Author: Sassy
Status: Wip
Rating: Sadness and possibly MA for later.
Summary: Sometimes Apple pie can have a bitter aftertaste
Warning: Sadness Abounds.
Spoilers: 'Swan Song' the finale left a bitter taste in my mouth- this is the result.
Disclaimer: Supernatural and all related characters are copyright The CW Network. No infringement intended. Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all related characters are copyright Joss Whedon. No infringement intended.
She picked up the picture frame gingerly from the mantel; it clearly showed a very happy man with a woman and child. This caused a deep sense of pain to shoot through her entire being but only momentarily as the obviously happy and clearly ecstatic female brought her a cold bottle of water. She set the frame back at its rightful place and shot an blush at the woman clearly at being caught snooping, She offered the brunette a smile timidly, "Sorry- she stammered –Is this your family?"
"Yeah –well my son Ben and my boyfriend Dean…"
"You seem very happy together…Have you been together long?"
"We kinda hooked up with each other about six months ago-he had a bit of a family tragedy…" The brunette offered only offering the woman a small amount of truth- the tiny blonde woman didn't seem to be any threat but Dean told her in no uncertain terms when he wasn't around to be careful and keep a salt line at the door… a precaution only but the young woman had no trouble stepping over the salt and wards that Dean had installed at and around the entrance to their home. So it was a safe bet- she was as she claimed a woman lost looking for a house that was supposedly for sale on this particular street.
The blonde looked down dejectedly for only a moment, "Sorry to intrude on you like this – I guess the real estate lady was wrong that there is no house for sale on this street- thank you for your kindness and I should probably get going- My friend is probably wondering where I Am."
Lisa noticed the sudden flash of pain that shoot across the other woman's face as she surveyed her living room with a sadness she hadn't seen since Dean showed on her doorstep around six months ago breaking down after having lost his brother. "Are you sure your okay? There's not someone I should call to let them know your lost?"
The young blonde smiled briefly, "I'll be fine- now that I know the truth…Thank you for the water …"
Lisa watched in wonder as the blonde flipped out a cell, spoke briefly and she kept watch as a long limousine pulled up alongside her and she got in without hesitation.
Buffy was silent for only a few moments when Crowley examined the absence of her trademark sarcasm, "What no comment?"
Buffy swallowed absently, "Congratulations –you're the first demon in history to actually tell the truth."
His voice held back its usual swagger, "So do we have an agreement or not?"
Buffy grimaced and rubbed her now extended abdomen, "I need a few minutes to digest the truth…" Her eyes leaked a few tears, "I don't see any reason to not accept now-…"
Crowley smiled deeply, "Good- I'll have the papers drawn up- you know its better for you in the long run and who knows…this could be a new beginning for all of you…you and your two …sorry three kids…"
Hours later exhausted from work, Dean smiled as he watched Ben toss the ball around with a neighbor boy, and this was what it was all about. A normal girlfriend, a normal kid and him with his perfect 'Apple Pie Life' (true technically Ben wasn't his, and true enough Lisa had made it clear she wasn't really looking to extend their family but Dean Winchester had it all… A Home, a beautiful girlfriend and his son (not by blood) maybe he would take Ben to the ballpark again today and shoot some hoops or play a little ball. Dean stepped into the foyer of the small pristine house, he looked around- Yep all was perfect then it hit him like a ton of bricks… A smell that permeated his nostrils and made a deep clinch in his gut, vanilla… a familiar ached returned to his heart briefly, he shot around the corner to spot Lisa happily preparing dinner. She looked up with a wide tooth smile, "What's wrong hon.?"
"Are you wearing a new perfume?"
"No- why?"
Dean sucked in a sigh of relief, Lisa turned the stove off and told Dean to go call for Ben. As they sat down to dinner that night, Dean glanced back at his new family…maybe just maybe his apple pie life was working out.
Chapter 1 Scrubbing Bubbles work hard so you don't have to….
"I'm standing in front of what was once the bustling Town of Sunnydale, California. In a shocking new development that was announced last week from inside sources, A private Corporation, has purchased the township that most remember people remember from 2003 when the town due to an Fault lines and Earthquake caused the town to cave in leaving a giant sinkhole. For the last Seven years the entire town has been surrounded by giant tarps and work crews working around the clock but sworn to secrecy on what developments the corporation had for the former small town…."
Bobby stood stock-still as he watched the news reporter walk around the once desolate dessert that surrounded the small town.
"Do we have any information on this Private Corporation?" The news anchor asked of the slim young woman standing in her dark dress as she glanced behind her several times as they watched helicopters and the like land behind the giant screen.
"No but there is talk of another corporation that has been behind the scenes along with the private corporation…but there still no word on what corporation that might be?" The reporter gave a nod to the camera, "This is Jennifer Anderson for Fox 42 news…"
"Thanks Jennifer…now this message from our sponsor."
