Chapter 1—Apple Pie

So bye-bye Miss American Pie

Drove my Chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry

And them good ol' boys was drinking whiskey and rye

Singin' "This'll be the day that I die."

"This'll be the day that I die."

-American Pie by Don McClean

Dean Winchester drew in a deep breath and knocked on the door. He stood on the porch, unsure of what he was going to say, or do. He couldn't really think right now, mainly because if he stopped for one minute, he would collapse. He looked up when he heard a click and the door opened. His heart beat faster when Lisa stood in front of him.

"Dean," she whispered. He felt his carefully built barriers begin to buckle.

"It's over," he whispered back and he tripped forward into Lisa. Her arms circled around him and held him close. Dean's own arms somehow found themselves wrapped around her as well.

Lisa felt something weighing Dean down, but she was unsure of exactly what it was. It was heavy, whatever it was, and she could feel Dean sagging beneath the weight of it.

"It's okay," she said into his ear. "It's all gonna be okay." She could feel Dean start to shake. They stood on the porch for what seemed like hours until Dean pulled away.

"I was wondering," he said in a slightly muted voice. "I was wondering if you still had that beer."

Lisa grinned. "Yeah, it's nice in cold. Would you like come inside?" Dean tried to smile back, but he couldn't get his face to do that.

"Yeah, that'd be great," he replied. She stood back and Dean walked inside. Lisa shut the door and turned around to find Dean frozen in the hallway.

"What?" she asked worriedly. She hurried around him and stood in front of him. Dean was staring down at a picture frame in his hands.

"You framed this?" he whispered. Lisa looked down at the upside down picture. It was a picture of the three of them, Lisa, Dean, and Ben. It had been taken by Sam right before Dean and Sam had left.

"Yeah, I, um, did. Why? Is there some problem or something?" she asked concerned. She slid the picture out of Dean's hands. He looked at her.

"No, it's just, I've never been framed like that before," he said with a hint of sarcasm. Lisa's mouth twitched.

"Come on, that beer's just getting colder," she said with her own hint of sarcasm. She tugged at his hand and he allowed her to lead him down to the kitchen. She indicated a stool at the island in the middle of the kitchen, then crossed the room to the fridge. Dean pulled off his worn leather jacket and set it on the stool next to him. Lisa slid a beer across the island to him.

"Thanks," he said and he took a long draught from the bottle. Lisa watched him, resting her head on her hands.

"Where's Ben?" Dean asked. The bottle clinked on the island's marble top.

"He's staying with some friends tonight," replied Lisa. She rolled her own bottle between her hands. "So, what are you planning to do now?"

"Um," Dean ran a hand through his hair. "I was thinking of finding a motel somewhere near here, and possibly hoping I could spend some time with you."

"That's sweet," she said smiling.

"Actually, I was hoping to try this 'date' thing. You know, I've never actually done things like that." He blushed.

"So, you're asking me out on a date?" Lisa couldn't hide her grin. Dean blushed deeper.

"Yeah, I guess I am." Dean kept his gaze fixated on the marble counter top.

"I accept," said Lisa.

"Great." Dean took a long swig from his beer.

"Awkwardness aside, I was wondering something." It was Lisa's turn to stare at the counter top and roll the bottle between her hands.

"Yeah?"

"Where's Sam? I know you two travel together, and I was just wondering if…" Lisa looked up then, and she saw Dean trying to control his facial expressions. Pain flashed deep within his green eyes, and Lisa found herself hurrying around the island to him.

"Dean, what happened? Is Sam…is he…" she trailed off, touching Dean's arm lightly. The bottle was now clenched in his hands and he was taking deep breaths to steady himself. He looked up at the ceiling and let out a shaky breath.

"He's…he's not dead, I don't think." Lisa rubbed Dean's arm and listened quietly. Dean suddenly grabbed Lisa and pulled in front of him.

