When the glare of the light faded away, she was faced with the sight of Sam on the floor as if he'd fallen over.

'Sam!' She yelled in panic and fear, falling to her knees and sitting him up. 'Sam?' She asked quietly, concerned as she supported him. He opened his eyes blearily, then frowned. 'Dawn?'

Dawn was apprehensively now- which Sam was it-? Was it the heartless beast... or was it hers?

As he pulled himself up, Dawn just watched in silence. Dean didn't know what to say- was he back?

'Sam-?' Dawn asked again, eyes wide and tears forming. Sam frowned, then raised a hand, wiping them away. Then he smiled.

'Not crying over me are you? Silly girl.'

Dawn just let out a laugh of happiness, then threw her arms around him, pulling them close so she could sob into his chest. He chuckled, then looked at Dean. 'You want a hug too (?)'

Dean smiled sarcastically. 'Sure (!)' Sam smirked. 'Later eh?' Dean sighed- Sam was back.

Sam looked down at Dawn, who wouldn't let him go. 'Dawn sweetie? You think you could let me breath a moment?' Dawn shook her head, face still in his chest. 'No. I'm never letting you go again.'

Dean sighed as Sam out his arms around her, hugging her tight. 'I'll be back later on. It's good to have you back Sammy.' He said, seeing Sams thankful nod, then go back to rubbing Dawns sobbing form.

'Dawn?' Sam asked gently, prising her from him. She looked up now, meeting those eyes she'd never see again. 'Oh Sam-' she just said, just wanting to be held. He complied with a sigh- Dawn was having a breakdown by the look of it.

Sam sighed, then picked her up into his arms before her knees went. 'You're being really silly you know?' Dawn chuckled as he set her down on the bed then pulled the covers over her.

Dawn just shook her head, and her eyes were more wider than a small excited childs. 'It's you-' She said, hardly able to believe it, raising a hand to touch his cheek, thinking he was just going to vanish at her touch- he stayed mercifully solid and Dawn pulled him forwards so she could hug him again. Sam sighed, then got under the covers with her too and pulled her close and tight in his arms.

Dawn snuggled into his chest, feeling and hearing his heart beat against her head. It was a comforting sound really.

Sam just held her for the best part of an hour, just wanting to feel him and his presence in hers.

Sam now traced a finger down her face as she stared into his eyes, then he sighed.

'Dawn... I am more sorry than you will ever understand.'

Dawn shook her head, putting a finger on his lips. 'Please... don't.' He sighed, then pushed her down onto the pillows before she could do it again.

'I hurt you so much...' He said softly, regret and a whole range of emotions lacing his voice. Dawn just wrapped her arms around his neck, staring at him still.

'I love you.' She said, hands either side of his face and pulled him in for a kiss. Before, a simple innocent kiss could lead to much more. But now, Sam flinched a little as Dawns lips met his.

'Sorry.' He apologized, backing off. Dawn sighed. 'It's ok... I understand.' Sam chuckled, looking embarrassed, which Dawn smiled at- it was so good to see him feeling emotions again.

'I'm not making you nervous am I?' He now asked, eyes careful. Dawn laughed, putting a hand back on his cheek. 'Even if you were, I wouldn't care.' Sam chuckled, then sighed. 'Man I'm hungry... did I eat much when I was-?'

Dawn laughed, then said. 'No idea. Either we were in bed, or you were out brooding somewhere.' Sam groaned. 'I'm sorry...' Dawn sighed. 'Stop apologizing. It wasn't your fault.' But Sams eyes were sad as he said. 'But I hurt you so many times... I used you.' Dawn nodded. 'It wasn't you. Ok?'

Sam sighed again, then took Dawns hands in his. 'You love me too much than I deserve.' Dawn sighed and sat up again, staring at him. 'You know I do.' She smiled, then got up.

'Where are you going?' Sam frowned, standing up. Dawn called back. 'Dinner! I'm starving too!'

