A/N: As promised, I am giving you Chapter 10 early! This will have to tide you over until after the SEASON 10 PREMIERE! I am so freaking excited!

Thanks to XLucyInTheSkyX, MrsDWinchester-Zen007, XXBlackfireXX, and Acute-angle-101 for your reviews on Chapter Nine! And as always, thanks to those who have followed/favorited this story! Enjoy! :)

Chapter Ten

Crowley never found Dean; Dean found Crowley.

It had been nearly two weeks since their separation, and Crowley began to wonder if he shouldn't go to Moose and work together in their search for Dean.

But Dean appeared. Crowley was at a high class Italian restaurant—not that he needed to eat, but he did enjoy good food every once in a while, and he was tired of chasing false leads for Dean. So, when Dean was suddenly in the booth across from him, he startled a bit. "Bloody… hell," he rasped. "'Bout time you decided to show up."

Dean's eyes were hardened; the lines on his brow were deep. He was looking scarier by the day. "Let's take this outside, hotshot," Dean said, standing.

"But I haven't even ordered…" Crowley trailed off when he saw the look Dean was giving him. He made an overly dramatic sighing sound, and closed his menu. "Outside it is, then."

They were soon behind the restaurant, in a dark alley filled with garbage. Crowley scrunched up his nose. "You wouldn't rather go back inside?"

Dean's hand wandered to the inside of his jacket. "Nah. Too many people."

Apprehension made chills race up Crowley's spine. He watched Dean carefully. "Where ya been, mate?"

"Working alone," Dean replied simply. "And I've discovered… that's how I like it."

Quick as lightening, he had pulled out the first blade, and made a dive for Crowley. Crowley transported a few feet back. He had been ready. He raised his eyebrows at Dean, even though his survival instincts were begging him to get the hell out of there. "Really, Dean? After all we've been through?"

Dean's smile was not a pleasant one. It was cruel, insane. "Oh, I should have done this long ago." He popped up behind Crowley, who reacted a fraction of a second too slow. The blade grazed his waist, and he cried out in pain. That did a little more than sting.

It was time to leave.

Dean was going in for the kill, but by the time the blade came down, it only hit air.

Crowley was long gone.

She tripped, scrapping her knees on the rocks. She didn't care, only got up and kept running. She didn't know what she was running from, but she knew she had to run. And fast. The water was pitch black as it moved in and out, washing bubbling foam ashore.

It was getting darker, as if a giant storm were moving in. Candi was feeling suffocated by it, and knew she couldn't escape it. The ground suddenly disappeared from beneath her feet, and she fell again, rolling down the steep cliff and landing in shallow water, which fingered her skin, trying to draw her in.

She just wanted it to be over. She began screaming, curling in on herself and covering her head.

Then, there was bright beam of light. She felt a sudden warmth, and the water began retreating. She stopped screaming, and slowly uncurled. It felt like someone was draping a blanket over her. She looked up to find the source of light that had pierced through the darkness.

It was the lighthouse. It was aimed directly at her, chasing away the dark and her fears. A figure approached her. He was bathed in light that was too bright to look at. She couldn't make out his face—it was too dark against the white light.

He reached her, and knelt down in front of her. She still couldn't make out his face, try as she might. But his very presence stilled her fears and made her feel warm and safe. He reached out a hand, and touched her forehead with two fingers. "It's okay," he said softly. "I'm here to help you."

Her bleeding knees and scratched up arms were suddenly smooth and completely healed. It was like she had never fallen. She looked up at him in wonder. "How…?"

He leaned forward, until his lips just barely brushed against her ear. "That'll be our little secret," he said. She could almost feel the smirk against her ear before a soft darkness crept upon them, fogging up her mind. She knew him, somehow. Try as she might, she couldn't catch the name, the face that was hovering right in front of her. Yes, she definitely knew him.

