After what seemed like ages, John appeared to run out of steam. As soon as he got the full story from the boys, he wasted no time in lecturing them about the dangers of using untested magic. It seemed like he was on a roll too, then John suddenly stopped. Lucas and Nathan weren't sure what was going on, but Dean and Sam were familiar with this tune…John was planning.
John decided that after a good three hours of lecturing, it was time to plan. Dealing with Dan's spirit was first and foremost. And since Dan had been targeting Lucas and Nathan's family members, it stood to reason that one of them was next. That meant having one of his boys, preferably Sam, since he's a wiz with protection symbols and Latin, keep Dan's boys safe, while Dean and himself found Dan's body and dealt with it accordingly. Lucas' pregnancy would have to be set on the back-burner for the time being.
"Okay," John said after a long period of silence, "Sam, use that brain of yours and start protecting this room with everything you can think of to keep Nathan and Lucas safe, since it stands to reason that they're next on Dan's hit list. In the meanwhile Dean and I will find, salt n' burn the body."
Nathan snorted,"Shouldn't be too hard, just look for the biggest, most elaborate headstone in cemetery. Even in death, my father wanted to be portrayed as the most important thing to come out of Tree Hill."
"Then this shouldn't take long then," Dean commented, while getting the necessary supplies to complete the job.
"Wait, what about Lucas?" Sam asked.
"Lucas' 'condition' will have to wait until the spirit is dealt with. His pregnancy isn't causing harm to anyone, and the sooner we stop Dan, the better. And when we do, Lucas will become our top priority," John reasoned.
"Wait!" Nathan spoke.
"What?" Dean asked.
"Take me with you."
"What?!" Sam and Lucas yelled in unison.
"Look, I haven't been training for nothing, and I feel I need this." Nathan tried to reason.
"Why?" Lucas asked.
"Closure…I guess. I feel I need this."
"You realize how dangerous this is, right?" John asked.
"You tell me? Have you gone after something supernatural that went after your family?" Nathan shot back. Although he appeared to be clueless at times, Nathan utilized his mind at the most opportune times, and knew his question would not only end John's protests but help him fully understand where he's coming from.
Even though Nathan's comment was meant to put him in his place, John understood Nathan's reason. Something supernatural and evil was targeting the ones he loved, and since Lucas was also on Dan's list, John couldclearly see that Nathan was determined to stop it. Boy did he know what that's like.
"Alright, Dean will watch your back," John ordered.
"Yes, sir." Dean immediately responded, knowing Sam was giving him a look regarding Dean's habitual response to John giving orders.
"Nathan…" Lucas started.
"No Lucas, keep those puppy dog eyes to yourself, please. This is something that I have to do. You need to stay here amongst all the protection Sam can offer," Nathan pleaded.
"But…"
"Lucas, think of the baby…our baby."
That shut Lucas up, but left an unpleasant scowl on his face that Nathan was determined to get rid of.
Nathan knelt down in front of Lucas, and placed his hands over his brother's.
"Lucas, please understand where I'm coming from. What would you do if Dan killed your mom?"
Lucas was silent for a moment, contemplating an answer. He didn't was to give his baby brother an answer that would justify his reason for seeking revenge for the ones who were so mercilessly killed. And, although Dan hadn't killed his mom yet, it would only be a matter of time before he did, if not stopped.
"I would do what ever it took to seek justice." Lucas said slowly, defeated, knowing Nathan had a point.
"Yeah. Besides, we're now hunting with Dean and Sam. If you're worried about the dangers of the job, I'm sorry, but I think it's part of the package."
"Correction. Nathan will be hunting with us. Lucas will have to stay behind in the motel rooms, what with the pregnancy and all," Sam spoke.
Lucas gave a humorous laugh, "You know, I think it's ironic, we performed the ritual to prevent me from being stuck in the motels while the three of you face God knows what, only to be reduced to the same fate either way."
"Listen, not meaning to sound insensitive, but Dean, Nathan and I need to hurry up and deal with Dan before someone else dies. We can talk about this when we get back," John said gruffly, but shot Lucas apologetic eyes before leaving the room.
"Come on, Nate. Time to go on your first hunt," Dean said, and Nathan nodded. Dean bent down to kiss Sam before leaving, and Nathan did the same to Lucas, and followed Dean out.
The room was met with silence before Lucas got the nerve to find his voice, "Is it always like this on hunts?"
"Waiting while your loved ones go off into danger while all you can do is wait for them to return? Sam asked.
"Yeah."
"Normally, I'm with them watching their backs. It's better to be there with them concentrating on the hunt, than sitting here letting your imagination run wild on all the things that could go wrong."
"I agree."
"Well, you guys wanted to join us on the hunts."
"Can I be honest with you?"
"Sure."
"The only reason why I wanted to join was because Nathan wanted to. Don't get me wrong, I care about you and Dean too, but, I only wanted to be where ever Nathan was. He's been through so much. His whole life has been dictated for him, never really had something for himself."
"He had you. The choice to start a relationship with you was his choice."
"True. But hunting with you guys is something he wants."
"Maybe. But what do you want?"
"What?"
"What do you want? What is your heart's desire?"