Bobby rubbed his chin thoughtfully, and here he thought there was going to be a break from this crapola apocalypse stuff. Something was stirring in that little town, and it wasn't something good, "Oh Crap…." He spouted in the empty house…He better start calling around and see if any of the hunters caught of whiff of something up that way cause the mouth of hell being surrounded by work crews was never a good thing. As soon as the report ended Bobby turned away from the television while some commercial played in the background…
"Care…
Support…
A friend when you need it…
Helen Reath Industries- a shoulder to cry on in today's hard economic times…"
"Hi I'm Bela Jackson and Helen Reath was there when I needed it most, helping me through hard times and helping me put my life back together…If you need someone to help you put it all back together than call Helen Reath- you'll be glad you did."
Buffy watched as her two year old toddled toward her on the blanket she had spread out in the peaceful lake, she gently kept a steady eye on the other while she ran around in circles around the picnic blanket spread before them…She felt a nice thump from her stomach and giggled…"Looks like your little sister wants to make sure we don't forget about her too."
Buffy kissed the top of her son's head while he toddled into her arms with a big smile. "That's my big boy…" Without warning her oldest daughter a couple months past three years toppled her mom and brother over with a big hug and giggle. Buffy smiled lovingly at her two children and thought briefly of the other one that would be joining her brood soon…Life was good…she may be the most unlucky person when it came to romance but her children more than made up for the agony she had been going through for the last couple years. But that was going to all be behind her soon, with her new job as Public relations spokes person – she would be making enough money to give her children a great future and the benefits that went with it were too incredible to even begin to add up. Buffy stiffened when she felt the breeze behind her shift. Without looking around or even visually acknowledging the person, her voice was calm but with sincere authority, "I told you not to interrupt me when I'm with my family."
The voice that spoke was one she was very familiar with of late, "Sorry but you told me to let you know as soon as the document you requested was signed."
"And?" Buffy's voice asked.
"Signed- sealed and most definitely delivered." Crowley held the paper out for inspection while Buffy shot him a glare when she whipped around. "Not the sharpest tool in the shed but we can't risk him eventually reading the document he signed- I only left a copy with Bobby Singer- he was so happy to have his soul returned- we may have a long while before either read the fine print."
Buffy acknowledged Crowley with a shimmer of a smile, "Thank you for taking care of this for me …" Buffy trailed off attempting to change the subject, " Do you know if they finished the house yet?"
"Not yet, but it shouldn't be too much longer…. just putting the finishing touches on the nursery per your request."
Six hours previous….
Dean pulled up to the house; he didn't think he would see for the rest of his life. Not that he had any problem with Bobby. Bobby was just about the only family he had left but when he made the decision to stay out of this life…he was adamant that no one call him and Bobby had kept to that request until the other day when he called out of the blue because apparently in order to release Bobby's soul back to him Crowley needed Dean as the original witness. He could do this for Bobby sort of as a last thing before he retired from the whole supernatural crap.
He knocked on the door with a few raps before he opened the door to Bobby standing with Crowley eyeing Dean with somewhat akin to dissection, "Good now that we are all here –lets get this done –shall we?" He waved Dean over and produced a document out of thin air, with a wave of his hand…
"Now gentleman- read over and be sure to check over the fine print…"
"Will Bobby loose his legs over this?" Dean asked eyeing the demon warily.
"No, that's a gift, a non returnable one…I assure you gentleman I'm not here to take anything merely to handle a formality until I take my new position."
"Really didn't know demons got promotions…"
Crowley smiled lightly, "Well King of the Crossroads has run its course and I found myself in a very lucrative position…"
Dean was not happy about Crowley being there but once it was done he could return to his life, and enjoy things and forget he ever knew about demons and such. After briefly reading the document in front of him and Crowley producing a pen which Dean refused and took one from Bobby with a sarcastic, 'formalities…'Crowley nodded to both Men. He was really glad Dean didn't read the fine print- no it didn't take anything away from Bobby but it was taking something from Dean although he might not want at the moment…he would never be able to get back.
"You both have a nice life and well I hope I never run into either of you… "
"You just stay the hell away from my family?" Dean snorted.
"What family would that be?" Crowley added.
"You know damn well what family?" Dean added as a caustic reminder of what was important to him, "Lisa and Ben my family…"
"I don't see that as being a problem Dean Winchester… I plan on staying as far away from you and your family…" Crowley hid his eyes when they flashed his humor at the whole thing, "And besides my new position won't allow me to mingle with your kind anymore…" Crowley whipped around and was gone as fast as he appeared. Dean Winchester had no clue what he had just given up for his 'Normal Family.' Well off to his new position but first a quick stop to check on his slayer and new project.
