Dean awoke to the rising of the sun. It suddenly occurred to him just how beautiful the world could be. He looked at the girl lying in his arms and noticed she also, watched the sunrise. "Hey, did you sleep?" He asked running his hands through her long dark hair, enjoying the softness.

Catherine smiled slightly and nodded. "I know you and Sam haven't talked about it much, but you do know he's ready to get back to it, right hunting?"

Dean knew it would eventually have to be acknowledged, he and Sam had never spent so much time in one place. With the Demon still out there it really wasn't safe. "Yeah, I know he's been itching to move on. It won't be much longer and I'll go when he's ready" he said with a sad smile. "He's my brother, my responsibility, you know."

Catherine's smile lit up her face. "Yeah, I do know." She shifted out of Dean's reach and moved to open the car door and get out.

Dean just stood transfixed by the sight of her in the rising sun. Her strong chin, high cheekbones, and full lips made her look exotic and fierce. She stood beautiful and strong ready to move and daring him to follow. He knew he would never forget just how she looked at this moment.

He jumped out the side of the car and followed laughing as he worked to keep up. She ran like the wind never pausing, just shooting catch me if you can looks over her shoulder. Suddenly, he found himself catching up to her. He reached out and swept her into his arms. And as he swept her into his arms laughing and swinging her about, the thought occurred to him that she had allowed herself to be caught.

"Go out with us tonight? Will you do that, let Sammy and I treat you to a night on the town." Dean said as he brought them to a halt.

Catherine laughed again and said, "Why I'd be honored. Imagine Pa's surprise when he finds out that the two finest gentlemen in town want to take little old me out."

She laughed again and headed for the house, shooting him a look over her shoulder. That's when Dean knew that he was ruined forever. Other woman might come and go in his life but they would never make him feel like Catherine could, with just one look.

888

"Come on Bobby, come with us. You can't just stay home on your own. We'll have fun, drink a few beers, play some pool" Sammy said pleading for the tenth time to the grizzled hunter as he sat down to his TV dinner in front of some ancient text about earth demons.

"I told you Sam, I'm too damn old to be hanging out in bars, besides you all have been here so long a little peace and quiet will be a nice change." Bobby said firmly.

Sam sighed, it's not that he didn't want to go with Dean and Catherine to dinner and then drinks at the local haunt, it's just that he felt like a third wheel. He had tried to back out twice and each time Dean had refused to go without him.

He was headed for the front door when he noticed Dean coming out of the bathroom. Gone were the faded jeans and worn tee shirts. Instead, he wore a simple pair of black slacks and a dark grey dress shirt, the top two buttons were open and the sleeves of the shirt were rolled up, but he still managed to look put together. Sam noticed that Dean was shooting him a questioning look as if asking what Sam thought. Sam nodded and gave him a smile. Dean shot a grin back and seemed to relax.

Sam suddenly heard Bobby exclaim "Wow" from the general direction of the living room. He turned and saw Catherine walking towards them. She was dressed in a simple black dress. Her hair was loose, hanging down her back and she had light colored lipstick on. No makeup, no jewelry, and still Sam would have sworn she was the prettiest woman he had ever seen. "Wow" he echoed Bobby as she walked up to him stood on tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

Sam watched as she walked to the closet and moved to pull out her faded canvas coat. As she held it in her hands, her face suddenly clouded. He could see the battle going on beneath her calm face. He realized suddenly just how nervous she was and he felt so sorry that she would loose what confidence she had if she donned that jacket.

Dean had walked forward to help her with her jacket when Bobby suddenly called out. "Wait, a sec there Katie, girl, I've wanted to give this to you for a long time, but it just never seemed right." Bobby held in his hands a silk wrap in every shade of blue ever seen. It was beautiful and elegant. "I brought this back from the war, It was to be a gift for a special lady. I was never able to give it to her and I've held onto it all these years. I'd be real proud if you'd wear it."

Catherine walked to Bobby and allowed him to place the wrap around her shoulders. She simply reached up and kissed him on the cheek. Then she turned to Dean and Sam. "Shall we."

