5 years later…

I had been back at Bobby's place for a month, after my mum followed a lead that seemed to travel through all the states in America. I didn't care though. Before she left, I had told her not to bother coming back. For nearly 10 years my life consisted of moving from Bobby to mum, and I chose Bobby. He didn't mind though, or at least I think he didn't mind. The main rule was to keep out of his way when he was on phone calls, but even then he let me help with any research or be in charge if he had to go somewhere. Bobby had been the one constant in my life, and I think he secretly had a soft spot for me too.

It had been a great summer at Bobby's. Over the years, Bobby had taken the time to teach me what he could about fixing cars up. So, whatever business we did get, I was able to fix the cars that people brought. It was a good system, and I enjoyed it. I had never been interested in school and this was an excellent excuse to spend as much time outside as I could.

"Here you go, kid," Bobby said, as he carried a drink of water out to me. "Still working on your car?" he asked, as I thanked him for the drink. Ever since I had started coming to Bobby's, one bashed up car meant more to me than anything else. It was a red faded 1967 Mercury Cougar xr7, and since my attachment had grown to it so much, Bobby promised I could have it one day.

"Just tinkering away. There aren't any cars in for today is there?" I asked, wiping at my forehead with a greasy hand. Bobby just shook his head and bit his lip, trying not to laugh at the state of me. I smirked in return, hitting his arm with a rag.

He was about to say something before the roar of an engine cut him off. I knew that engine anywhere. "Sam!" I shouted, running round the house to the front, where Sam and Dean were getting out of their dad's Impala.

"Lexi!" he shouted, and ran to hug me before he stopped short. I frowned, before I remembered I was covered in oil and grease from the car. I smiled sheepishly, before he grinned and grabbed me in a tight hug. I laughed as he twirled me round, before Dean did his usual of ruining the moment.

"Put the child down, Sam. You don't know where she's been," Dean said, his voice deep. Sam begrudgingly put me down, and I glared at Dean. 18-year-old Dean was much worse than any other Dean, I often thought. He seemed to take on the 'I'm older than you, so do what I say' a lot more seriously than before. I hated it.

"We're not 5, Dean. You don't need to talk to us like we are," I stated, folding my arms in front of me and trying to make myself look taller.

Dean smirked and shook his head, messing my hair up as he walked past us. "Could've fooled me," he muttered, and stepped in the house before I could utter a retort. During this, Bobby and John had been talking near the Impala heatedly. I looked questioningly at Sam but noticed he kept his eyes trained on his dad.

Bobby sighed heavily before walking over to me and Sam. "Alexa, me and John will be gone for a few days. Dean is staying to look after you and Sam. Remember to answer the phones when they ring and if there's a problem…"

"Call you, I know," I finished, and he smiled slightly. He ruffled my head before hugging me.

"Stay safe, kiddo," he whispered, before he and John got in the car and drove off. It was only when they had left did I realise John hadn't said bye to either Sam or Dean. There was an awkward silence after they had gone, and I suddenly smiled at Sam.

"Come see how much work I've done on my car!" I shouted, before grabbing his hand and racing round the side of the house to my beloved Mercury.

XXXXXX

"And now dad is annoyed at Dean and that's why he's dumped us here," Sam finished, sat on a box as I worked on the engine. The sun was starting to go down, and Sam and I had been outside talking all afternoon about his dad and the recent arguments they all had. He occasionally paused his story while I ran round the other cars to find parts that could go in my car. Luckily, Sam wasn't as interested in cars as I was so I was able to work a lot quicker with him out of the way, but I still loved the company of someone else than Bobby.

I pulled the bonnet down and sat on the top of it when I was done, wiping my hands as I faced him. "I can't believe you've been going to school, it seems unnatural in our world," I commented, imagining what Sam would be like at school. He'd love it, I concluded, picturing him walking down the corridors with a million books in his arms. Dean was a different story, and by Sam's description, is probably enjoying it as much as I would. Dean had stayed in the house to answer any phone calls, and I think he preferred to be away from me. Not that I was complaining.

"It's amazing, Lexie. I feel so…normal when I'm there," Sam said, with a grin on his face. I smiled sympathetically in return. All Sam had ever longed for was a normal life.

