What's up guys? I've really been on a writing kick…so many ideas and not enough hours in the day. Anyway, I've wanted to write something like this for a while…. there were just so many feels at the end of season 5 and beginning of season 6, I just had to see if I could cover them a few. As always all mistakes are mine and the boys don't belong to me, if they did then I wouldn't be a broke college student. Enjoy :)


The Vacant Year

Chapter One

When Dean shows up on Lisa's doorstep she welcomes him in with open arms. She wraps her hand around his wrist and gently tugs him inside. She guides him through her home and into the living room. She's grateful that Ben is at a sleepover and doesn't have to seen Dean…so distraught.

She lightly presses on his shoulder until Dean is perched on the edge of the couch. Dean is rigid, his haunted green eyes shift nervously around the room. Lisa squeezes his shoulder and with her other hand she gingerly tilts his head towards her. His skin is ashen and clammy under her fingers. She can feel the tremors running through his frame.

"Hey," she says softly, like she is speaking with a frightened child. "I'll be right back okay? I'm just gonna go make you some coffee."

She doesn't expect a response back, she doesn't even know if he'll drink the liquid. But, she feels the urge to try. She runs her fingers through his short, sweaty locks before hurrying to the kitchen.

While the coffee is brewing, Lisa rummages through the cabinet above the stove, searching for her stash of hard liquor. She pulls out a new bottle of whiskey and takes a swing before pouring a generous amount into a mug.

She runs a hand down her face. She knows something big just went down and Dean was caught in the middle of it. What exactly transpired that caused him to shut down like this must have been huge. But, right now she can't worry about that, all that matters is making sure Dean is okay. He'll tell her when he's ready.

She leans against the sink and impatiently taps her fingers on the counter top, silently willing the machine to brew faster. After a seemingly infinite amount of time, which in reality was only ten minutes, the brown liquid finally stopped dripping through the filter.

Lisa yanks the pot off and haphazardly dumps the steaming coffee into the mug. In her haste, a few drops sloshed onto the counter, but she could care less. All that mattered at the moment is the shell-shocked man on her sofa.

Lisa carefully carries the mug across the expanse of the kitchen and into the living room. Dean is exactly where she left him. His hands are clenched into fists in his lap and he's slightly swaying back and forth.

She smiles sadly and sets the mug down on the table in front of him. He doesn't register the cup or Lisa, until she sits down next to him. His muscles constrict further when the cushion dips under her weight.

"Hey, it's okay," she says soothingly. "It's just me."

Dean slowly looks over at her, his eyes shimmering with flecks of hope. "Sammy?" he questions, his voice quivering.

Lisa's chest aches at the longing expressed through the one word. Then, she stifles a gasp when the implication behind the questioning hits her…at the reason why Dean is here…

"Dean," she says in a light forceful tone. "You're in Indiana." She places her hand on his forearm. "Where's Sam, Dean?"

Dean's gaze flashes around the room as if he expects to see Sam standing in the corner. He looks Lisa straight in the eyes and her heart cracks even more. His green eyes are swimming in unshed tears, his intense gaze radiating pure misery.

Dean swallows thickly before responding. "Gone."

He breaks his eyes away from hers and lets his head fall to his chest as if it weighs a thousand tons. Lisa remains completely motionless until she sees the single tear splash onto his jeans. She cautiously raises her arm and inches towards him. The last thing she wants to do is startle Dean and scare him off. Especially since he's so vulnerable.

Lisa slides her arm around his shoulders and gradually guides his body backwards. She can feel the strained muscles in Dean's back shuddering from exhaustion. She rubs slow circles through his jacket as she mumbles a litany of, "It's okay" or "it's going to be alright." Even though she knows it never will be.

She bends her neck down to peer at Dean's face. There is one lone tear track on his pale cheek. His eyes are downcast and intently inspecting his worn boots.

"Hey Dean?" Lisa asks. "You wanna take your jacket off?" No response. "I'm sure you'll be more comfortable without it." This time Dean sniffles and gives her a minuscule nod.

Lisa internally cheers at the small response, glad that Dean isn't completely catatonic. She presses the palm of her hand between his shoulder blades to tenderly urge him to lean forward. Lisa coaxes his hands out of the tight balls they are wound in and makes quick work of peeling the jacket off. She tosses the garment over the arm of the couch.

She drapes her arm back around his shoulders and maneuvers him backwards. As she resumes stroking his arm again, Dean chokes back a sob.

"It's okay Dean," Lisa repeats. "Just let it out."

She moves her hand to the back of his neck and pulls his head down until it's resting on her shoulder. Lisa alternates between massaging the back of his neck and running her fingers through his hair. Finally, she feels his shoulders quake as the first sob wracks his frame.

Lisa tightens her grip on him and tugs him closer. Dean drags his legs up off the ground and onto the sofa. She watches as he buries his face in her thigh and curls into a ball.

For a moment Lisa is startled by how defenseless and young Dean appears. From the little time she has spent with him, she knows Dean never lets his walls down like this. When she feels the tears leaking from his eyes seep into her jeans she instantly jolts into action.

Lisa soothingly rubs her hand along his spine and caresses the back of his neck. Her legs have long since gone numb when Dean's body goes lax. Lisa continues to sooth and comfort him even in sleep, hoping to keep the terror filled dreams away long enough for him to get a semi-restful slumber.


So, what did you guys think? Should I add a chapter or work on a sequel? Review and let me know. Have an amazing day everyone :)