A/N: See? Told you there would be regular updates! Hope you like this one.

25

BACK

Dean stood motionless as Anna looked at him warily. They were able to hear the water running, indicating that Sam was still in the shower. Sam didn't take too long in the bathroom, so Anna knew they had a limited amount of time to be alone.

"I'm sorry Dean," she whispered, trying to gauge his thoughts.

"You've nothing to be sorry about. They were my actions and I'm sorry you had to see them," he said quietly, gazing at the peach colored motel wall. "Anna…" he started but this time she put her fingers to his lips.

"Stop. I know you're not like that. It's just…he showed me these images for hours on end Dean. It's gonna take some time to get past this," she whispered. Leaning in, she gave him a soft kiss and brushed her hand up the side of his face. She could see his pained expression; he looked like he was about to break any second now. As if on cue, the pipes silenced to indicate Sam was finished with his shower.

Dean reached out to her, and Anna couldn't help but tense slightly. She loved him with all her heart, knowing what they had been through and what they were about to go through. That didn't change what she saw, and she just needed some time to get past it and move on with their lives. It was something that would forever be etched in her memory, but that didn't mean it would come between her and Dean. 'We're in this together,' she kept repeating in her head. Standing, she gathered her clothes from the duffel Castiel had conveniently zapped her.

Once Anna was in the shower, Sam was towel drying his hair on the opposite bed of Dean. The eldest Winchester's gaze remained on the floor, and he was lost in his own thoughts. Sam however, knew something was up and that Anna and Dean talked. He wanted to know what was going on.

"Dean?" Sam asked, waiting for a response. Dean remained catatonic as his memories that plagued him at night flew through his mind. He had decades of memories from Hell, and he knew that Zach would have made sure to show Anna the worst ones. "Dean!" he heard Sam calling to him and didn't snap out of his depressing world until Sam slapped him across the face. Looking up at his concerned little brother, Dean blinked and tried to clear his head. "What the hell is going on?"

"Zach showed her," Dean muttered.

"What?" Sam said, holding his hand to his ear as if he didn't hear Dean.

"He showed her!" Dean shouted, hoping Anna didn't hear him.

"Showed her what?" Sam seemed honestly confused.

"Zachariah forced my memories of Hell into Anna's head. She's seen it. All the bad shit, the sick, sadistic, heartless, soulless, unforgivable things I did down there." Sam remained quiet, looking down at his brother with a new-found sorrow. "Don't look at me like that."

"I…no…I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Dean," Sam said. He'd had his own experiences with bad memories, but nothing like Dean had. Dean was always looking out for him; including the time he'd made a deal to save him. In exchange his older brother went to Hell.

Later that night, Dean was lying in bed waiting for Anna. She was brushing her teeth after they'd eaten something. The plan was to take off the next morning back to the cabin and wait for news from Cas. He saw the streak of light appear from the bathroom and knew she was ready for bed. Sam was already snoring on the other bed, and Dean was on his side waiting for Anna. She turned out the fluorescent light and approached the bed. Pausing for a couple seconds, she slid underneath the covers. Usually, she would cuddle into his side, but this time she just faced him on her side.

Wanting to give her the time and space she needed, he turned to face her as well and didn't push the cuddling. Truth was, he wanted so badly to wrap her in his arms and have the secure feeling of her safe once more. The worry he'd felt while Zachariah had her captive was torture. Instead, he reached out and grasped her hand. Startled, because she couldn't see him in the dark, she let out a quick gasp but soon relaxed. Bringing her small hand to his lips, he placed a chaste kiss on her knuckles before resting it down on the sheets. They slept like that, hands intertwined and nothing more, then entire night.

The following night, the trio pulled into the drive to their cabin. There was still no word from Cas, and the car ride had been relatively silent. Much to Dean's dismay, Anna insisted in sleeping in the backseat and giving Sam shotgun. She'd said it was because she was so tired, but Dean thought differently. Once they neared Colorado, Dean had called the clinic to reschedule Anna's appointment for the following day. He wanted to make damn sure that everything was all checked out with Anna and the baby as soon as possible without arising suspicion.

Even though he had his own theories as to why she'd insisted taking the backseat, she did sleep almost the entire way. He didn't blame her for being tired, but pressed on all day until they reached the cabin. Right when they got there, Dean had Sam go ditch their stolen car they'd used. Holding the duffels, he watched Sammy drive away as Anna neared the front door. When she tried opening it, she found it was locked. Looking back at Dean in question, he came closer and put his free hand on her lower back. Thanking God she didn't squirm away at the familiar gesture, he explained, "Bobby's here."

After knocking, it didn't take more than a minute for the old hunter to open the door and smile that they looked intact. He first pulled Anna in for a hug and then Dean. Ushering them inside, Dean plopped the duffels down near the entryway. "Where's Sam?" Bobby asked, a hint of worry etched into his tone.

"Dean had him ditch the stolen car. Castiel zapped us to Kansas City and the Impala was here," Anna weakly explained.

"Ahh I see. Well I'm glad you all made it back," Bobby concluded. Dean could hear a movie playing in the living room, and wondered if Anna would want to lie down to watch it. Before he could ask her the question, she started to stumble and held on to the kitchen island for support. Immediately at her side, Dean grabbed each side of her waist and looked down at her.

"You okay?" he asked, and she looked up at him with fearful eyes.

"I…I'm fine," she said, forcing herself to relax in his embrace. "I'm just…" she collapsed and Dean grabbed her small form before the counter could injure her head. Holding her, he looked at Bobby with worry.

A/N: So? Review? Comments? Questions? Concerns? Complaints?