.-.-. Memory Remains.-.-.-.

Summary:

For two weeks Sam hasn't seen or heard from Dean and his search is getting nowhere. Now he's filing a missing persons report in a small town with a cop who looks an awful lot like his big brother.

Disclaimer - The usual, don't own 'em, just love playing with them. :D

Set late season 2… warnings for bad language and the other typical things you can expect from a SPN fic.

Oh my God, this chapter would not end. It just kept on getting longer and longer and longer... But I didn't have the heart to split it into two. So here it is, the final chapter. I hope you enjoy. Thank you all so much for reading, and for the way awesome encouragement throughout. It means a lot to me.

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Blood Red Sky

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Pushing himself up a little, Dean turned his head to face the deadly little girl behind him. Her eyes gleamed with pure rage, narrowed at him as she bared her teeth, tiny hands clenching at her side. So much for the bell theory… he thought idly to himself, throat visibly working as he swallowed and sent up a small nervous smile.

"Dean!" Sam shouted from below, his call frantic, "What's going on? Talk to me!"

"I'm okay Sammy." For now.

"That's not what I asked!"

He didn't get the chance to answer though; Morgan sweeping her hand out in front of her in one fluid motion, causing Dean to be thrown away from the hole in the floor and back into the tower room where he skidded to a halt mere feet away from where the shotgun sat.

"You just had to go and ruin everything, didn't you Dean?" She asked as she walked towards him, holding herself with the same form a predator would have when approaching their prey.

"You picked the wrong hunter to mess with bitch." He groaned out, working the kinks out of his neck as he inched to the side towards the shotgun.

Her mind so focused on reaching him, she didn't seem to realise what he was intending to do. He was fine with that, in fact, he'd rather that it stayed that way as he moved himself so he was obstructing her view of the gun, his hand snaking out to wrap around it.

"Clueless as ever." She said with a shake of her head, her lip quirking at the side into a vicious smile as she stopped, her shoes almost touching Dean's.

"Looks like I'm not the only one." He snarked; fingers wrapping tightly around the shotgun as he brought it round in front of him with ease so that both hands could grip the weapon at both sides, his body moving upwards at the same time. Using the handle of the gun, he hit her hard in the chest and sent her down; making it so she was no longer the one looming over him.

In the same motion, his right hand slid down the barrel of the gun to rest with the other as he readied the gun before aiming it down at her chest. She lay there seething, jaw clenched, eyes still gleaming and when she didn't do anything to stop or deter him; that was when he realised she was low on energy.

"What's the matter Morgan? Throwing me across the room use up the last of your power bar?" He mocked, though as he looked down at the blood stained girl, his heart twisted painfully. The memories of the past weeks gnawed at him, the image of the pissed off little girl in front of him mixing with the same little girl he'd been scooping up in his arms as she'd laughed and held on tight to him. "You know, Sammy seems to think that the state you're in, a chest full of iron will kill you. And judging by the fear in your eyes, I think he's right."

"Go ahead Dean, kill me." She hissed; egging him on as she raised her head from the ground just enough to prove that she was still being defiant. "But what do you think will happen to all the people in this town? You think your precious Joanna will just get her memories back and walk away from here? She's even older than the wood that built this church. I die, the magic dies, and more than half the people in this town turn to dust."

"It's better than living like this…" He responded quickly, ignoring the hesitation of his finger as it moved away from the trigger for a long moment.

"Living like what Dean?" She challenged him, her voice softening as her eyes did too, the childish look returning as a lone tear slipped down her cheek. "Don't you get it? I'm giving all these people a chance to live happily ever after. I gave you that chance. I gave you a family, a good job, a life that could be full and happy."

"I have a family, I have a job."

"But you're not always happy with it."

Well that bit was true. There were times he hated his life, times he hated being a hunter that always risked his life and never got the chance to settle down. He paused, her words sinking in. He could hear Sam shifting about beneath them, could hear him moving all the broken boards in an attempt to reach the eldest.

"And what about Stanley?" He said after a beat, his voice barely above a whisper, "How did he fit into your happily ever after?"

"That was unfortunate… it could have been a lot worse though."

"Yeah well, I can't imagine how." He gritted his teeth as he spoke, grip tightening on the shotgun as his finger found the trigger once again.

"Dean!" Sam called out, panic tracing the edges of his voice. "Jesus Dean, talk to me!"

"I'm fine Sam." He shouted back, his eyes never leaving Morgan's.