Chapter 2 Love and Hate Collide…
A glowing Buffy sat back in the chair, Her back was killing her and even though she didn't officially start as spokeswoman for another month…She wanted to be sure to get her bearings before hand, she was nervous…She wasn't sure if that had to do with who she had been dealing with of late, or the new job or believe or not, living back in Sunnydale…. Who would've believed that her dream job, with all the amenities that included a gated community house in the most elite neighborhood were mere icing on the cake of sorts to a job that not only paid well but allowed her time with her kids, her family. Her reason for everything she did. Her house much larger than the house she lived on when she originally lived in Sunnydale. She loved everything from the service that prepared meals when she had no time to the free nanny service that kept her kids near her at all times. Buffy looked up when a soft knock came to her office door. She was greeted with her Personal Assistant Aimee Donnelly a short; girl with the dark locks was so sweet, of course everyone here at her new job bent over backyards to her. "I thought you were on maternity leave until next month?" Aimee rang out.
Buffy gave her a tired smile, "I am but I wanted to get a feel for my office, wow it sounds so strange saying that out loud…"
"Did you need me to bring you anything, a bottle of water? A file or anything."
"No thank you- I'm of the good, just a few minutes more and I plan to pick up Alexis and Will from the Joy Center, It's the nanny's day off and I wanted a little bit to get acclimated to everything."
Aimee withdrew from the room as Buffy settled her eyes on the couch, as her mind flashed back to the last few months…She had come a long way from the broken girl whose heart had been crushed. She knew what kind of man that everyone, Giles included, was had warned Dean of his man-whore tendencies. But just like any woman in love, she ignored all the warning signs, which should have been clearly evident when he gave an excuse as to why he didn't want the kids to know, he was their dad…just a friend of their moms, not that he had much dealings with the kids when he visited…it seemed to Buffy at least now that the rose colored love glasses were off that she was nothing more than a booty call to Dean, she use to wonder daily if there had even been a day or minute that he had thought more of her than just a convenience. You would of thought that she had learned by now, from the fiasco with Angel, Spike, the minor infraction with Parker (poopie head) Abrams and now the topping on the cake, Dean Winchester. What had amazed her most that the one person she could trust was a former crossroads demon, not that her befriending a demon was out of the norm, cause unlike her ex-(Could she even call him an ex-anything since he hadn't really promised her anything ) who thought there was no shades of gray with demons…there was shades of grays, purples hues of thousands of shades. Crowley had come to her early in her pregnancy; he visited her when she was alone, warning her of impeding threats, making small talk and she could vividly recall the first time he appeared…Buffy hadn't been startled just amazed that a demon could get past Willow's witchfoo magic cause Willow was definitely a heavy hitter in the mojo department
Six months earlier…
She had been sitting at the small cramped office that she had taken; since her days of motherhood began she had been stuck on paperwork-endless and unending paperwork, when she felt a slight tingle at the base of her spine alerting her to a presence.
A man in a suit appeared out of thin air with a look of total ease, "Buffy Summers, I presume?"
"And you would be?" Buffy raised her manicured eyebrow.
"Forgive me –Crowley…"
Before he could continue Buffy appraised him with an eagle eye, "How did you get in here exactly?"
Showing a slight agitation the man continued with a British accent, "Cleveland is basically one big crossroads so it was not hard."
"So you're a demon, you are aware you just appeared in a school full of slayers?"
"Yes, I know but I wanted the honor of meeting you in person…"
"And yet you as a demon thought it would be worth the risk to meet me by appearing in a slayer school?" Buffy raised a quizzical eyebrow.
"I am in the process of changing jobs." Crowley cleared his voice, "But not why I am here…I am here to help you."
"You are here to help me? I wasn't aware I was in need of help?" Buffy snorted.
Crowley gave Buffy a cordial smile….
Back to present…
Buffy frowned when she had a flash of the last time she had spoken to Dean. He had stopped in about nine months ago, He had barely spoken to her when he told her he wanted to spend some time with her…she had awoken to him, packing his bag…just grunting when she asked him minor questions.
Buffy watched as Dean packed his cloths steadily without looking up and shifted his weight with the bag on his shoulder, the one she had woken with him crushing her with when he was obviously aroused and attempting to wake her when he climbed on top of her…She shuddered thinking of the man ever touching her again. She had watched him with confused eyes as he headed towards the door, "When will you be able to come back?"
Dean turned to give Buffy an icy stare, "I won't." With that Buffy stared in shock as Dean coldly turned his back on her and her life with him fired up the Impala and left a teary Buffy in his wake. She had attempted to call several times trying to ask him what she did wrong, why was he turning his back on his kids…she needed some explanation so when the children got old enough to understand she could make them see that their father was not throwing them away like he was their mother but he's remarks were ruthless, when she finally got a voicemail message from him on her phone…those many months ago.
There was no mistaking the angry tone, "Look princess, you were fun…it was great but I gotta a life and it don't include you…you really need to stop calling my phone…" his voice didn't even waiver an inch as the voice mail continued, "I know your looking for a daddy for those brats of yours but We don't know if those kids are mine…did you get DNA test…hell they could be Angel's or Spike's for all we know- you were always yammering bout how Angel and Spike were different…" Dean snorted loudly…. You really need to loose my number honey…" and after that Dean's number had been disconnected. Buffy hadn't needed anything louder than that to get the picture.