A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for another long wait. But this chapter is SO worth it. I had so much fun writing it! I think you'll like it too :) Thanks for all reviews/favorites/follows! Oh, and I have song lyrics in here but the formatting on here messes things up. It turns everything into italics, and I can't figure out how to get extra spaces in there to indicate that the lyrics are separate, so I'll have breaks before and after lyrics. Sorry about that. It's all still part of the same scene, though! If anyone has any other suggestions about how I can get it to be clearer and less messy, let me know!

Chapter Fifteen

It took him three days, but he came.

Dean swaggered through the battered warehouse door, chewing on a toothpick. "Where's the party?"

Crowley stood in front of Sam, who he'd bloodied up significantly as each day passed with no sign of Dean. "About bloody time," he said.

Dean flicked the toothpick away. "I figured Sammy could handle himself." He peered around Crowley. "Guess I was wrong. Always gotta come pull your ass outta trouble."

Sam shifted in his metal chair. "Hello to you, too, Dean. It's been a while."

"It was gonna be forever." Dean turned his attention back to Crowley. "And what do you want?"

"I don't want you to kill me."

Dean huffed. "Sorry, but nothing's ever gonna stop that from happening. Someday, somewhere… you'll finally be stone cold. Dead. By my hands."

Crowley's mouth quirked into a sly smirk. "Oh, really?" He drew a blade out of his inside jacket pocket. "And what if I do this?" He slowly drew the blade across the inside of his left arm. Sam sucked in a breath, then grunted in pain. The inside of his left arm began to bleed.

Dean frowned. "That's a neat trick," he nearly spat.

"Oh, it's no trick, Dean. See, Sammy and I—we're tied. Connected. Anything happens to me, well…" And he created yet another cut along his arm. Sam responded in pain. "So." Crowley pulled a handkerchief out of his breast pocket and began cleaning the blade. "You can see that killing me will only kill your brother."

Dean was silent.

Crowley's smirk grew even wider. "That's what I thought. Now, I'll let Sam go. I just thought you'd appreciate this little demonstration."

And he was gone.

"Dean," Sam said quietly. "Untie me."

Dean didn't move. He watched Sam carefully. "You're not pulling the wool over my eyes, are you Sammy?"

Sam blinked. "What?"

"I don't know, I'm just getting a fishy feeling."

"Dean, just get me untied and we can figure this all out."

Dean hesitated for so long that Sam was afraid he would simply vanish. "Fine, okay. I trust my little brother." His voice's pitch was in such a way that Sam was certain that Dean, in fact, did not trust him at all at the moment. He walked to Sam's chair and released him from his chains.

Sam stood, watching his brother carefully. "Dean. We have to fix this."

Dean looked up at the ceiling in a subtle eye-roll. "Who says I want to be fixed? This is why I've avoided you, Sam. And why I'll just have to keep avoiding you from now on."

"You can't do that, Dean."

Dean lifted his chin, blinking so his eyes turned black. "Watch me."

He tried to step back, but couldn't. He blinked again, and his black, malicious eyes turned to green, confused ones. He glanced down, then back up at Sam. "An invisible devil's trap? Really, Sam?"

Sam swallowed, and backed out of the devil's trap, watching his brother carefully. "I'm sorry, Dean."

Dean chuckled darkly, shaking his head and lowering his eyes to the ground. He peeked back up at Sam. "You really teamed up with the King of Hell to get me locked up?"

"Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do." Sam watched Dean sadly as he began to pace around the metal chair. "I have to fix you, Dean."

"What, with that little human blood trick?" Dean shook his head. "I'm a Knight of Hell, Sam."

"I realize that. We've got another idea."

Dean raised his eyebrows. "Who's 'we'? You and Crowley?"

Sam took a firmer stance. "And Cas."

"Ah. And what is this magical plan of yours?"

"I can't say."

"Can't or won't?" Dean's words came out harsh, biting.

Sam ignored the question. "I have to take you somewhere. Will you come with me?"

Dean laughed. "Hell no."

"Dean. Please." A silence followed Sam's words. "I want my brother back."

Dean watched Sam for several moments. "Sammy, you remember your demon blood days?"

Sam shifted uncomfortably. "I try to forget."

"Well, at the time you believed you were doing the right thing. Same goes for me. I like the way I am. I won't change back, no matter what you say or do." Sam tried to say something, but Dean interrupted, talking right over him. "For once in my life, I'm free, Sam. I can do whatever the hell I want. And I'm powerful. Damn, am I powerful. So powerful, in fact…"

Sam watched in muted horror as Dean inched toward the edge of the devil's trap. And stepped over it.

Dean's grin stretched his entire face. "You can't control me, Sam. No one can. Crowley tried. You tried. And look where I am now."