"Dean, what are you…" Dean interrupted her with a kiss. Lisa melted into him. It had been too long since she last held Dean in her arms. The last time she kissed him, it had been a fruitless attempt to keep him with her. But the last time, she hadn't felt all his sadness, all his pain, his regret. It washed over her now, colliding with her own rolling emotions.

Dean picked up Lisa and she clung herself closer to him, wrapping her legs around his waist. He carried her to her bedroom, where he promptly laid her down on her bed. Lisa pushed up on his shirt and restlessly yanked hers off. Dean obliged, pulling off his shirt and helping her with hers. Dean lowered himself onto Lisa and drank in Lisa. The touch of her warm skin unfroze Dean a little and he pulled her closer to him.

"Your hands are cold, Dean," she said, pulling away from him for a minute. She looked into his eyes, her hand tracing Dean's firm arm. She frowned and sat up, her hand paused on Dean's upper arm.

"What's this?" Lisa traced the outline of Castiel's handprint on his arm. Dean covered her hand and lifted it slowly to his lips. He placed a soft kiss on it and lowered it back down, away from his arm.

"You have so many secrets, Dean," said Lisa. "More than when I first met you. Please, tell me. I can feel that weight on your shoulders. Let me share it with you!" Dean looked away from Lisa and pushed himself away from her. Confused, Lisa placed a hand lightly on Dean's shoulder, and she felt the shaking of his entire frame.

"Dean," she whispered. She pulled him closer to her and held him tight as sobs shook Dean's body. She didn't know how long she held him, but she knew that they had fallen asleep because she suddenly jolted awake when a voice called, "Mom?"

Glancing at the still sleeping Dean, Lisa eased herself out of bed slowly and retrieved her shirt from the floor. Smoothing it out, Lisa left her room quietly, glancing back at the last minute at the still sleeping Dean. Smiling, Lisa shut the door slowly and descended the stairs carefully.

"Mom?" called Ben again.

"I'm right here," whispered Lisa. She cleared her throat and repeated a little louder, "I'm right here, honey."

"Oh, there you are," said Ben. "It was a little weird that you were still asleep this late."

"What time is it?" she asked.

"Almost ten," said Ben, frowning. "Did you sleep in those clothes?"

"Um, yes, I did," Lisa fervently smoothed her shirt again. "Did you have a nice time at John's?"

"Yeah, but his parents are sure acting strange," said Ben, stowing his duffel bag in the cupboard under the stairs.

"What were they doing?" asked Lisa distractedly. She kept glancing up the stairs.

"Are you okay, Mom?" asked Ben.

"Oh! Yeah, I'm fine. Ben, honey, do you have any plans for today?" Lisa went into the kitchen and began making coffee.

"Uh, no. Mom, today is Sunday. We usually go on a bike ride today and have a picnic in the park by the lake and go swimming, if there's time." Ben frowned again. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, I'm quite well," snapped Lisa. The doorbell rang shrilly through the house and Lisa rushed to the front door.

"Mom, wait!" called Ben, but he was too late. Lisa had already opened the door and wished she had just ignored the doorbell.

"Hello, Ms. Braedon!" greeted Joseph Tanner with a large smile. His pink pastel golf shirt made Lisa want to puke.

"Mr. Tanner," Lisa pulled her own face into a strained grin. "How nice to see you."

"The pleasure is all mine," he took her hand, the same one Dean had kissed, and placed a wet smack on it. Lisa repressed a shudder. "I was hoping that you and young Ben would join me today for a little picnic at the country club."

"Ben and I already have plans," said Lisa brightly in a mocking tone. "Thanks for the offer anyway. Buh-bye." Lisa tried to shut the door, but was stopped when Mr. Tanner put an arm out.

"You will not refuse me, Lisa. You cannot. I have sought you out for these past six months, not in an attempt to befriend you. I intend to propose today and you will say yes," he growled.

"What makes you say that?" asked Lisa with a venomous glare.