But he was far from fine. He knew it and so did Morgan, her lip curled up into a smile as she mocked him.

"Sure you are Dean. You're just dandy."

Her tone caused him to growl and he refocused the gun, making sure it was aimed directly at her heart. But there was something in her eyes that made him stop. It was the same look he'd seen before when she had raced down the street to meet him, a deep sadness and fear lingering behind a shadow of loneliness. Her words circled his head as he remembered the tears that had stained her cheeks at the thought of him leaving.

And maybe it was the memories that still refused to fade; the need to protect the small child that had pretended to be his daughter… or maybe it was because he knew what it was like to feel so alone. But as she turned her head to the side, waiting for the shot of iron that was sure to come, he actually felt sorry for her.

Growling in frustration, he averted the gun and fired off a round before letting it fall to the floor with a clatter. He dropped with it, bending low to grab the front of Morgan's shirt, and he pulled her up so they were face to face. His eyes flashed dangerously, his lips parted to reveal his teeth as he snarled at her.

"I'm giving you one chance and one chance only. Leave this place and make sure you are never heard from again - or mark my word, I will kill you. I will hunt you down and make sure you are dead. I don't care if you look like a kid, an old lady or a freaking puppy, I will fill you full of iron and watch you die."

Gazing up at him, her brow pulled together as her mouth opened to whisper just one simple word. "Why?"

He didn't need her to expand on her question; he knew exactly what she'd meant. What he wasn't so sure of was the answer and as he pushed her away, turning his back on her, he guessed she had figured as much too. "I don't know but I'd suggest that you disappear pretty damn quickly before I change my mind."

She didn't reply, didn't even make a sound. But as Sam's agitated voice drifted to him and he turned back to face the gap in the floor, she was long gone, leaving no trace. He bent down and picked up the shotgun before stalking towards the hole and peering down at his brother.

"It's about time!" Sam shouted, his brow creased and jaw clenched as he looked up at his brother, "What happened? You okay?"

"She's gone." He replied tightly, throwing the shotgun down onto the rubble before dropping over the edge himself to land awkwardly off to Sam's side. "Job done."

Nodding gently, Sam's eyes grew soft. He opened his mouth, wetting his dry lips with a flicker of his tongue for a moment as he thought about what exactly he could say to his brother as Dean dusted himself off and looked towards the exit. "It had to be done. You made the right choice…"

"Yeah…" His voice was distracted, gaze distant. She was just a kid… or at least that was what she was to him. He just hoped he wouldn't live to regret his decision. She had given him a chance to live and now he was repaying the favour. Sighing heavily, he moved towards the door of the church, listening as Sam picked up the shotgun before following him.

Looking out at the still sleeping town that would no doubt soon be waking, he had to wonder what would happen to it and the people who called it home. His mind wandered to Joanna and he felt a twang within his chest. One thing he knew for certain was that he couldn't just leave without saying goodbye; he couldn't just let her think that she'd been abandoned.

"So what happens now?" Sam asked from beside him as the pair walked down the path towards the Impala. He hung back just a little when they reached it, hesitant as he provided Dean with some much needed space. And Dean was thankful for that; thankful that he did push to talk because he wasn't sure he really wanted to just yet.

"Now? Now we go to Grey's and pick up my stuff… damn bitch packed it up in boxes, even my leather jacket…"

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Joanna was standing at the doorway with a coffee in her hand, thick wool dressing gown wrapped around her tightly as she looked out over the road. She didn't acknowledge the Impala as it pulled it, didn't even look at Dean until he started walking up the garden path towards her, a sad smile on his face as he greeted her.

"Hey there." He said gently, hating the idea of hurting her more and more each second. It felt weird knowing that the last time he'd took those steps towards the house; the last time he'd seen her face, he had been a different person completely and part of him missed the security that had come with being that person.

She frowned at him, a look of confusion clear on her face and an element of suspicion in her eyes. Her free hand followed one edge of her dressing gown up to her neck where she pulled it closed a little more, fingers resting there as she eyed him. "Do I know you?" She asked; a slight quiver to her gentle tone.

His throat tautened at the question, eyes drifting down to the side momentarily as he realised this goodbye was going to be a lot harder on him than on her. Looking back up at her, he offered her his best game face. "I'm a friend of your husband. My name's Dean."

