Author's Note: One of these days I won't have to start my note for apologizing for a long delay but today is not that day. Once again, I am so sorry for my delay in posting. I've explained in the past that my mental health really affects my ability to write and that has not changed. I've had a relatively good month however, so I was finally able to finish this chapter. I've been working on it for a year. I'm so relieved to have it done. Hopefully it was worth the wait. I put a lot of pressure on myself to make it a good one. I feel pretty happy with it, but it will crush me if everyone thinks it sucks. I am definitely out of practice, but I did my best, especially since this chapter really differs from all the others I wrote. It is focused pretty much completely on my OC. I took a risk not including the boys much in this chapter since I believe this is a popular episode. I'm hoping you all like Fallon enough to forgive the lack of Sam and Dean. They're in there a little. I promise. I also want to announce that the next chapter is the final chapter for season two of Supernatural and this fic. Just like I did after season one I will be starting the next season of the show under a new story. That might sound really crazy but I know I am a lot less likely to read a fic that has hundreds of chapters than one that has 20 so I am breaking up the seasons. If you want to continue following Fallon, Sam, and Dean please watch for my new fic. It will be titled There's No Time For Us. I will begin working on it immediately after I finish season 2. I am expecting there to be one final chapter for this fic at this moment. There is a slight chance I may need to break the finale into two chapters, but I think can keep it to one. If anyone is still reading this fic thank you for sticking with me. I am really going to try to update more frequently. Reviews make me happy and motivate me so if you have time please leave me one. I love feedback!
Trigger Warning: There is mention of sexual assault and suicide in this chapter. They aren't overly graphic but please be cautious if this material bothers you. Please protect your own well being. If you need to skip that part of the chapter or skip the chapter completely that is okay. I do not want to cause anyone harm or upset.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Supernatural. All rights belong to the creator's, writer's, and producers of the show.
Fallon stared blankly out of the passenger side window as Dean drove through the empty countryside. She was supposed to be helping him look for any place or anything suspicious that might correspond with a string of disappearances that had happened lately, but in truth she wasn't really paying attention. After telling Sam and Dean everything that had happened between her and Evan she had checked out of reality. It was easier than trying to pretend she was okay. She spent her days either entirely in the boys' motel room or curled up in the backseat of the Impala. She didn't do much talking. She knew both brothers were very worried about her, but they didn't seem to know what to do.
She hadn't participated in a hunt since telling them all that had happened until now. Though she didn't think sitting mindlessly in the Impala while she was supposed to be looking for signs of an abduction or struggle counted as participation. When Dean had suggested she go with him and Sam had enthusiastically encouraged her to do so she knew it was only because they were desperate to bring her back to herself. She felt guilt begin to gnaw in her stomach. She didn't want to worry the boys. She knew she needed to pull herself out of this depression and go back to pretending everything was okay, but it had been so hard the first time, and things had changed so much since then. She didn't know if she could do it. Still, she had to try. Turning her head away from the window and onto Dean she tuned into his and Sam's conversation. Her powers were a little rusty after a break from using them. Sam sounded very faint through the phone, but she could still hear him.
"We're hunting a Djinn," he explained to Dean.
"A freaking genie?!" Dean exclaimed. "You think these suckers can really grant wishes?" He turned towards Fallon and was surprised to see her listening.
"I don't know," Sam answered. "I guess they're powerful enough, but not exactly like Barbara Eden in harem pants. I mean, Djinn have been feeding off people for centuries. They're all over the Koran."
"My God," Dean sighed. "Barbara Eden was hot, wasn't she? Way hotter than that Bewitched chick." He shot Fallon a hopeful smile. She tried to arrange her face into an amused expression, but she must not have been successful because his smile slowly dropped into a frown, worried look replacing his happy expression.
"Are you listening to me?" Sam asked annoyed.
"Yeah," Dean sighed. "So uh, where do Djinn's lair up?"
"Ruins usually," Sam replied. "The bigger the better. There are more places to hide."
"You know, I think I saw a place a few miles back," Dean said perking back up. "I'm gonna go check it out."
"Wait…come pick me up first!"
"Naw, I'm sure it's nothing," Dean said. "I just want to take a look around. Besides, Fallon is with me." He hung up the phone and glanced over at her again. "You good to come in with me?"
"Yes," Fallon answered.
Dean's eyes lit up in excitement. "Great!" He turned the car around and, in a few minutes, they pulled up to an old, abandoned building. It looked like it used to be a factory or office building. They got out of the car and walked to the entrance. Fallon entered a step behind Dean and they began to search through the building. She was trying to use her power to see if she could feel another presence, but after weeks of not using it, she was having trouble pinpointing where the presence was.