The dream was slipping away. Just as darkness enveloped her, she could have sworn she heard the flutter of wings…

She woke up slowly, her mind surfacing into consciousness. Her blankets were so warm…

What time was it?

Candi shot upright in bed, checking the time. It was past nine. Why hadn't her alarm gone off?! She was way late for work at Mrs. Humphrey's! She almost tumbled out of bed, but then saw the date on her phone.

July fourth.

She relaxed, and sank back down into the pillows. She had the entire day off. No Mrs. Humprey's. No Hickory's. Just a day with Jen and fireworks at the beach.

She closed her eyes. Vague remnants of her dream floated through her memory, disappearing like mist in the sunlight. But the feeling remained. It was a nice feeling. A sense of security and warmth.

Finally, she got out of bed, and pulled on a red and white striped tank top to go with her blue jeans. She was feeling patriotic today.

She grabbed a bagel for breakfast, and checked her aunt's room. She was still asleep.

Candi left the house, mounting her bike and pedaling into town. She parked her bike by one of the docks, and walked out on it. She sat down, her legs swinging over the water, and ate her bagel, watching the boats moving about in the harbor. The day was sunny, and warm, with a few puffy clouds lazily drifting overhead.

The Fourth of July had always been one of Candi's favorite holidays. She would go fishing with her dad, and they would have a grill out and invite friends and neighbors to have the fish they had just caught that morning. Then they would all gather on the beach, and watch the fireworks. They never ceased to be Candi's favorite part of the day. It was always spectacular.

She refused to let the loss of her dad dampen this July Fourth, though. While she knew she would be going throughout the day missing him like crazy, she knew she would only ruin what could easily be a perfect day.

Jen met up with her, and they spent the day together. They went to Jen's house, where they painted each other's nails to match the holiday. Jen insisted Candi put on some eye shadow and pink lip gloss on to enhance her features, so Candi let her do whatever she wanted to her face. She wouldn't take out her braid, though. Jen didn't press it, and said it always looked cute in a braid anyways. "Candi just wouldn't be Candi without her braid," she teased, tugging at it.

Finally, when they were both dressed to impress, they headed out to mingle with the tourists. Jen was determined to find a pair of boys they could spend the day flirting with.

She bumped Candi in the shoulder. "Maybe we'll run into that weirdo."

Jen had seen the strange man with the irritating smirk steal her bike, and Candi had had no choice but to tell her friend all about this him and all the annoying run-ins. She huffed out a laugh. "Let's hope not." She didn't feel like being picked on today.

Jen shrugged. "He was kinda cute, though. I bet picking on you is just his way of flirting."

"Well, I wouldn't be interested in a guy who treated me like because it's the only way he can express his feelings, anyways," Candi said, raising her eyebrows at Jen.

She only shrugged again in response, but Candi saw the smile she still wore. Jen was amused by this guy.

"Maybe you should date him," Candi teased.

Eventually, Jen's enthusiasm to find boys caught onto Candi, and soon she was helping scope out any potential hotties.

Evening came, and so did all the tourists. The streets were packed, there were more boats than ever on the water so they could get a good view of the fireworks. Candi envied them a bit. She hadn't ridden her dad's boat out on the water for weeks. She missed that boat. It was a second home to her.

Jen clutched Candi's elbow. They were at a restaurant that had an outside pier looking out over the water. Candi had just been looking out at the sunset reflected in the water and getting lost in her thoughts, when she was brought back to reality by Jen's touch. Jen nodded over at the table across the pier and wiggled her eyebrows. "They've been eying us."

Candi glanced over at the two boys there. One was a total beach boy—the blonde hair, blue eyes, gorgeous smile. The other looked like he could be a wrestler. He had short cropped hair, and some scruff on his jaw. He wasn't bad looking either. Candi looked back at Jen.

"So. Which one do you want?"

"Ugh, don't make me choose!" Jen whispered excitedly. "But… I think I'm going for the hunk. Guy with scruff."