As the trio walked outside Catherine got her first glimpse of the car, they were going to take. The Impala sat before the house, engine purring, paint gleaming in the moonlight. Back to her full glory, and ready to roll.

Catherine practically ran to the car, she ran her hand over the gleaming paint loving the lines of the classic car. "You finished, she looks beautiful."

Dean stood before Catherine opening the passenger side door for her. "She is beautiful, she takes my breath away."

Sam grinned at his brother's smooth line and began to open the rear door.

"Sammy, what are you doing? Catherine asked holding out her hand towards him.

"I was gonna ride in the back Catherine" Sam said.

"Why? You belong up front with us. What goods a big old bench seat if you can't fill it. Besides I don't want to have to turn around all night to talk to you." Catherine kept her hand out refusing to slide onto the seat without Sam.

"Come on Sammy's nights a wasting. Slide on in; I've been waiting for this all day." Dean said laughing.

That's when Sam realized that everything was going to be alright. Catherine was Dean's and always would be but, Dean was Sam's and Catherine not only knew it but accepted it. The three of them would manage fine.

888

Four hours later saw them stuffed full of a delicious dinner and swigging beers at the local dive. Catherine and Dean had a vicious game of pool going and Sam was enjoying watching Dean on the loosing end of a hustle for once.

The bar was crowded and both the Winchesters were keeping a sharp eye out for trouble. As Catherine sunk her final ball and collected her winnings off the side of the table she called out. "Next round's on me boys; Grab us a table and I'll be back in a minute."

"Whoa, Whoa, there little lady, no way are we going to let you head off to the bar alone. This place is packed and you've been getting stares all night. You sashay up to the bar, Sam, and I, will have spend the rest of the night breaking noses. Stay right here with Sam and I'll get the next round." Dean said as he headed off towards the bar.

Catherine and Sam found an open table not far from the dance floor and sat. Just as Dean came back with the drinks, Catherine stood and held out her hand to Sammy. "Come on Stretch; let's see if all those years in college taught you anything."

Sam looked up at Catherine a sad smile on his face. "I don't dance Katie."

Catherine shot Sam a frown so fierce it actually made him slump slightly in his chare. "Don't call me Katie; its bad enough Bobby calls me that. Now, cut the bullshit, you and Jess were together for what two years. You can dance; no way would that girl have just sat on the sidelines. If you didn't know how before I'd bet money that she showed you. I wanna dance and I wanna dance with you."

Sam stood still looking sad, Catherine took his hand and led him onto the dance floor. Dean watched them go, finding he didn't like the look on Sam's face and wasn't real happy with Catherine for her lack of tact.

Dean watched as Sam and Catherine started moving on the dance floor. He found himself somewhat surprised to note just how well they moved together. As he watched them both move with a natural grace, he could actually see Sammy start to relax. Sam was smiling more and more and as Catherine became more animated, he was actually laughing.

Dean felt his heart clench as he watched the two of them together. He felt no jealousy just an overwhelming sense of gratitude for Catherine. To see his baby brother joking and laughing after months of sadness and grim determination was the best gift he had gotten in a long while. As the couple continued to gyrate on the dance floor to the hard pumping rock, Dean actually started to relax; he just sat enjoying the site of a happy baby brother and a beautiful girl dancing up storm.

Finally, the music slowed, giving the couples on the dance floor a rest as most moved into each other's arms. Sam and Catherine however, started back to the table. They were still laughing breathlessly over something. As Sam took his seat, Catherine remained standing. She quickly took a hit from the bottle of beer Dean had been drinking.

Catherine held out her hand and said. "So, Winchester, you ready?" One eyebrow raised in challenge. Daring him to say no.

Dean almost did, he never danced, and actually to be honest he never needed to. Girls usually expected him to say no and they just loved to try persuading him. Dean inexplicably rose out of his seat taking her hand in his and placing an arm around his waist. As he headed towards the dance, floor guiding Catherine as they went he looked over his shoulder. He shuddered at the glee he saw on his brother's face. He knew he'd end up with endless ribbing over allowing himself to be led. Though when they reached the floor and he moved to pull her towards him, thoughts of Sammy and everything else fled his mind.