Suddenly, a being rushed out of nowhere and attacked Dean. Fallon tried to use her power to push the creature off him, but he didn't even budge. The creature got Dean's knife off him and she saw its hand glow before touching the side of Dean's head. Dean fell unconscious.
"Dean!" she cried finally snapping completely into the present. She raised her hand again to attack the Djinn but it outmaneuvered her and she suddenly found herself pinned to the wall unable to move. It stalked towards her and stopped right in front of her. It studied her for a few moments.
"So much pain, Spirit," it said in a deep, raspy voice. "I can take it all away from you." Its palm began to glow again, and its eyes, and before Fallon could do anything else she too lost consciousness.
Fallon woke with a start, immediately rising into a sitting position. The abrupt movement disrupted a few pillows and they fell off the bed. Pillows? Bed? Fallon glanced around her and felt her heartbeat quicken as she took in an unfamiliar room. How did she get here? Who brought her here? What had happened to…she frowned as she tried to remember what had happened. She had been with someone else, hadn't she?
"Okay, deep breaths, Fallon," she ordered herself. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. When she opened her eyes, she glanced more calmly around the room. On her second inspection she realized that it wasn't exactly unfamiliar. The last time she had resided in it the walls had still been white, rather than a pale blue. Mason and her hadn't been able to decide on a color. They had been between this and a light grey. She felt a little smug that she won, though she didn't remember resolving that fight.
The navy-blue comforter was familiar too. And so were the pictures scattered on the chest and dresser. She pulled one off the nightstand and stared at it. It was a picture of her and Veda. They were standing on a beach, beer bottles raised in a toast. She'd never seen it before. She didn't remember going to the beach with her sister. She slid out of bed and walked around the room looking at all the pictures. Some she remembered, but others were new to her. She stopped at a picture of her and Mason. It was a selfie they'd taken together. She didn't remember taking this photo, but she knew where it was taken, at the treehouse in Nay Aug Park. It was one of their favorite spots. They were both smiling brightly in the picture. Fallon had her left hand raised up and displayed for the picture. A gorgeous engagement ring was on her ring finger.
She glanced down at her hand and saw she was wearing it now also. It was a platinum ring with a huge oval diamond. Smaller diamonds adorned the band almost all the way around. It was exactly what she would have picked out for herself. She wondered if she had or if the proposal had been a total surprise. Mason always had known her well. Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around her waist. Startled, Fallon snapped her head back into the person who'd grabbed her and whirled around to face them.
"Christ!" the man hissed bringing a hand to his nose. Fallon stared in shock at the man, taking in his shocking blonde hair, and, when he glanced back at her, his bright blue eyes.
"Mason?" she whispered, shocked.
"Yeah, who else? Fallon, what…" he didn't get another word in as she quickly threw her arms around his neck.
"Oh my god, Mason!" she cried. "I never thought I'd see you again."
She felt Mason tense for a moment before his arms wrapped tightly around her again, holding her close. "You had one of your nightmares again, didn't you?"
Fallon frowned and pushed back so she could look up at Mason's face. "What? What are you talking about? What nightmares?"
Mason sighed and led her back to the bed, pulling her down next to him. "It's okay. You're always confused after having one."
"Mason, could you stop patronizing me and explain what the hell you're talking about?" she snapped.
An amused smile appeared on Mason's face. "They have no effect on your acerbic personality however," he teased, but she was having none of it.
"Mason!"
"Okay. Okay," Mason soothed. "You get these nightmares from time to time. You think they're memories, but they never happened. Your psychiatrist said it's part of your PTSD."
"What memories?" Fallon asked.
"Dreams, Fallon," Mason corrected her. "They never happened. They're just…"
"Mason, what memories…dreams… are you talking about?" she snapped.
A sad expression filled Mason's face. "You dream that Evan killed you."
"He did," Fallon said looking at Mason like he'd grown two heads. "He killed me when we went to see Washington D.C. I've spent almost the past three years as a ghost." He was looking at her with a sad, but patient look on his face, like he'd heard this story before. His expression pissed her off. He was beginning to make her feel crazy. "This happened, Mason! I've been a ghost and I…" She stopped abruptly as she realized she couldn't remember the rest of it. It felt like the memories were there but they were stuck behind a barrier in her mind. She couldn't reach them.
"You can never remember the entirety of your dreams," Mason explained. She glanced at Mason and then back around the room. She only remembered living in it for two weeks before their fateful trip to D.C., but seeing it now, she could tell they'd been residing in it for a while, maybe even years.
"Dreams, you say?" she asked, voice sounding unsure.
Mason nodded, a look of relief crossing his face. "Yes. They're just dreams."
Fallon sighed in aggravation and threw herself down across the bed and stared up at the ceiling. "Great! I'm crazy."
