from snapping at him. "What's going on, Dean?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me. What's wrong?"

Dean pulled face as he loosened his grip on the steering wheel, "Victor's plan to draw out Lydecker. It's good. Lex though she ain't...she ain't gonna go for it. She's gonna fight me tooth and nail. Especially since Stella's only a week old."

"Lexi's going to kick your ass."

"Yeah, I know, Sammy."

"You need me to do anything?"

"Yeah, you gotta help me convince her it's the only way."

"Why don't you just lie about where you're going?"

"I can't lie to her Sammy. She's got her mojo back. She could just pluck it right outta my head. And besides do you really think lying to her's a good idea? Remember what happened last time she had her powers and you pissed her off?"

Later that Night

After dinner that night Sam and Jackie headed off to their own motel room to get some sleep leaving Dean alone with his wife and kids. Dean was suddenly feeling a bit awkward. He shifted in the kitchen chair he was sitting in as his eyes swept over the room. His three boys were sitting in front of the television watching the cartoon network, Stella was napping in her car seat and Lexi was in the alcove in front of the bathroom on the phone with her Uncle. Dean watched his wife walk the length of the small space. Usually he liked to watch her walk, her movements were normally easy and care free but not tonight. He could see the tension in her movements and didn't want to add to her stress. He had to tell her the plan though. He just didn't know the best way to bring it up. Dean began peeling off the label of his beer bottle to distract himself. He decided in that moment that was gonna get good and drunk then maybe he'd clue his wife in on the plan to draw out Lydecker.

"Dean are you okay?" He looked up to find a pair of gentle and concerned green eyes staring down at him. He pulled a face and shrugged as Lexi sat in the chair next to his placing both of her smaller hands over one of his. "Hey, talk to me."

"Lex...I..."

"What is it?"

Dean met her eyes throwing her a half smile, "You're not gonna like it so I'm just gonna come out with it. Me and Victor have a plan to draw Lydecker out. I'm gonna go up to the town closest to their new headquarters. Get myself on video surveillance at some local spots and someone, you or Jackie, are gonna call Victor with information on my whereabouts. He's gonna then call Lydecker with the intel."

"Are you insane?"

"No but unless you got a better idea I'm all ears."

"Dean what if he's already there and spots you? What then? Why do you need to take the risk, uh?"

"Lex, we both know one of these days my numbers gonna be up. I'm gonna die with a gun in my hand. That's all I have waiting for me."

"What about me? Don't I count? Last time I checked I'm here waiting for you. You're not alone anymore Dean. You have me, you have children. Why are you always running towards death?"

"Of course you count but I have to be the one to do this. He wants me. The plan isn't for him to get me Lex, it's just to draw him out of hiding, to make sure he's at Manticore when we hit it. Trust me. I'm gonna be long gone when Victor makes his call."