"Dean…"

"Sam." Dean's warning tone had crept in, the one that let Sam know he was pushing it.

Sam took a deep breath. "Please. Just come with me."

"What, and drive around in that old car for hours on end? Limited? No thank you." He turned his back on Sam and began to walk away.

"You're my brother, Dean!" Sam called after him. "We're family. And I'm not giving up on that."

There was no answer, for Dean had already gone. Sam kicked the metal chair until his toes bruised.

"What movie you wanna watch?" Jen asked, scanning the shelf full of DVDs. "Or there's Netflix. Netflix is always good."

Candi sat huddled in a blanket on the couch. She shrugged. "You choose."

Jen considered the shelf of movies, then turned to consider Jen for a moment. "Nah, we don't need a movie tonight. We need a bar."

"You want to go drinking?"

"Yep." Jen put a hand to her hip. "Are you down with that?"

All Candi knew was that she needed her mind numbed to the terror that had followed her the entire way to Jen's, whether in the form of Netflix or alcohol. "Sure," she said, tossing her blanket aside. "You'll have to pay, though."

"Gotcha covered."

They headed out again, walking this time. Jen lived a few blocks away from a strip of businesses including Ace hardware, a greasy burger joint, and a hair salon. It also had three bars, including the one Aunt Maggie worked at, the Yellow Bass. She'd probably be working there now.

It was the Yellow Bass they decided to go to because it was a quieter bar. Jen figured Candi would appreciate a little less noise and her aunt nearby. To be honest, Candi would have rather the noisy bars and crowds of people. It might help numb her mind, and it would be too loud for Jen to talk to her much.

But seeing her aunt was a comforting thought.

The usuals were there—Pete, who sold old car parts; Mr. Hayes, who worked on the fishing docks; Anne, the doctor's wife. About seven tourists lounged about. A large bass that was not yellow in the slightest hung behind the barstool, guarding the liquor. The bar was dim and something techo-y played softly in the background.

Aunt Maggie saw them when they came in.

"Hey, girls," she said. "Candi, are you alright?"

"Just a bit shaken up. She got pulled under the waves today somehow," Jen said, patting Candi on the back.

"Oh, honey!" Aunt Maggie rushed to their side of the counter and held Candi's face in her hands, eyes darting right and left. "What happened? Did you swallow any water? Are you feeling dizzy? Drowsy? There's such a thing as dry drowning, you know."

Candi pulled herself gently away from her aunt. "Maggie, I'm fine. Really. Just need a drink."

Her aunt didn't seem fully convinced, but she nodded. "Alright. What'll it be?"

"Two strawberry daiquiris, please," Jen said. "On me."

Once the drink was in front of Candi, topped with whipped cream, she felt a little better. Jen suddenly began slapping Candi's arm excitedly. "Ohmygod. Candi, it's… it's the guy…! He told me to go after you today! Isn't he the weirdo you've been telling me about? The one who popped into the shop the other day and stole your bike?"

Candi felt herself stiffen and her heartbeat accelerate. She waited a few seconds, then turned her head ever so slightly to see him for herself.

Jen was right. He was sitting against the wall to their left, leaning back in his chair with his legs stretched out lazily in front of him.

Gabe.

He caught her eye, and she quickly looked away. "You didn't tell me he was on the beach today!" she hissed, her lips barely moving.

Jen shrugged with a small smile. "I forgot. Hey." She leaned forward even more so Candi could smell the strawberry sweetness on her breath. "Is he stalking you?" She meant it in a joking way, but now Candi was suspicious.

"Maybe." She risked another glance back. Gabe was dressed in jeans and a heavy green jacket. He was sucking on a tootsie pop. He smirked when he saw her looking back. Candi turned her gaze to Jen and stared her down. "Ignore him."

"But Candi… he kinda saved you."

"No… you saved me."

"Only cause he told me to."

"Then why didn't he pull me out?"

Jen shrugged. "Maybe he's afraid of water."

"He's the lighthouse keeper."

"Exactly. They don't have to get into the water—in fact, they're high above it. Perfectly safe."

Candi swirled her drink with her straw. Jen looked back. Candi slapped her hand. "Don't!"

"He sure has a sweet tooth…" She winked. "Candi."

"Jen!"

"He's cute, too. Probably too old for you, but that only makes them hotter."

Candi groaned and hid her face in her hands. "Will you stop hooking me up with my potential stalker?"