"You knew my Jonathan?" Her eyebrows rose as she spoke, tears already forming in her eyes as her body relaxed and her the corners of her mouth quirked upwards slightly in the same manner he had seen time and time before, always on a person who was remembering a loved one that had passed away.

"Knew?" He repeated, stressing the tense of the word and she nodded, teeth tugging on her bottom lip as she drew in a long breath. "He's dead?"

"Two years ago. It was a car accident. You didn't hear?"

He shook his head, glancing back to the car for a moment where Sam stood watching him from over the roof, arms rested against the sleek black exterior. "I've been away." He replied quietly in explanation, turning back to her. "I'm sorry; I know how much you meant to each other. He really loved you."

A tear slid down her cheek as her smile widened a little and she nodded her head gently. "Thank you."

Clearing his throat, he shifted on the spot, eyes looking behind her and into the house for a moment before looking back at her. "Jonathan, he er.. he was looking after a few boxes of mine. I was meant to be picking them up…"

"Wait, Dean? You're that Dean? Yeah, I remember him saying something about that. I think they're in the garage - you're lucky you came now, I was getting ready to throw them away."

It was when Sam and Dean had collected his things and were on their way out of the town that the topic of the townspeople came up, and it was Sam who brought it up. He turned in his seat, watching out the back window as they pulled away from Joanna's. Dean was silent, distant once again but the sound of Sam's voice brought him back and he looked towards his brother before going back to concentrating on the road.

"She doesn't remember, does she? I mean… she doesn't remember who she really is."

"No, she doesn't." Dean answered simply.

"You think everyone will be like that?"

Shaking his head, he thought about Morgan's words and how she'd talked about how her magic was keeping most of the town alive. At least she'd told the truth about one thing, she was giving them the chance to live. "There'll be some who remember." He said eventually, "But the ones who don't... maybe they're better off this way."

He barely even caught the sad look that passed across Sam's face as the youngest turned away, his eyes gazing determinedly out the passenger window. He took a deep breath before speaking again and Dean watched from the corner of his eye as the dawning sun seemed to make the slight sheen to Sam's eyes more visible.

"I called Bobby while you were in there, told him we'd meet him at the motel he's staying at."

"Then you better let me in on the secret of where that is, 'fore I head in the wrong direction."

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Sam continued to gaze out of the window as they pulled into the new town; his mind still back in Morgan's as he thought about what Dean had said. His chest ached, his heart twisting as he wondered if Dean wished he didn't remember who he really was and was still back there playing the role of happy father. He wondered if maybe Dean would have been 'better off that way'.

His eyes landed on Bobby as the elder hunter emerged from his motel room and Dean parked up several feet away next to Bobby's car, bringing him back to the present and out of his thoughts momentarily. Both brothers climbed out the car and immediately the elder hunter was greeted with a hearty 'Bobby!' from Dean. Closing the door behind him, Sam leaned against it as he watched with a smile as Bobby approached the pair.

"How you doing Bobby?" Sam asked, his hands snaking into his pockets as he bent one leg at the knee and placed the heel of his shoe at the very bottom of the Impala's body work - Dean would kill him if it went any higher, hell, Dean would probably kill him anyway for it just being in that position.

"Hell of a lot better now I know you boys ain't trapped by some faerie spell." Bobby answered gruffly, one hand reaching up to lift the cap up from his head whilst the other ruffled his hair a little before the cap was replaced. "How the hell you managed to get trapped in the first place is beyond me. And you claim to be hunters…"

"Play nice Bobby, it's been a rough couple'a weeks." Dean shot back with a grin, a twinkle in his eye.

"Way I hear it, you had it easy." Bobby teased, moving closer to the Impala and hitching his head back towards the open doorway of his room as he stayed focused on Dean. "So how 'bout you make up for it by getting my bags?"

Dean opened his mouth to object but shut it almost immediately, shaking his head and stalking off towards the room. It was a ploy; Sam knew that as soon as the elder hunter leaned against the hood of the car and looked back at Sam, voice low enough so Dean wouldn't hear.

"How's he holding up?"

Sam shrugged, gaze following Dean as he kicked a stray stone across the parking lot before entering the room. "I don't know; he won't let me in."

