Dean closed his eyes and breathed deep against the cool wind that rushed over his skin.

The distance was vast and vacant, and the old run-down shack behind him posed as a stark contrast to how beautiful Bobby's land truly was. Ever since he had taken Skylar out to hunt a few weeks ago for the first time, and the filthy raw sex they had afterwards while adrenaline continued to course throughout their bodies, her attitude had begun to change.

Momentarily, Dean was beginning to regret his attempt at making her a cold-blooded monster…killer like himself. The innocence in her eyes had started to fade. It was happening too fast. One of the things he loved most about his wife was how she had remained untainted by this cruel world.

However, he couldn't take any chances. If there was a way to keep her from being cast into hell, he had to do it…even if Skylar lost who she was in the process.

Today was her birthday.

Dean had thought about what to get her every day for the past few weeks and continuously came up empty handed…until he remembered a day long ago when Cora Evans had taken him aside and placed something beautiful into the palm of his hand.

Reaching into the pocket of his leather jacket, Dean pulled the pendant out and held it high, watching as it sparkled in the light of dawn. The emerald center was surrounded by several tiny diamonds. Out of curiosity, Dean once had it appraised to find that this piece of jewelry was worth more money than he scammed in a year.

He would be lying if he didn't admit to himself and everyone else that he once contemplated pawning the majestic piece. After all, what sane person would entrust something so valuable to a seventeen-year-old punk kid? But he remembered the look of trust in the eyes of Skylar's mother as she made him promise to give it to her daughter one day. One day when she found herself in trouble and in need. That the pendant would somehow bring comfort and protection. To the naked eye, it was just another necklace. But Dean had seen more tragedy, terror, and miracles in life to ever question the power of anything.

With one last glance into the distance, Dean turned on his heels and walked back towards Bobby's house. Opening the screen door, it creaked loudly against the quiet surroundings. Slowly making his way up the stairs, he entered the cluttered bedroom he currently shared with Skylar. Her half unclad form greeted his hungry gaze and he had to breathe deep to stifle the burning desire that was once again rising to the surface.

It was terrifying to think how susceptible he was to this woman. No one before her had ever caused him to break so easily.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Dean lightly traced his fingertips down her slender back, relishing in how her warm skin felt like satin. It was out of his control as he bent low and placed a tender kiss where his own skin had just lingered.

"Dean?"

"Yeah, Baby. It's me."

"What time is it?" she asked, the sleep in her voice heavy.

"Mmmmm. Around six, I would say."

"Why are you up so early?"

Dean smiled before placing a quick kiss on her shoulder. "I had to wish my girl a happy birthday."

Skylar gigged softly, rolling over onto her back to gaze up at him.

"You could have wished me a happy birthday at nine o'clock, also. That would have worked just fine."

"And give Sammy the chance to beat me to it? Never," he winked.

Her bright smile slowly faded, though her eyes continued to shine. "I love you," she said with such sincerity that Dean could feel his heart shatter. It was shattering for the emotion that he felt each time he watched her breathe, laugh, and love. It shattered for their future…it shattered for their mortality.

"I love you more," Dean said, forcing a half smile that he was certain failed to meet his eyes.

"Why do you look so sad then?"

"I'm not sad, sweetheart. I just have a lot on my mind, as usual." Before any more words could be spoken, Dean reached into his pocket to retrieve her gift, nervous of what her reaction would be. Would she be happy? Sad? Confused? Or think he was a cheapskate for not actually spending money on it?

He held the pendant up in the breaking light of dawn, watching carefully as her gaze settled on the glistening brilliance. Her gasp was audible as she sat upright, moving her arm to cover her breast instinctively. One small hand reached out, touching the center with her fingertips. "It's…I…"

"Speechless?" Dean asked, loving the look of wonder in her eyes.

"It's gorgeous. Where did you get it?" she breathed.

