Summary: AU. Ten years have passed since Dean left the love of his life behind. Now he's come back to set things right, can she forgive him, or are all the memories of their past too painful for her to put behind her? Please R&R!
Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or its characters. I only own Grace Singer.
A/N: Thanks so much for all the support so far! I hope you enjoy this chapter! My first comic is in production which will be The Paths We Tread, and the first chapter will be from my imagination since it's only the end of 1x16 and I only have to draw a few settings. I'll refer to the DVDs for the rest.
xxxxxxxxxxx
But Now, I See
Chapter Four
The following day, Grace headed over to the book shop that her friend Chuck Shurley owned, only to find Castiel Novak in there, as usual. There was someone else in there, and his voice was incredibly familiar to her. She was so unused to seeing her friends it was quite odd for her still, even though they were all just as she imagined them.
"Hey, guys." She said softly, finding herself with arms full of who she assumed to be Crowley.
He'd been on a business trip and only just heard about her mother, and before he'd known what was happening all he could do was just go and hold her. He wondered what it was like for her to be able to see him after all these years. He pulled back and ran a hand into her hair as she gazed at him with a wondrous expression.
"Crowley?" She asked, earning a nod from the man in front of her.
She touched his face softly while he watched as she grinned widely and took in all of him. She ran a thumb over his cheek as he did her when a tear slid down her face. One of her most special friends was there in front of her and she could see him, his handsomeness, his cheeky smile that she always imagined he'd have.
"God, you gorgeous man..." She breathed, which made him laugh softly as she kissed his cheek, "You look just as I thought you would."
"It's good to see you." He whispered, "I'm so sorry about your mother, Grace."
She nodded softly and felt the familiar burn of tears in her eyes. She felt the warmth of Crowley's body as he pulled her closer and held her to him, rubbing her back and pressing a soft kiss to her head. When she pulled back, she wiped her eyes and smiled softly at him, stroking his face again.
"It's very good to see you, Crowley." She told him, kissing his cheek, "It's so good to finally see you."
They hugged again warmly, pulling back and grinning at each other. Crowley, for once, didn't offer her his arm, but she still took it as always.
"I'm still struggling with perspective and stuff." She chuckled, "I walk into things."
Crowley laughed softly and patted her hand, leading her over to the sofas at the back of the room. She asked about his business trip and he asked about how she and her father were. Bobby was someone who all Grace's friends had looked up to from being kids, and everyone was concerned for him and Grace what with Karen's sudden and tragic death. Castiel and Chuck brought forward coffees, the four sitting down to chat.
"Dean Winchester's back." She said suddenly, stopping all conversation dead.
"What?" Castiel asked, "Really?"
She nodded softly and smiled, shaking her head and rubbing her temple softly.
"He's fucking beautiful." She breathed, "Turned up on my doorstep."
Crowley, Chuck and Castiel all shared looks with each other. They knew why he'd come back, and they didn't like it at all. To be fair, he was probably back mainly for Karen's funeral, but that element of being there to get Grace back was unnerving to all of them. Even though they wouldn't get involved, since it wasn't their place to, they'd be there to help Grace whenever possible. And just as they were talking about him, the devil walked through the door. As angry as the others were at him, they got up to greet him.
"Oh..." Dean began as he realised Grace was there, "I'll come back later."
"No, Dean..." Grace said suddenly, "I'll go...You have some catching up to do."
She got up and headed down the steps, her arm gripped by Crowley as he opened the door for her and helped her down the step out of the shop.
"Darling, don't go..." He said softly, "Please, stay..."
"I can't." Grace begged tearfully, "Please, Crowley..."
He let her go and watched her walking away, returning to the others to face Dean Winchester again.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
"Karen, if that school doesn't do anything, I will." Bobby said angrily, "I can't believe it! Our baby's come home again in tears. This is getting way too common now."
"Bobby, please calm down." Karen whispered, "Grace is blind, not deaf, she'll be able to hear every word we're saying."
Bobby sighed and looked around as his little girl entered the room, her face streaked with tears. She moved over and gripped Bobby's jeans, tugging on them which caused him to kneel down. She cupped her father's face, moving down to grip the collar of his shirt. She was sick of being treated like a fool. She knew that she was different. She did want to be the same as the others but she knew she couldn't be.
"Papa...?" She began, "Will you please listen to me?"
"Of course, Gracie." Bobby said softly, rubbing her back, "What is it that you want to say?"
"I am different." She said with a little hiccup, "Everyone needs to stop saying I'm not. Because I'm very different. I know I am."
"Baby..."
She pressed a hand to his lips so hush him.
"The other kids just don't understand." She said, "They're mean, but I can handle it, Papa. Don't get upset. Please...?"
With that, she hugged him tightly, hoping that he would listen to what she'd said to him.
"My mama's having Sammy right now." Dean said as he and Grace played with the doll house in her room, "I'm gonna get my baby brother soon."
"How are baby people born?" Grace asked, turning towards her mother who sat in the rocking chair in the corner of the nursery.
"Babies come from their mama's tummy." Karen explained in the best way possible, "The people at the hospital take the new baby out of their mama's belly."
"Ohhh..." The two children replied, going back to their playing.
Suddenly, Bobby appeared in the room, holding the children's shoes and jackets. He was so thrilled for John and Mary, and so thrilled for Dean to have a new baby brother. Since he was so protective of Grace, they knew he'd be very protective of Sam.
"Dean, c'mere a second..." He said softly, watching the little boy trudge forward, "You're a big brother, son. Sammy's out of your mama's tummy now, and your mama and papa want us to take you and Grace so you can meet the little guy, okay?"
Dean's big eyes were tearful as he took in the news, and he smiled, one tear falling down his face.
"My...My baby brother's here?" He asked, "Really?"
"Yes." Bobby smiled, hugging the little boy as Karen took Grace's shoes and jacket to get her ready, "Congratulations."
"Gracie, my Sammy's here!" Dean cried, "My Sammy!"
"Well, let's go then..." Karen began, "Come on, kids!"
Excitement rushed through the children at the thought of meeting a new baby, and Dean knew that he would do all he could to take care of his baby brother.
-TBC-
Hope you enjoyed!
Thanks for reading so far!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