"Give him time Sam. He's just been forced to give up everything; the memories will fade over time but the feelings…"

"You should have seen him Bobby." Sam went on, casting him a quick glance. He could feel the tears wanting to stream down his cheeks but he forced them back. "The way he was with her, the way he fitted. I never thought that Dean…" He swallowed the thick lump in his throat, his voice sad as he continued to explain. "I've never seen that side to him. How could I have never noticed that before? I mean, he practically raised me… looked after me, cared for me… he still does. This life Bobby, it's not fair. He should have had the chance to have a family of his own someday…"

"He's got a family Sam, he's got you. Ever think that maybe you're enough for him?"

"Hey! Yabber monkeys!" Dean called from the doorway, bags in both hand as he shot the pair a look, stopping Sam from replying. "You wanna help or you just gonna stand there all day talking?"

Scoffing, Sam pushed himself away and headed towards him. He just hoped that Bobby was right, hoped that Dean really was better off this way.

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It was late afternoon before Bobby was ready to set off. Sam was saying his goodbyes to him whilst Dean sat perched on the hood of the Impala, eyes watching the children's park just next to the motel; lost in memories that weren't even real. He knew who he was. He knew he was a hunter and that wasn't ever going to change but still, he couldn't help but mourn for the life that he could have had along with the life Sam could have had too.

Part of him regretted dragging Sam back into the hunting gig, and it was that same part that regretted having to walk away from that town. But this was who they were. This was their life, this was his life. His lip cocked up to the side as he thought about how crazy it would drive him never to be able feel that thrill of hunting, the feeling he got when he or Sam saved someone's life, when they killed the bad guy…

"Excuse me… mister?" A small voice distracted him from his thoughts and he looked down to see a small brunette tugging on his sleeve and holding up a four leaf clover. "This lady over there told me to give this to you."

Frowning, he took the clover from her fingers and looked up towards the park once more as the girl ran back towards it. But there was no sign of the woman that the girl had mentioned, there were only a couple of grown ups about and they were too preoccupied with talking to each other to have given the girl the clover.

Staring back down at the small green leaves, he didn't even notice Sam joining him until the youngest cleared his throat. He lifted his head to face him, noticing as Bobby's car pulled away from the parking lot. Sam raised his hand to reveal a small pill bottle, throwing it to Dean who caught it easily in his free hand as Sam took a seat beside him and looked out towards the park.

"Iron supplements?" Dean quizzed sceptically.

"Bobby thought they might help."

"Right…" He raised an eyebrow but popped the top all the same, taking a couple before pushing the bottle into his jacket pocket.

"What's with the clover?" Sam asked, his eyes finally landing on the small green object.

"One of the kids gave it to me…"

Silence fell for a moment, but it didn't last. Dean shifted uncomfortably, chewing his lip as he looked down at his hands. He couldn't lie to him, he didn't want to. He didn't want to have to keep it to himself. "I couldn't kill her Sam." He breathed out, "I let her go."

"I know…" Sam replied quietly, nodding as he did so.

That got Dean's attention, his head snapping up to look at his brother, brow pulled into a puzzled frown. "Why didn't you say something? She was evil Sam…"

"I know you Dean. You wouldn't have let her go if you really thought she was gonna be a threat…" Nodding towards the clover, he carried on, "And something tells me she's grateful for that."

"But still… I had her right there. I had the gun aimed right at her but I couldn't pull the trigger. I should have… but I couldn't."

"You listened to your heart Dean. Not everything supernatural is evil… sometimes it's just misunderstood. Sometimes it needs to be given a chance to be good and you've given that to Morgan." He took a breath before going on, his eyes meeting Dean's. "I think she was afraid of being alone and I think she became so attached to being 'loved' by someone that she would have done anything to keep it."

"So you don't think I'm an idiot for letting her go?"

"I might think you're a lot of things Dean, but you're not an idiot."

Looking away, Dean shifted again before sliding himself from the hood to walk around to the driver's side. The movement indicated that the conversation was over but more because of Dean's reluctance to get involved in the deep chick flick moments that usually followed a conversation like that, with the hugging and the crying and… he didn't want that. He coughed, pulling his keys from his pocket and opened the door.

"So what do you say we grab some food then hit the road?" He asked and Sam nodded in agreement, moving around to the other side to climb in.

"Works for me."

"Just one thing Sam…"

"What's that?"

"Anyone asks about what happened; we leave out the faerie part. Okay? Freaking faeries; who'd have thought…"

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Thank you all so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed and I hope you're not too angry I let Morgan live. Mwuahaha... sorry. I just couldn't let Dean kill her... what with all the feelings he still had buried , I think it's just that little bit creepier leaving the idea of a stalker faerie out there.