Author's Note - This follows the last six episodes of season three(minus Ghostfacers), I just added my own character into the mix and a few more things. I don't own any of the characters or the episodes, just Apple and the plot following the NRFTW. Let me know what you think. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Review please. (:

About some idealistic future
Chapter Twenty

Dean shot out of bed and looked around. Wait, bed? When did he get into a bed? The last thing he remembered was being hooked to never ending chains. Where the hell did the bed come into play? He looked to his left and noticed he wasn't alone in the bed either, there was an almost too familiar brunette woman next to him. Gently, he moved her hair out of her face and gasped as his eyes rested on Apple.

The last time this sort of thing had happened, a djinn was behind it all. That couldn't be happening again, Dean had been in hell. Was he still in hell? Dean slid out of the bed carefully, trying to avoid waking the slumbering woman. He stretched his limbs, amazed at how good that felt. "The hell?" Dean muttered as he looked down. He was naked, completely naked. He walked to the first door he saw and was surprised to find all of his clothes hung within. He grabbed a pair of jeans, slid them on, then grabbed a random black shirt. Slipping the shirt on, he looked around once more before leaving the room.

His eyes gazed at the different pictures on the walls; they were all of Apple and himself. He paused to stare at a wedding photo. They were married? He looked down at his left hand and was surprised to find his silver ring was placed on his ring finger. Whoa. He continued down the hall and eventually found himself in what must have been the living room. He looked around and out of the corner of his eyes spotted a picture of Sammy; his arm wrapped around the waist of a pretty blond. "Way to go Sammy."

"Babe?" The sound of that voice made his heart beat faster in his chest, surely this was a dream; she couldn't be standing in the same room as him. He was dead.

"Yeah?" He answered, his voice sounded shaky and he wondered if she noticed that.

"What are you doing?"

"Uh, just couldn't sleep anymore."

Apple walked toward Dean and stopped by his side. Her blue eyes landed on the picture Dean had been looking at. "They're really happy, you know? Sam and Court."

"Court?" Dean questioned.

"Yeah, his girlfriend. Remember? You met them at Christmas. She's a great girl."

Dean nodded his head. "Have you checked on Sammy?"

"Um, no. How is he?"

His wife raised a dark colored eyebrow at him. "Why don't you go find out? He's in his room." She shook her head as he took Dean's hand and lead him toward a room Dean had passed on his way to the living room; he'd never even stopped and thought about checking it out.

Apple stood in front of a crib, staring down at the beautiful baby inside. "That's... he's... our baby?" Dean stuttered.

"No. He's a love child, you actually thought he was yours?" Apple asked, a teasing tone to her voice.

"Can I?" Dean asked as he motioned to pick up the sleeping child.

"Dean, he's yours, babe. You don't have to ask permission. What's gotten into you?"

Dean shrugged his shoulders as he gently lifted the baby from his crib. His arms gently swung from side to side as the baby slept on. Dean wasn't sure of what was going on, but he couldn't say he minded it much. He was married to the girl he had fallen in love with, they had a beautiful baby boy, and his brother was finally happy with the girl he loved; from what Dean knew anyway.

"How's his uncle?"

"Sam? Oh, he's doing fine. Him and Courtney actually just moved in together."

"That's great. So he's happy?"

"Yeah, I'd say so." Apple held out her arms for her son. "Samuel Alexander Winchester, quite a clever name you chose Dean," she commented as Dean carefully placed the baby in her loving arms. "They're coming over tonight for dinner. They haven't met Sammy yet, remember?"

"Oh, yeah. Right." Dean's green eyes watched she placed a gentle kiss on his baby boy's head before she laid him back in his bed.

"Come on." Apple tugged at Dean's hand and led him back to their bedroom. The back of Dean's knees hit the bed and he fell; Apple right on top of him. She rested her head on his chest and listened to the beat of his heart. "Who would have thought we'd end up like this?"

Dean stroked her hair as he looked down at her. He kissed the top of her head, and looked up at the ceiling. He wasn't sure what was going on, but if this really was hell, he didn't think it was as bad as he heard it was. "Apple?"

"Yeah?"

"Sing to me."

Apple chuckled. "I haven't sang to you in a while Dean, where'd that come from?"

"Please?"

"Oh fine." Apple sighed as she got up from her position. She made herself comfortable against the headboard of their bed and motioned for Dean to join her. He laid his head in her lap and her fingers gently moved over his face. "Love of mine, someday you will die. But I'll be close behind, I'll follow you into the dark," she leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.

