Dean laid in bed staring at the ceiling. He heard Sloane start to cry. He got up and threw the covers off. They were staying in yet another cheap motel. Not exactly the life he had wanted for his child. He walked over to Sloane's crib. He went to pick her up but saw movement in the corner of his eye. He grabbed the gun he kept tucked between the crib and the padding and pointed it at the figure.

"What do you want?" he asked praying it wasn't anyone who had come to hurt Sloane.

"Dean?" he heard her voice. Peri.

Peri stepped out of the shadows. Dean felt his grip on the gun loosening. HE hadn't seen her in six months and now here she was, standing in front of him. She wore the same clothes he had last seen her in. She seemed healthy and fine.

"Peri, what... How?"

"It doesn't matter. I told you I'd find you and I have. How's Sloane?"

"Come see for yourself."

Peri watched as Dean put down the gun. She walked over to the crib and looked down at her daughter. Sloane had grown. She slept sucking her thumb. Peri reached down and ran her hand though her daughter's brown hair. It was the same shade as hers. She felt Dean stand close to her.

"She has your eyes, doesn't she?" Peri asked.

"Yeah. Peri-."

"I'm not really here, Dean. This is a dream."

"It can't be. I was awake-."

"It's still a dream. But... Don't give up hope. I will come home one day."

"Sam and I were going to take Sloane to Bobby's for awhile. Figured she needed a stable home for awhile."

"You should do that. You're doing a good job, Dean. Don't ever doubt that."

Dean turned and looked at Peri. He leaned in and kissed her. He held her close never wanting to let her go.

"If this is really a dream, I don't want to wake up," he whispered.

"Yes, you do. Sloane needs you."

"She needs you too."

Peri shook her head. It was time to go. She pulled away and walked to the door. She opened it. She looked back.

"Lilith isn't looking for you right now. She's too busy having fun with me. You'll be fine for a while yet. Ruby is coming to help," she told him.

"I don't need that demon-."

"She's family, Dean. And she's the reason I'm not dead. Let her help. Plus, it'll make Sam happy."

"Great, I have to watch those too make out again."

"Yeah, but then you'll have an unlimited supply of things to bug him about. I know you love to see your little brother uncomfortable."

Dean smiled at how well Peri knew him. He looked down at Sloane when she cried. He looked again and Peri was gone.

***

Dean opened his eyes. The sun was shining in the room. He sat up and saw that Sam was already up. He turned and saw his brother in the kitchenette holding Sloane. He smiled. Sam had become a mother hen when it came to Sloane. He fussed over the baby girl more than Dean did.

"So, Sloane, what will it be for breakfast? Strawberry baby food or apple? Hmmm," Sam spoke to Sloane.

Sloane smiled. She pulled on Sam's hair and started to laugh. Sam didn't mind. He loved the sound of her laughter. It made him realize what really mattered.

"Sammy, you're spoiling her," Dean said walking up to them.

"Like you don't. I doubt that the impala has ever carried so much stuff in the trunk. Pretty soon we won't have room for our weapons with all the stuff you buy her," Sam answered.

"Hey, it's not my fault babies need so much crap."

Sam rolled his eyes. He had tried to tell Dean to watch his language. It hadn't worked. Sam was convinced that Sloane's first word would be 'crap'.

"So, we heading to Bobby's?"

"Yeah after we get something to eat."

"Dean, you... You dreamt of Peri again, didn't you?"

Dean was quiet as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He didn't want to talk about Peri. Every time he did all he could think about was that it was his fault this had happened to her. Where ever she was, whatever she was suffering was because of him.

Sam had found out about his dreams when he had heard dean saying her name in his sleep. It was the only time he said her name. It hurt to say it; it hurt to think about her. God, sometimes it hurt just to look at Sloane. His little girl was the picture of Peri, the only thing setting them apart were Sloane's green eyes. Dean wished so much that Peri could see their daughter. Sloane needed her; he needed her.

"Dean?" Sam asked.

"I don't want to talk about it, okay? You ready to go?"

"Dean, it'll help if you talk about it."

"Help who, Sammy? It isn't going to help her and I... I have too much to worry about already. Starting with giving Sloane her bath."

Dean took his daughter in his arms. He kissed her on the head and held her close. He carried her to the bathroom.

Sam watched his brother and sighed. Dean was a great dad; there was nothing to complain about there. But... Sam knew that at times Dean hid behind that so he wouldn't have to talk about Peri. He hoped that Bobby would be able to get Dean to talk. He needed to talk about her sometime.

A/N: Yes, finally the fourth part in the Persephone Series. I've been busy with my Change of Fate story and kinda let this one slip but I brain stormed and managed to finish it. All I have to do is type it up, so YAY! Lol.