Dean wrapped his arms around Catherine and pulled her close. As his hands brushed over her skin he noticed she felt chilled. He pulled her even closer and allowed the rhythm of the music to guide their steps. Her arms were around his neck and her head rested just under his chin. They moved in step with each other. Dean took in a deep breath smelling the smell that he had come to associate with the beautiful hunter, a clean smell. "Why is it that you always smell like, limes?" Dean said softly breathing in what had quickly become his favorite smell in the world.

Catherine lifted her head and met Dean's laughing eyes. "It's my soap, I've been using it for years, and it reminds me of sunshine, beaches, and blue water. Someday, I'm going to find someplace where the sun always shines, and nothing bad happens. That smell is to remind me of what I'm searching for."

888

Sam watched as his brother and Catherine moved in time to the music. Sam knew that he and Catherine had done well together on the dance floor. If he were honest, he would admit to himself just how much he had enjoyed the dancing. He had thought it would bring back painful memories of Jess and instead much the opposite had come from it. Catherine had been so open, questioning him about Jess, forcing him to remember her as she had lived instead of how she died. He had left the dance floor with the realization that by ignoring the things that he and Jess had done together he was forgetting just what it was that had made her so special to him.

He continued to watch the couple on the dance floor with a bemused expression on his face. His brother had changed almost overnight. The weight that he had born on his shoulders for the past weeks had been lifted, not gone, just lightened. Sam knew that the young woman dancing with Dean was the reason. He didn't know how she had managed to bring back the brother that Sam needed but she had done it. Sam only hoped the change in Dean was permanent and wasn't hinged on the girl he was dancing with.

Dean had high hopes that Catherine would come with them when it was time to move on but Sam just wasn't sure. He knew that Catherine had come to care for the Winchesters, but she seemed afraid to bring any more trouble to their doorstep. And if Sam knew anything at all about trouble he knew the young girl had it in spades. Dean and Sam were willing to share her burdens, but Sam didn't think she was able to accept the help.

The song ended and the couple moved towards Sam. Dean's hand was on Catherine's waist unnecessarily guiding her towards the table.

"Hey, Sam you ready to hit the road man?" Dean asked waggling his eyebrows.

Sam stood and gathered up his coat. "Yeah, more than, let's get before it gets anymore crowded in here."

Dean tossed the keys to Sam. "Listen Sam you two get yourselves out to the car, I'm gonna use the bathroom and be right out."

"You got it Dude." Sam said as he and Catherine started moving towards the exit. The crowd had gotten ridiculous and Sam had a feeling that the small bar was way over its occupancy limit. He had his hand resting on the small of Catherine's back and was following her out. He grinned to himself when he realized that the strange object beneath his fingers could be only one thing, a knife. Catherine reminded him so much of his brother, here she was dressed to the nines, surrounded by big strong men capable of defending her, and she had a knife strapped to her back.

"Sam, wait a second, where's my wrap?" Catherine stopped and turned intending to head back into the crowd.

Sam stopped her and guided her into the vestibule where it was somewhat quieter. "Just stay right here I'll get it. You're liable to get lost in all those people."

"Thanks, Sam I really appreciate it. I'll wait right here I promise." Catherine said sitting on a long bench.

Catherine watched as Sam headed back into the bar, she let her mind drift to the dance she had just shared with Dean. She was doing everything she could to fight off the panic she was feeling. She hadn't intended to get so close to the Winchesters, just to help ease their burdens a bit. Now though, here she was up to her elbows in the boy's lives. She had intended to leave on her own again in the next day or so. She didn't know if she could do that now though. Her heart was too involved with Sam and especially Dean.

A loud noise suddenly interrupted Catherine's musings and she looked up. Focusing on the parking lot, she could see out the window. There were several drunk looking men circling and even drunker young girl. Catherine didn't even pause. She pulled her cell out of her purse and headed out the door. As she placed the call to Dean's cell, she moved towards the girl in trouble. She heard Dean's hello and began "Dean."

That's as far as she got when a pain exploded in the back of her head. As the darkness swooped down on her, she heard her cell fall from her hand and only hoped it was still on. Just before the darkness became complete, she shouted "Dean."