"A young boy like Ben does not need to grow up without a father, despite the fact that he was procreated in a biker bar!" hissed Mr. Tanner. Lisa opened her mouth to rebuke when she heard Dean's voice behind her.

"It was not in a biker bar, I hate those places," said Dean. He pushed the door open with such ease that Mr. Tanner nearly fell over. Dean stood behind Lisa with one arm around her waist. Lisa watched as Mr. Tanner's eyes took in Dean and his face started changing colors.

"It doesn't matter!" snapped Mr. Tanner. "It was still outside the lines of holy matrimony, thus making Ben a bastard son!"

"Of me, which I could care less about." Dean eased Lisa behind him. "I'm here to fulfill my duty as Ben's father. So leave now and I won't ruin that lovely gay shirt of yours."

Mr. Tanner grabbed Dean's shirt and pulled him closer.

"Lisa is the only good looking woman around here. I could care less if you were her pimp, she is mine!" he growled in Dean's face. There was a click and Mr. Tanner felt something cold against his stomach.

"I do care, and if you don't get out of my face and leave Ms. Braedon alone, your guts are gonna be splattered all over this front porch. People disappear, Mr. Tanner. It happens all the time. So you leave Lisa alone, or you are going to disappear. Do you understand me?" It was the first time Dean had actually threatened someone in a long time.

Mr. Tanner paled and nodded slowly.

"Get out of here," growled Dean. He threw Mr. Tanner sprawling on his backside of the porch. He shut the door with a sharp snap and turned the locks.

"Dean," said Lisa. Dean turned around. Lisa's eyes slid down to the pearl handled hand-gun in his hand. She heard Ben gasp behind her and her own eyes widened at the sight.

"You weren't actually going to use that, were you?" asked Lisa, backing away unconsciously.

"It's not even loaded," said Dean. He reached into his back pocket. "Here's the clip." He held up the clip and slid it smoothly into the gun. Tucking the gun back away, his gaze fell upon Ben.

"Oh, um, hi," said Dean awkwardly. Lisa whipped around and saw Ben was frowning at Dean.

"What are you doing here?" he asked defensively.

"Well, that's a lot nicer of a greeting than what I was expecting." Dean tried to smile, but his face would not comply. "I know you're not exactly happy to see me, and I'll leave, if that's what you want."

"Leave? Yeah, you always do," replied Ben coldly.

"But," he continued. "Me not being happy to see you?" Ben rushed forward past his mom and threw his arms around Dean, embracing him. Startled, Dean returned the gesture, hugging Ben tightly. Lisa smiled, and she caught Dean's eyes. They were filled with tears ready to roll down his cheeks, and one escaped, coming to rest on the back of Ben's shirt.

"Don't go," whispered Ben into Dean's t-shirt.

"I'm not going anywhere," said Dean. "I won't be, for a long time."

"Ben," choked Lisa. Ben released Dean for a minute to pull Lisa into their hug and the three-some stood in the hallway for a long time.

"Okay," said Lisa, sniffing. She wiped at her eyes and brushed away her tears. "I think it's time to eat something." She led the way to the kitchen and winced inwardly when she beheld the two empty beer bottles still sitting on the island. She glanced swiftly at Ben, whose face was stoic.

"I'll get these," said Dean. He removed the two bottles and they fell, clinking, into the trash can. The three of them made dinner together and Lisa shooed the two boys out later to set the table.

Later, while they were eating dinner, unknown to any of them, a street lamp flickered and went out across the street from Lisa's house. Someone stood underneath the dark lamp and he watched the scene in the dining room with a mixture of sadness and happiness on his face. His eyes roved over Lisa and Ben, but stayed on Dean longer than any of them. A sad smile appeared as he studied Dean.

Suddenly, the facial expressions on his face changed. The sad smile morphed into a smirk and an evil glint appeared in his eyes. He flickered roughly and disappeared with the sound of fluttering wings.