Lucas thought about that for a minute, "I want us to have a normal life. Not just me and Nathan, but you and Dean too. The four of us-" Lucas paused at that thought as he paused to put a hand on his stomach, "-five of us, living at the beach house. You and I would work at the local high school as teachers. Nathan works to further his dreams of being a musician, maybe with Haley's help. And Dean could work at Keith's Auto Shop, since he likes working on cars, maybe John can work with him. And you, Dean, Nathan, and myself would help in raising mine and Nathan's child."
"Normal apple pie life?" Sam laughed.
"Something like that."
"You might be able to convince Nathan to go with that plan, but Dean is another story. Since he thinks hunting is all he's good at, he won't stop until he's either old or killed in action." Sam said sadly, thinking about Lucas' dream, and wanting it to happen just as badly.
"I don't want to lose Nathan, and he manages to pick one of the most dangerous professions out there."
"Well, like dad said, we'll talk about it when they return," Sam said while going over the various protections to cover the room, and making sure everything was in place.
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"You weren't kidding were you?" Dean asked in amazement, the three of them staring at the monstrosity of Dan's tombstone.
"Nope. He was a sociopathic ego-fucking-maniac. I wouldn't be surprised if he thought he was royalty." Nathan snorted.
"Alright, let's hurry up and finish this," John said, handing Dean a shovel, the two of them proceeding to dig up Dan's grave while Nathan kept watch, a sawed-off shotgun in his hands, armed with rock salt shells.
Deciding to continue with the plan, Nathan ventured off alone. On the way there, he came up with the plan to use himself as bait to keep Dan occupied while John and Dean dealt with his body. Nathan wasn't even sure Dan would come…
"Hello, son." A deep and menacing voice said from behind.
…then again.
Nathan turned to stare at the mangled form of his father. He looked just like he did after the werewolf got to him.
"Dad?" Nathan asked, concealing the shotgun.
"How could you do this to me, Nathan?"
"What are you taking about?"
"You killed me."
"No, the werewolf killed you."
"Which wouldn't have happened if you did what you were told, and not run off with that bastard spawn!"
"What do you want me to say? It was either him or you, and let me tell you, there was no contest. You were controlling every aspect of my life, my education, occupation, hell…I wouldn't be surprised if you chose the person I was to marry." Nathan looked at the blank expression on Dan's slashed face.
"Son of a bitch, you were going to force me into an arranged marriage?!" Nathan was appalled.
"I was doing what was best for you."
"Bullshit! You were doing what was best for you! You didn't care about what I wanted, or needed. I was nothing more than a means to an end for you, something to increase your faux image!"
"So what? You are my son, and I can do whatever the hell I want with you." Dan sneered.
"Not anymore. Did you know I hate basketball?" Nathan smirked. He knew it wasn't wise to piss of a spirit, but his job was to distract Dan long enough for Dean and John to finish up with the corpse, "Did you know I had a boyfriend in high school?"
"Yes I did. You can't even imagine the utter glee I felt when he died." Dan smirked, but suddenly felt something was wrong, like he was on fire.
Nathan was quick to notice Dan's discomfort, and caught a glance towards his left and saw a bright light coming from the direction of where the Winchesters were, and smiled. Now there was only one thing left to do. Without uttering a word, Nathan raised the gun and pointed it towards Dan's chest.
Dan looked on in confusion, not understanding what was going on, why he was in such pain. Dan glanced towards Nathan for an answer but found himself staring down the barrel of Nathan's shotgun. Dan found himself engulfed in flames of unknown origin. Without missing a beat, Nathan took a shot and blasted Dan full of rock salt, and watched as his father dissipated. Nathan knew that the shot wouldn't kill Dan for good, but distract him enough for the flames to encompass Dan's decayed body, and ridding the world of Dan Scott once and for all.
Nathan rejoined the Winchesters at the bonfire with his father's burning body resting underneath it.
"Did he come?" Dean asked.
Nathan nodded.
"Did he attack you?" John questioned.
"No. As usual, he was preachy, which I knew he would be." Nathan spoke.
"What'd he say to you?" Dean asked.
"Doesn't matter now. He's gone. He is gone for good, right?"
"Yep. He's not coming back," John assured.
"We should get going. I'll bet you my right nut that our siblings are worried sick." Dean mused.
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Lucas and Sam heard the familiar roar of the Impala's engine approach their room before shutting off. Both let out a sigh of relief as their brothers and John entered the room. Lucas immediately leaped into Nathan's arms giving him a hug, Nathan burying his face in the crook of Lucas' neck, returning the gesture.
Dean and Sam were still leery about showing the same kind of affection in front of their father, so they settled on silent communication with each other.
"Is he gone?" Lucas asked his brother.
"Yeah." Nathan said quietly, his father's words still ringing in his ear 'You can't even imagine the utter glee I felt when he died'. They kept replaying over and over in his head. He was suddenly grieving for Jake all over again.
Lucas noticed Nathan's quiet behavior, "What's wrong?"
"It's something Dan said to me before he vanished."
"What? Tell me."
So Nathan did.
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A/N: Soory if it's a bit shorter than usual, but expect another update sometime this week. I know I've said this before but I believe it bears repeating: Again, if anyone knows how to start a website for Lathan fiction, with a few other OTH pairings, please…I could use your help. Or if you know someone who can help, I would really appreciate it. Myself and a few others would really like this project to work. Thanks.