Sam sat there for a moment- she could cook-? That was a new one...

In the kitchen, Sam sat on a chair, watching Dawn bustle around making chicken korma. She was poking at the rice at the moment, the Sam got up and walked over.

'Since when did you cook?' he asked curiously, watching the rice simmer. It actually smelt good.

Dawn chuckled. 'A year on your own does it. Besides- much better than microwave crap.' Sam watched in silence as she tried to open the jar of korma, but failed. He sighed, then took it off her, opening it easy.

Dawn raised an eyebrow. 'You freak.' Sam looked thoughtful. 'Maybe Dean was right- dad dropped me on my head when I was younger.' Dawn had to laugh at that as she turned and put her arms around his waist, staring into his eyes. 'Oh well- it only made you hotter.'

Sam sighed. 'Stop saying that- I don't wanna hurt you again, ok?' Dawn growled, then said, pulling him closer. 'Look- I'm not going to listen to anything you say in the next five minuets.' then kissed him again, tightening her grip.

'Are you really not going to listen?'

'Nope.'

'Oh, ok- I just don't think that rice should be overflowing like that-'

Dawn listened now, then let him go and turned to see the rice bubbling up. 'Crap!' She said, then grabbed the knob that controlled the temperature, lowering it. Sam was laughing at that. 'Yep, you can cook (!)' Dawn smacked him with the tea towel. 'Just because you were distracting me!' she laughed, then added. 'Now get upstairs and get the TV on before you make me burn the chicken.'

Sam just grinned. 'Sure you don't want help?'

'Nope. Now shoo.'

He hung his head in shame, then walked back off upstairs.

Dawn chuckled, turning the rice back up and stirring- she hadn't felt this good in...

Over a year really.

And of all the Sammys to get back... she'd gotten hers.

'Viola! Chicken korma alla Dawn.'

Sam took the plate from Dawn and stared at it- it looked like... well, who was he to judge on looks? He was very aware of Dawn watching him closely as he raised a forkful and stuck it in his mouth. Sam raised an eyebrow in surprise; it was actually very good.

Dawn grinned. 'See? Demons can cook.'

Sam laughed. 'Ok, ok- I apologize. You're really good.' Dawn put a hand on her heart in fake shock. 'Wow (!) Was that a compliment to the chef-?' Sam pointed the fork at her. 'Don't talk too loud- how do I know you've not given me food poisoning-?'

Dawn just set her knife and fork down, then looked at him with a scowl. 'I will slip in some poison if you don't zip it.' Sam smirked. 'Bite me.' It was Dawns turn to smirk. 'I already did ta. Last night.' Sam rolled his eyes and conceded defeat- he knew he wasn't going to win against her.

Which had been the complete opposite when he didn't have a soul. He remembered it all- the times he'd used her... shoved her love back in her face. But, despite everything he had done, she'd stayed with him.

He couldn't... he didn't deserve her.

Dawn frowned. 'What's wrong? I didn't poison it- promise.' Sam just chuckled, taking another bite, swallowing and saying. 'Just thinking.'

Dawn growled. 'Don't you dare touch that wall!' Sam held up his hands, fork and all. 'Hey- calm down. I'm not going to.' Dawn sighed and calmed down- she was a little on the edge, what with him being back and all...

She sighed again. 'Sorry...' Sam watched her crestfallen face, then said. 'Why are you worrying about me? You spent so much time looking after me and putting up with my shit... and I'm truly sorry. Why won't you let me do the same for you now?'

Dawn finished her last bite, then put it on the side table with a sigh. 'Guess I hardened when you... you died...' Sam stared in silence, then Dawn added. 'Death told me something...'

Sam frowned. 'What did he say?' Dawn had tears in her eyes. 'That my soul is fragmented and... I'm just a freak.' Sam scowled, then set his own plate aside, climbing on top of her and going. 'You are nothing like I was. Your warm Dawn, not cold.'