"We'll never be normal, Sam," a voice called from the back door of the house, and I looked up to see Dean with his arms folded in front of him. Sam's face fell, and I simply glared at his older brother until he turned and went back in the house.

I made sure Dean was definitely in the house before leaning close to Sam. "You should do it, Sammy," I whispered, and grinned at his confused face. "Go to college, study, do whatever you want. It's still your life after all, who says you can't be normal?"

"But, Dean…" he began before I cut him off with a roll of my eyes.

"Dean has never wanted those things, Sammy, but you have. So what if you don't become a full-time hunter? I'll still talk to you," I teased him at the end, and his eyes sparkled with the excitement of the idea.

"Yeah, I guess I could go to college. My teacher said I'm doing really well in law," he muttered, speaking more to himself than to me. His eyes suddenly swung round to me and he grabbed my hand. "Come with me!"

I frowned at his words. "Go where? To college?" I asked, and he nodded enthusiastically. "Oh Sammy, that sort of place isn't my thing. All I know what to do is to fix cars," I said, glancing at my Mercury and the other cars around it.

"But, I can't go without you, Lexi," he whispered so quietly that I almost couldn't hear him. I looked back at him and he looked so sad and lost.

"Of course you can, you'll love it. You might even find yourself a girlfriend," I joked, nudging his shoulder slightly. He only half-smiled at that, and when I asked him what was wrong, he just shook his head. "Don't worry about it," he added, squeezing my hand tightly. We shared a small smile, but his words still plagued me for the rest of the night.

XXXXXX

The next day, I went back to banging away at my car. Sam stayed inside after I insisted he get his homework done. "You won't get into college if you don't do it," I teased him quietly, before grabbing the radio and heading outside. It was great having Sam stay with me; I didn't feel so alone. But I did enjoy spending the day outside.

There was something freeing about hearing the birds in the nearby trees, and the rustling of leaves across the ground. During the day the sun beat heavily down on me, encouraging me to work harder and quicker. Night was my favourite. When Bobby went to bed, I used to creep downstairs and sit on the porch outside, just to stare at the stars.

"Oh, Oh, Livin' on a prayer! Take my hand, we'll make it I swear!" I sang as carried on working on the engine. I hadn't even heard the footsteps that had approached me several moments ago, too busy belting out some Bon Jovi. That was until the person hit me over the head with their hand. "Ow! What the…" I started, turning the radio down as I turned and found Dean smirking at me.

"Seriously?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. I scowled at him.

"I won't have a go about your music if you don't have a go about mine," I muttered, turning back around and working on the car again. Instead of leaving like I thought he would, Dean leaned against the car near me, occasionally passing me tools that I needed. This went on for about 10 minutes before he slid next to me and helped.

"Ok, what is it?" I asked, stepping away from him and the car. He looked at me confused, glancing between me and the engine of the Mercury.

"I'm helping you?" he said, as if it was something that didn't happen very often.

"I see that. And that's why I'm worried; you never help," I replied, folding my arms and looking at him suspiciously. "So what are you after?"

Dean tried to look innocent for a moment before he rolled his eyes and sighed. "Now I know why my brother likes you," he muttered, and I ignored the implication behind it. "I'm worried about Sam," he added, more quietly. I slowly unfolded my arms and walked back to him so we were both leaning against the open bonnet of the car.

"Why?" I asked, curious. Sam had seemed fine since he'd arrived, minus his usual sadness about being left again by his dad.

"I don't think he realises the importance of what dad does. He can't keep pretending that he has a normal life compared to his friends at school. I just want him to be ready for anything out there, cause I might not always be around," Dean replied, and for the first time since I met him, I actually felt sorry for him. "You're his best friend, and I know you probably won't try to talk him out of the school thing, but I just want you to look out for him," he added, turning to look at me. I felt very small compared to Dean, but I nodded.

"Of course I will," I whispered, smiling slightly before he returned the gesture. "You know, when you're not being an idiot, you're a pretty good guy, Dean," I laughed, turning back to the car engine. Dean smirked and started helping again.

"Don't get used to it," he replied, and we grinned as we worked on the car for the rest of the day.