"No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white; just our hands clasped so tight, waiting for the hint of a spark. If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied; illuminate the 'nos' on their vacancy signs." Her fingers threaded lightly through his close cropped hair. She could feel his breath as it evened out. "If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks, then I'll follow you into the dark."

Dean's green eyes opened and they gazed into Apple's blue orbs. He sat up and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss felt as if it were a life or death kind of thing, which Apple found extremely odd. His hand cupped her cheek and rubbed soothing circles. "I love you," he whispered.

X – X – X – X

"Is he seriously still sleeping? You told him what time we'd be here right?"

"Yeah, he said he remembered."

Dean's eyes opened and quickly closed as bright light invaded them. "The hell?" He muttered as he propped himself onto his elbows. "Sammy?" Dean was out of bed in no time as he practically ran to the voices. "Sammy!" Dean threw his arms around his baby brother and nearly crushed him with the force of his hug.

"Dean? Can't breathe."

"Sorry." Dean said as he pulled away. He looked his brother over and noticed he looked extremely well; much better than Dean could ever remember seeing him. "And you must be Courtney," Dean turned to address the blond woman.

"Yeah, Dean. We've kind of met before," the blond replied, her hands coming to rest on her hips.

"Right. Yeah, it's just been a while."

"Mhmm. Where's the baby?" Courtney asked as she turned to face Apple.

"Come on, I'll show you." Apple practically dragged the blond to the baby's room.

X – X – X – X

"How've you been Sam?" Dean asked as he grabbed a beer for himself and his younger brother.

"Uh, good. You know, just finishing up with school."

"You went back to school?" Dean couldn't help but feel proud at that. His baby brother was finally getting the normal life he had always wanted.

"Yeah, Dean. You feeling alright?"

"Yeah, just great."

Apple walked into the room, Courtney at her side, she stopped before Sam and held the baby in front of him. "Sammy, meet your Uncle Sam."

Sam gently took the baby from his sister-in-law with a small. "Babe, I say we should have one of these." Courtney said as she sat next to Sam.

Dean raised an eyebrow as he looked over at his younger brother. "Actually, there's something I've kind of been meaning to do." Sam said as handed his nephew back to Apple. "Court, I've got something to ask you?"

"What's that?"

They watched as Sam got on one knee before the blond. Her face froze as she watched him remove a small red box from the pocket of his jeans. "Will you marry me?"

"And then can we have a baby?"

Sam laughed as he nodded his head. "Sure."

"Yes! I'll marry you Sam Winchester." Sam carefully slipped the diamond ring onto her small finger. "Apple?!"

"What, hun?"

"I'm getting married!"

X – X – X – X

Everything had seemed to go really well that night at dinner. Apple, Sam, Dean, and Courtney talked about various things; Dean felt like he was apart of a family again. It was a great feeling.

Dean's fingers ran gently over Apple's side as he watched her sleep. She was so beautiful; is this what life would be like if he was allowed to live normally? Could he have really married Apple? Dean found the answer to his question was a simple yes; he could have married her.

Sighing, he turned over and climbed out of bed. He walked to the bathroom and flipped the light on. Splashing cold water on his face, he tried to get rid of the sudden intense heat he felt. He studied his reflection in the mirror and jumped as he saw Apple standing behind him. Turning to face her, he felt his face fall; she wasn't there. He looked back at the mirror and she stared back, though she looked just as shocked to see him.

"Dean?"

"Apple?" His fingers pressed against the cool mirror and swore he felt the warmth of her hand pressing back.

Suddenly, he was outside looking at his house. He cried out as flames began to eat at the roof of the house. He ran to the door and turned the handle; it wouldn't budge. He pounded on the door and attempted to kick it open, but nothing worked.

"Apple! Sam! Someone!" He called but no one came. Kicking himself, he couldn't believe he hadn't tried the window. He used his fist to bust the glass and entered the living room. He looked around and watched as flames surrounded the house. Running to little Sammy's room, he threw the door open. His eyes widened as he realized the room was completely empty; no signs of a baby ever having been in the room.

He tried his and Apple's room next but there was no sign of her, there wasn't any sign of his Sammy or Courtney either. Dean felt despair drag him down as it dawned on him that this had been nothing but a sick joke. He felt himself lose consciousness as the flames from the fire crashed over him.

(nothing better – the postal service; i'll follow you into the dark – death cab for cutie)