"Ummm…well, you see. I've actually been holding onto it for years," Dean began. "When you were little, your Mom gave it to me. She asked me to give it to you one day."

At the mention of her mother, Skylar froze, turning her eyes away from the pendant and onto Dean. It was difficult to decipher her emotions in that moment. He waited with bated breath as the silence drug on.

"Why now?"

"What do you mean?" Dean asked, furrowing his brow in concentration.

"Why are you giving this to me now?"

"I was waiting for the perfect time, Baby. There is no better time than on your birthday when you are officially a beautifully grown woman."

"It's only my seventeenth, Dean. I'm not technically a grown woman until next year, though you can keep calling me beautiful all you want."

"Well, excuse me for trying to rush you into adult hood so I can feel better about the creepy thoughts I have of you on a daily basis," Dean purred, moving forward to graze the side of her neck gently.

With a gentle laugh, Skylar reached forward to bring him down for a searing kiss. Her lips were softer than they had last night and all the passion she previously held had returned full force. It took everything within him to pull back, but Dean broke the kiss, much to Skylar's obvious disappointment.

"What's wrong?" she asked, a look of hurt on her face.

"Are you going to be alright?" Dean asked, choking on his next words. "After everything I've put you through these past few weeks?"

"I'd rather not talk about it, Dean," she said coldly, her body going ridged in his arms.

"I'm sorry," Dean cooed, reaching out to stroke her arm. "I'm just glad to see you happy this morning. I don't want to ruin it."

Dean took the pendant that he was still clutching in his hand and reached around her neck to clasp it. Skylar took her dark locks, sweeping them over her shoulder until the pendant was secured.

"Thank you for giving this to me," she said in earnest, her blue eyes shining with tears that threatened to spill over.

"Promise me something, Baby Girl," Dean began. Skylar remained silent, but continued to gaze at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. "Promise me that you won't take it off. Promise to wear it always."

He failed to give any further reasoning. But something told him that Cora knew what she was doing. There was something about this pendant that Dean couldn't quite explain. But somehow, he felt that it would offer more protection than he ever could.

Dean, once again, found himself at that same house on that same street in the crossroads of America.

He sat quietly on the pink plush carpet, watching her eyes light up with excitement. It was her sixth birthday, and not once had he ever missed a birthday. Despite being less than thrilled that this child would one day be his bride, he loved bringing her gifts. He often showered her with presents and rarely showed his face without some sort of offering in his hand. This time he had went all out with a Victorian style dollhouse filled with furniture. It cost a pretty penny but was well worth the look of awe and excitement he received.

"Would you like some tea?" That sweet voice drifted to his ears and the brightest blue-eyed gaze turned in his direction. Dean smirked.

"I don't see any tea, Baby Girl."

She rolled her eyes and sighed heavy. "It's pretend, Dean. Of course we don't have real tea, Silly."

"Whoa, Whoa," Dean said, placed both hands up in surrender. "Dean Winchester does not do tea parties. Sorry munchkin."

"But…"

"I have to draw the line somewhere. And that line…" Dean leaned forward until his face was mere inches from her own. The little girl did not cower, but rather held his gaze firmly with a look of amusement on her own tiny face. "…is tea parties."

She giggled before resuming her focus on the tiny figurines inside her new dollhouse. "No one has to know. Your reputation is safe with me."

"Never-the-less, I'd rather hold on to what little dignity I have left."

Just then, a knock sounded on the door that had already been left ajar. Cora stepped inside, her beautiful brunette locks falling over her shoulder. Dean clenched his jaw tight and looked away. At seventeen, he was a hormonal teenager who had a habit of fucking anything that looked his way. Cora Evan's was, unfortunately, his type and not yet thirty. The world had played some cruel joke on him when he ended up branded to this beautiful woman's child. He couldn't very well bag his future mother-in-law while his intended bride was still being tucked into bed at night. However, it would serve Ike right if he did fuck the asshole's wife. A momentary grin crossed Dean's lips at the thought.