"Which leaves me with beach boy," Candi said. She picked up her burger to take a bite, but Jen slapped her hands.

"They're coming over!"

Indeed they were. They were heading straight for their table, the beach boy's eyes flickering between Candi and Jen.

"Don't pass out," Candi muttered with a smirk, and Jen stepped on her foot.

The beach boy was the first to speak. "Hey, girls. Mind if we join you?"

"Not at all!" Jen said eagerly.

Beach Boy took a seat, but Hunky didn't actually look like he wanted to be there. He took a seat next to his friend anyway.

"I'm Carlos," the beach boy said, extending his hand to shake Jen's, then Candi's. "And this is Mike." He jerked his head towards his friend, total beach boy style.

"I'm Jennifer, but just call me Jen," Jen said, batting her eyelashes. Candi forced herself not to roll her eyes.

"Candi," she said simply with a small smile. She had a feeling Jen was going to want beach boy now. Which left Candi stuck with Mr. Grumpy Pants.

Candi soon found that her predictions were right. Jen shot off talking Carlos's ear off, and he responded with humor and his own stories. They clicked almost instantly. Candi glanced over at Mike, who was picking at his thumb.

"So," she started, "Do you do any sports?"

"Football," he said without looking at her.

That was about the extent of their conversation. Finally, Jen suggested they all go down to the beach to pick out good spots for the fireworks, since it was getting dark out. Carlos agreed, and Jen turned to Candi. "Want to get the blanket out of my car? Mike can go with you." She tossed Candi the keys with a smile. "Carlos and I will find a spot."

Candi very much did not want to be stuck with Mike, but she didn't say anything as she stood and glanced at her partner. "Let's go."

Mike looked like he didn't want to go anywhere with Candi either. So they walked to Jen's car in silence. As Candi was pulling out the overly-large blanket from the trunk of the Accord, she heard shouting, and Mike turned.

"Hey!" he called out.

Two more hunky guys and a girl who was all curves and blonde waves came over. "Mike, where's Carlos? Ready for the fireworks?" she asked, sweeping back her poufy bangs.

"Uh, Carlos found a girl. We were going to join them."

The girl glanced at Candi. "We?"

Mike cleared his throat. "Yeah, me and… and this girl."

This girl? This girl? She wouldn't be surprised if he couldn't remember her name. "Hi," she said, "I'm Candi."

The boys looked like they couldn't care less, and the girl eyed Candi up and down. She was judging hard core. Candi cleared her throat. "Actually, I have to go…" She thrust the blanket at Mike. "Take this down to Jen. Have fun, guys."

She locked the car, gave the keys to Mike so he could return them, and left. She heard the girl say something in a low voice to one of the boys, and they all laughed. Candi felt her face heat up. What jerks. She hoped Jen would have a good time, though.

Candi walked passed all the people who were making their way down the beach to see the fireworks. Well. Candi wasn't about to miss that. She'd just have to watch them alone.

She found her bike, and rode to where she and her dad used to live. It wasn't far at all from the lighthouse, which stood dark and still in the dimming light.

Her old house had been sold already, but the new owner said she could leave her boat at their dock. He was a nice old man.

Candi left her bike behind, and jumped into the old schooner. The White Lady. She smiled, patting the boat fondly, and searched for the key, which was supposed to be under the seat.

"Stealing a boat?"

The voice startled her, and Candi jumped up, trying to see who was standing on the dock, watching her. A white sailor's uniform glowed in front of her. "Oh, please no," she groaned. "Are you stalking me?"

"Pretty sure you're stalking me," the man said. What was his name again? Jerkwad. That's what she'd call him. He gestured to the lighthouse. "I work and live here, remember?"

"I thought you were lying."

"I don't lie."

She stabbed a finger at him. "That right there? That was a lie."

"Okay, so maybe I tell a white lie every now and again." He smirked.