Mason laughed and lied down next to her, propping himself up on an elbow so he could look at her face. "You're not crazy," he assured her. "You've just been through a lot."
Fallon looked away from the ceiling and into Mason's face. "What happened to Evan?"
Mason's expression darkened. "Nothing he didn't deserve," he growled.
"Mase, what…"
"He's dead," Mason replied.
"What?!" Fallon cried, and then a horrible thought filled her mind. "Did I kill him?"
"What? No!" Mason said soothingly brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "He killed himself."
"What happened?" she asked. "Mason, I need to know."
He sighed and took her right hand in one of his. "He showed up in D.C. on our trip. He wanted to meet with you alone. He wanted to talk to you about something."
"I remember that," Fallon said. "I went to meet him…"
Mason shook his head. "You didn't meet with him." Fallon frowned at him confused. "You wanted to meet with him, but I convinced you not to go. I convinced you it was time to bring the whole Evan situation to the police. I felt it was getting dangerous. You called Evan and told him you wouldn't meet with him and that you'd be going to the police when we got home to report his stalking you."
"And that made him kill himself?" Fallon asked.
"No," Mason said. "God, I wish that was it, but no. That's not when he killed himself."
"Mason, what the hell happened?"
"You were upset after that call," Mason said. "Evan had gotten angry. I could hear him shouting abuses at you over the phone. I took it off you and told him he better not ever call you again and I hung up on him. We had been planning on going out for dinner, but you just wanted to lie down after that call. I placed an order at a Chinese restaurant and went out to pick it up. I thought you were safe. If I had realized what Evan would do…"
"Mase," Fallon said rising on an elbow so she could touch his face. She brushed his hair back off his forehead. "What happened wasn't your fault."
"I know," he said. "But, Fallon, if I had been there…"
"I wouldn't be the nutcase I am now?" she teased.
"You're not nuts," he told her firmly, and then sighed. "Do you really want to know the rest?"
"I need to know," Fallon said.
Mason nodded. "Evan showed up at our room while I was gone," he explained. "You thought he was me, back with our food. You thought I was having trouble opening the door so you let him in. You got into a fight with each other and when you demanded he leave he attacked you." Mason covered his face with his hand. "Everyone told me I got to you just in time, but I got to you far too late."
"No, you didn't," Fallon said gently pulling his hand away so she could look him in his eyes. "You got to me in time. I'm still here."
"Thank God for that," Mason whispered and kissed her.
When he pulled away Fallon smiled softly at him. "Thank you for that you mean. What happened when you got back?"
"I heard the struggle before I even got to the door. I dropped the food and ran to our room and by some miracle got the hotel key in the slot in one try. When I pulled open the door you were on the floor with your pants pulled down to your knees. He was leaning over you with his hands wrapped around your throat. He was…"
"Stop please," Fallon whispered trying to shove the image of the time she remembered Evan leaning over her.
"I dragged him off of you," Mason continued. "I began to beat the shit out of him, but you begged me to stop. I went to you to help you up. Then I heard a click and when I turned back to Evan, he had a gun pointed at you with the safety off. I asked him how he could hurt you if he really loved you and…and he turned the gun on himself. I couldn't stop him in time." They sat in silence for a few moments.
"And this gave me PTSD?" Fallon asked after a moment.
"I think it would have given anyone, PTSD, Fallon," Mason said. "What happened to you was horrible. You shouldn't feel weak because it had a lasting effect on you."
"How bad is it?" Fallon asked. "Do I have these nightmares every night?"
"No," Mason said. "Honestly, you're doing so much better. You barely have the nightmares at all anymore. This is the first one you've had in almost three months." Fallon nodded but didn't say anything. She lied back down flat on the bed and stared back up at the ceiling. Mason sat up and got back to his feet. "I'll give you some space. Let me know if you want to cancel dinner with your family."
"Dinner?" Fallon asked looking up at him.
"Yeah," Mason replied. "We have dinner reservations at Coopers with your family. We are going to announce the date of our wedding."
Fallon smiled at the excitement in his voice. "Don't cancel dinner," she told him. "It's hours away. I'll feel better by then."
"Okay, but if you don't it's not a big deal," he assured her. "I'm going to make you something to eat. Fried egg sandwich, okay?"
"Sounds great," she said smiling at him. When he left the room, she let her smile drop and she closed her eyes as the information he just told her swam through her mind. It just didn't feel real to her.
Fallon was glad when Mason announced he had some errands to run after he handed her breakfast. For one thing it meant he didn't find her so mentally fragile she couldn't be left alone. She couldn't stand the thought of anyone, even Mason, never letting her have a moment to herself. But it also gave her the opportunity to figure out the date of their wedding without letting Mason know she had no memory of setting a date. Hell, she had no memory of getting engaged, but she wasn't about to let Mason know that either. She didn't want him to begin to think she really was crazy.