"Dean? Would you like to come downstairs for some tea?"

He raised one eyebrow in surprise at the invitation. Usually on these visits, he just hung out with the little spitfire and attempted to avoid her parents at all cost, both for very different reasons.

"Um," Dean began in confusion before rising from bended knee. "Sure."

"Hey! Why will you have tea with, Mommy, but not me?"

Dean bent down and tugged on Skylar's own hair, identical to her mother's. "Because she's offering the real stuff, Sky. Stop being so cheap, and only offering me air to drink."

Her bottom lip stuck out in a giant pout that Dean found adorable, though he would never voice that thought. "I could have filled it with water," she muttered under her breath.

Dean followed Cora down the steps and into the kitchen. Apparently, she had prepared for this moment because two mugs had been strategically placed on the island and the kettle was beginning to whistle. Continuing the uncomfortable silence, Dean watched as the older women poured the steaming liquid into his mug, scooting it in his direction.

Dean dumped a large spoon full of sugar into his cup. "What's up?"

After dipping her bag several times, Cora took a sip before speaking. "I like how you are with her, Dean. Thank you."

Looking away in embarrassment, Dean rubbed the back of his neck. "You know what being branded is like. After all…you are married to, Ike. I'm just putting in the effort."

"And that's the thing. You don't have to. Yes, being branded is an obligation and one's destiny…but there have been hunter's who ran from it. You could have ran."

Dean laughed. "you honestly think Dad would let me run? He drug me here the moment she was born and this damn mark woke me up as it seared into my skin."

"But you're almost a grown man now," Cora said with a deep crimson blush that made Dean uncomfortable. "Do you intend to run then?"

He thought about the question. There was a world full of women for the taking, and despite being 'betrothed,' he was having fun with each and every one of them. However, he never let himself get attached because they weren't his destiny. No. His destiny was currently upstairs and counting on him to one day be there for her.

"I'm not going to run, Cora. Count on it."

With a bright smile, she sat her mug on the counter and moved around to stand beside him. At this point, any lust he had previously felt was gone. "My mother gave something to Ike that he was meant to give me once we were wed. However, he completely forgot about it and I found it only a few short years ago stored in the attack collecting dust. I recognized it as my own mothers, and when I asked him what it was doing in a box upstairs, he shrugged it off like it was no big deal. I suppose I should be happy he wasn't smart enough to try and pawn it.

"Why are you telling me this?" Dean said with a wry look, not understanding where her story was going.

Reaching into her pocket, Cora pulled a large chain out, accompanied by an emerald green pendent hanging from the end. Several diamonds glistened with each movement and Dean's mouth dropped open at the site. "This pendant has been in our family for generations."

"It's beautiful," Dean whispered in awe. He wasn't much for gawking over pretty things, but even he knew that something this gorgeous had to be worth a pretty penny.

"I need you to take it," Cora said, holding the pendent out in determination. Dean watched it sway back and forth, not daring to touch it. "For Sky."

"No way," Dean said, holding his hands up like he would be burned the moment he grabbed the damn thing. "If you want her to have it, you give it to her."

"It doesn't work that way," Cora smiled sympathetically. She sat down the majestic piece before folding her arms on the counter and pinning him with a soft gaze. "My great-grandmother started the tradition of giving it to her daughter's future husband. I do believe Ike is the first one to lose it though. My mother died before I got married, and until now…until now, I thought it was long lost."

Dean scoffed, his lips twitching nervously. "You want me to hold onto something that valuable for the next decade or two? I live out of a suitcase, Cora. There's no way l won't lose it."

"I trust you," she said earnestly, and Dean had no idea what he had done to make Cora Evans have such blind faith in him. She took his hand slowly before dropping the cool object into his palm, closing his fingers around it tightly, before speaking in the softest of tones. "It will one day protect her when she needs it most. Give it to her when the time is right, Dean. Make sure she knows how loved she is…always."