There was a high pitched ring of feedback as someone took the mic on stage. The bar did karaoke once in a while, but hardly anyone was ever willing to sing. Candi cast her eyes to the stage…

And met the liquid golden eyes of Gabe. He held the mic loosely, casually. "Alright, everybody," he said playfully into the mic. "Time for some good music." The techno was turned off, and with a nod of Gabe's golden head to the sleepy guy next to the karaoke system, guitar chords began to play. Gabe turned back to face the audience. His eyes found Candi's again. She looked away, suddenly overly interested in her sleeves.

He began to sing.

"Is your heart singing out of tune?

Are your eyes just singing the blues?

Dirty records from another time

Some blood stains on your shoes."

Candi recognized it. "Amy," by Green Day.

"No one really knows about your soul

And I barely really know your name

Burning rhythms and posting lies

And a bunch of fools drown in shame."

His voice was sweet, clear, full. She risked a glimpse upward, and was immediately trapped in his gaze, which locked hers into place. She couldn't look away. She felt naked, like there was a spotlight on her and she was the one on stage. But naked. He sang out the chorus in higher, sweeping notes that made her feel lightheaded.

"Amy don't you go

I want you around

Singin' woah please don't go

Do you wanna be a friend of mine?"

He watched her intently, standing on the edge of the stage. She vaguely hoped he took that extra step and fell off.

"Do you wanna be a friend of mine?"

She had to break eye contact. Her heart hammered. He was singing to her. Her thoughts went back to the lighthouse and fireworks several weeks ago. He continued singing.

"Did you tattoo a lucky charm

To keep you out of harm's way?

Warding off all evil signs

But never really kept you safe."

Candi swallowed, thinking of her near-death experience, and the face. The terrifying, alien face…

"Now you're too young for the golden age

'Cause the record bin's been replaced

Twenty-seven gone without a trace

And you walked away from your drink."

Walking away from her drink and the entire bar sounded like a good idea right now. She couldn't believe how he was exposing her like this. She could practically feel Jen giggling next to her. She glanced at Aunt Maggie, who frowned at Gabe before turning her gaze on Candi and raising her eyebrows.

"Amy don't you go

I want you around

Singin' woah please don't go

Do you wanna be a friend of mine?

Do you wanna be a friend of…

Amy please don't go

Amy please don't go

Is your heart singing out of tune

Are your eyes just singing the blues?

Dirty records from another time

Some blood stains on your shoes."

Now he was off the stage, walking right for her. She clutched the side of her chair until her knuckles turned white. "What are you doing?" she hissed when he was near enough. He responded only by raising his eyebrows and extending his hand.

"May I have this last dance

By chance if we should meet?"

People were hooting and hollering by now. She felt her face go from 150 degrees to about 400. She took his hand. He spun her daintily, still singing.

"Can you write me a lullaby?

So we can sing you to sleep."

Now she was facing him, and he put his free hand on her waist. She put her hands on his shoulders. He smelled like cherries and chocolate. They swayed together. His shoulders felt strong. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back, singing his heart out into the mic.

"Amy don't you go

I want you around

Singin' woah please don't go

Do you wanna be a friend of mine?"

Now he turned his gaze back on her.

"Do you wanna be a friend of mine?"

His face was much too close to hers. If she breathed, she was sure the mic would pick it up. He sang the last line, quietly.

"Do you wanna be a friend of mine?"

The music ended, and everyone clapped. Gabe kept his eyes locked on hers. "Meet me outside?" he murmured so quietly she almost didn't hear him.

He didn't give her time to respond. He spun to the small crowd and bowed low. "Thanks everyone." He set the mic back on the small stage, laid some bills on his table, and left the bar.

The low chatter resumed, but Jen and Aunt Maggie were watching Candi. Jen's eyes were wide and glittering with excitement. Aunt Maggie looked like she wanted some answers. "Who was that?" she demanded.

"I don't know him," Candi said just as Jen squealed, "Her super hot stalker!"

Candi rubbed between her eyebrows, wanting to just die of embarrassment already.

"So… which is true?" Aunt Maggie demanded. "Candi?"

Candi looked up at Aunt Maggie's authoritative tone. "I don't know him, but I've run into him a few times. He must have recognized me and that's why he made me dance with him."

"It looked like more than that."

"Yeah, he was totally hitting on you!" Jen squealed. "He had his eyes on you nearly the whole time!" She looked like she was about to bust a blood vessel.

Candi didn't have a good response to that, so she just blurted, "Whatever." She hadn't used that word like that since high school. She stood. "I'm going to take a walk. Alone," she said, looking specifically at Jen. Her face fell.

"Are you sure? Did I go too far? I'm so sorry, Candi, I'm just kidding with ya…"

"You're fine, Jen," Candi said as reassuringly as possible. "I'm just tired. I need fresh air."

Her aunt didn't say anything, only wiped down the counter in silence.

Candi walked out the doors and looked to her right. She looked to her left.

He was waiting for her.