She shook her head. Did he really have to show up here? Now? "Whatever," she found herself saying, just because she didn't want to use any brain power to come up with another response. "Can you just leave me be?"

His eyebrows lifted a bit, creasing his forehead. "You're going off in that boat? Alone?"

"Don't pretend you care about that. I'll be perfectly fine."

He considered her a moment. She ignored him, finally finding the key and jamming it into the ignition.

"Candi."

She looked up, surprised. "How do you know my name?"

"You told me. After you bowled me over."

Candi remembered that now. "Oh."

He leaned against the wooden pole. "Remember my name?"

"Asshat comes to mind."

"Ooo." He sucked in a breath, but that infuriating smirk was still there. "That hurt."

"Almost as much as a pack of soda cans falling on your head?"

"I didn't hit you."

"You might as well have. If I'd been a step further…"

"Have you ever seen the fireworks from the top of the lighthouse?"

"Don't change the subject."

He stuck his hand out, offering it to her. "Actually, it was an invitation."

She scowled at him. "I'm not going anywhere with you, jerk."

"Gabe."

"What?"

"My name," he drawled. "It's Gabe."

"Okay, jerk."

He didn't reply. His eyes glinted in the little light that was left from the moon. He wiggled his fingers.

She stared at him, crossing her arms. Two could play at this game. But as he patiently waited, and she grew more aggravated, she finally pulled the key out and tossed it back under the seat.

"Fine. I'll watch some of the fireworks up there, but then I'm coming back down so I can be alone in my boat, okay?"

"Okay."

She shoved his hand aside and clambered up the dock without his assistance. Her foot caught on the edge, though, and she fell forward, right into Gabe's arms. She jerked away so fast she nearly fell off the dock and into the water. Gabe had to grab her arm to keep her from tipping over.

"On second thoughts, you might fall off the freaking lighthouse," he said.

She shook him off, and strutted off the dock, feeling incredibly self-conscious. She felt him following close behind. They were silent as they walked to the lighthouse, and Gabe stepped forward to unlock the door, holding it open for her. "Ladies first."

"Since when are you the gentleman?" she muttered, but stepped through the door.

Together, they climbed the spiral staircase to the top. The whole way up, her heart was pounding against her ribs. This was a bad idea. A very bad idea. She didn't trust this guy, barely knew him… And no one was around if he tried to pull anything.

They finally reached the top, where the giant magnifying glass and light waited, unused for years. Gabe held open the door that led outside, and Candi stepped through it. A slap of wind hit her. It was cool up here. And the view….

Candi leaned against the railing, looking out over the water. Further down to her right, the beach was crowded with people. Behind them, Camden glimmered like a gingerbread house display.

There was a low booming noise, a high pitched scream as something whizzed through the air, and then the fireworks flared to life in front of her, lighting the world in reds, blues, and golds.

She felt Gabe lean on the railing next to her, folding his arms over the top. "Here we go," he said in a sing-song voice.

Together, they watched the firework display. It lit up the world in ways that were unique only on this one day a year. Candi remembered her dad telling her to close her eyes at one point, when she was little, so she could see the fireworks again behind her eyelids. She had done so, hearing the booming in the distance, and seeing the bright steaks and flecks of light etched behind her eyelids.

To her, it was magical.

She did so now, closing her eyes briefly and seeing the fireworks replay in the darkness. She opened her eyes again, and looked at Gabe. His eyes caught hers, and they were smiling at her. Laughing.

"What?" she asked suspiciously.

He shrugged. "You seem less grumpy up here."

She couldn't resist punching him in the arm. But not hard.

As they went back to watching the fireworks, she imagined her dad standing silently beside her, arm draped across her shoulder, eyes turned to the sky, a smile stretching his lips. He would have liked this. He would have told her they could touch the fireworks if they wanted, and watch as they exploded in rainbow colors across their palms, up their arms, and onto their faces in a warm heat.

And then they would have the power to fly.