Dawn stared up into his eyes- her own were still damp as he picked up on of her hands and placed it over his heart; Dawn could feel it beating steadily underneath.

Sam sighed. 'Dawn... you're probably one of the main reasons I'm still alive. I remember when I was soulless- at the beginning, I didn' t want to find you. Dean made me...' He raised the hand that was on his heart to his lips, saying. 'And I am so glad he did... I love you Dawn. I really do.'

And that was what Dawn had been looking forward to hearing; what she needed to hear- that he loved her.

She reached up and pressed her lips to his again, wrapping her arms around his neck. Sam didn't back of this time, and Dawn knew he was as happy and blissed out to have each other again. Dawn moved her hands from his neck to his top button, swiftly undoing it.

But as he took of her own shirt, Sam frowned and then froze as he realized.

Dawn stopped at the last button, the looked at him with a frown. 'What's wrong-?' Sam just stared at Dawns bare shoulders- the one on the right. 'I almost forgot...' he said softly, running a hand over the scars the hellhound had left... so very long ago. They were still there, jagged and slightly uneven all the way down to the middle of her back. Dawn sighed, batting his hand away. 'Dont mention those...'

Sam sighed. 'Why? Your always beautiful in my eyes.' Dawn smiled a little. 'Well, this is getting all mushy now. We're in serious danger in sounding like that idiotic pair from Twilight.' Sam laughed. 'Thanks for putting that image in my head (!)' Dawn grinned. 'Anytime.'

Sam chuckled again and raised a hand to her face. 'What would I do without you?' Dawn looked thoughtful. 'Well, you'd be very bored.' Sam grinned, then pulled Dawn back to him. She finally undid the last button and removed his shirt, feeling as if she...

'Sam stop.'

He frowned, the broke away. 'What's wrong-?' She sighed, putting her head against his bare chest. 'I'm sorry...' she just said with another sigh. Sam frowned. 'Was it something I-?'

Dawn shook her head. 'No, it's me... I'm not used to this... it's usually a lot more-' she didn't finish, but Sam sighed and understood. 'No it's my fault...'

Dawn growled now. 'Why are we playing this game? The blame game? It's pathetic!' Sam just stared for a moment, but then backed off. But before he could properly, she yanked him back down.

'I'm not saying I... I'm just saying that I became so used to that other version of you... this is so...' She sighed, putting her head back against the pillow. 'Guess I liked it too much... those nights...'

Sam sighed now. 'Dawn...' but she just said. 'Told you there was something really, really fucked up about me. I'm part demon Sam! My mother was the very first demon! I...' She shook her head and went to get up, but Sam pushed her back down, going.

'Now you listen Dawn Hale. You are not screwed up! You're the one who-' but Dawn had already pulled him back to her, silencing him.

Then she sighed. 'Let's not do anything tonight, yeah? I'm really... not in the mood...'

Sam nodded. 'Of course-' then got of her, giving her the soft pink top back, but she just raised an eyebrow. 'What?' Sam frowned. 'I thought you-?' She scoffed, then grabbed the shirt and threw it to the other side of the room, then said. 'Men (!)' Sam chuckled. 'I could say the same about you actually. '

Dawns jaw dropped. 'Are you calling me a man-!' Sam winked. 'Maybe.' Dawn growled, then grinned. 'God I hate you.' Sam chuckled and got under the covers with her, their legs twining together. Dawn snuggled into his chest closing her eyes and sighing contentedly.

This was what she had been waiting for... a chance to be with him at last. Completely at peace and blissful in his protective encircling arms.

As she fell asleep in his arms, all the lights went out...

And not even the Apocalypse could ruin the moment.

Yay! Sam's back! Finally things are starting to look up for Dawn(: but there's still something comflicting between them:( lets hope it all sorts out next chapter. Next up soon! X Nic&Ana