So, when Mason left the apartment, she immediately flew out of bed and into the kitchen. Hoping she retained the same habits in whatever universe she'd landed in she quickly began looking for a planner. She found it in less than a minute. Resting on the counter next to the fridge was a red covered planner with her name written on it.
"Thank god for my consistency," Fallon muttered and plucked it off the counter. She began flipping through the pages. "Now in this universe do I have a …. Yes!" She slapped the planner back down on the counter and began to look through her future plans section. Thankfully, there weren't a lot of events listed so she found the wedding date quickly; July 5th 2008. If the date was supposed to mean something to her, she couldn't remember and she was annoyed that she felt a little disappointed. She didn't know why. She didn't have another date in mind. She shook her head. She would just go with it. A summer wedding would be beautiful after all.
Later she and Mason sat in his parked car at Cooper's waiting for her family. Mason was trying to draw her into conversation but she kept looking away to the parking lot's entrances to watch for one of her parents' vehicles. Finally, she saw her dad's beat up blue minivan pull into the lot. She was out of the car and bounding towards it before they even parked a few spots away. Her mother had just stepped out of the passenger side of the car when she barreled into her.
"Mom!" she cried throwing her arms around her mother.
Her mother stumbled a little under the force of her hug but her arms wrapped around her quickly. "Hi Honey." Her voice was warm but Fallon could feel her mother's tension. "Are you feeling okay today?" Fallon worked to hide a scowl. Mason had been tiptoeing around her all day when he got back to the apartment. It looks like her mother thought she was fragile too. Oh well. Fallon wasn't going to let that stop her from hugging the rest of her family. She'd missed them all so much.
"I'm fine, Mom," she said moving to hug her sister and then her dad. "Maybe I just wanted a hug."
"You get like this after your nightmares," her mother insisted. "It's been a few months. I thought they were done."
"Let it go, Hayley," a female voice said. Fallon turned to see her grandmother shuffling towards her. She hugged Fallon when she reached her and then turned back to her own daughter. "You don't need to treat her like she's fragile."
"I'm not," her mother exclaimed. "I'm just concerned."
"Well don't be," Fallon said. "I'm fine. And anyway, I don't want to talk about my dreams. We're here to talk about the wedding."
"You said you and Mase picked out a date," Veda said as they began to walk towards the restaurant. "I'm assuming that's what you want to share?"
"Yes. The date is…"
"You can't just give away the date like that," Mason interrupted her. "We have to keep them on their toes at least until we get through the entrees."
"You are such a tease, Mason," her mother said, a warm smile on her face. Her father huffed and Fallon could see him trying to mask a smile as she turned to look at him. Her mother and sister had eventually forgiven Mason over the cheating incident in high school, but her father never had. It looks like even now in he still held a grudge. She slipped back so she could stand beside him.
"Be nice, Daddy," she implored, keeping her voice low so the others wouldn't over hear. "He's just trying to keep everyone excited."
"He doesn't deserve nice," her father grouched. He didn't do anything to keep his voice down.
She gave him an unimpressed look. "Well, I do, and I would appreciate it you trying to get along with my fiancé."
Her father sighed and brought an arm around her shoulders. "Only for you, kid," he said and she smiled.
Despite her father's attitude towards Mason dinner wound up being a pleasant affair. Fallon basked in her family's attention and she clung onto every detail she could wrangle out of them about what was going on in their lives. She tried not to be too pushy when prying for past details. She didn't want to alert Mason or her mother that she had no memory of them. She had the impression from Mason that her amnesia didn't typically last long after her nightmares. She didn't want to give them any reason to commit her.
Finally, when dessert was being served her grandmother brought the wedding back up. "So, you've kept us in suspense all evening. Are you going to finally tell us that you've decided to get married on July 5th?" Fallon's jaw dropped.
"How did you know that?" Mason exclaimed.
"Mother," Fallon's mom scolded. "That was their news to share."
"I can't help what the cards tell me," her grandmother responded to both.
"No, but you can let them tell you the date themselves," Veda huffed, but she had a fond look on her face.
"No one's stopping them," her grandmother said staring down Fallon and Mason.
Fallon and Mason shared an amused glance. "Go ahead and confirm the date, Fallon," Mason said.
"We're getting married July 5th," Fallon said.
"How wonderful!" her mother exclaimed. "A summer wedding. Did you decide on your wedding colors?"
"She'll go with red of course," Veda said sarcastically.
"No!" Fallon replied harshly and winced at the shocked look on Veda's face. She hadn't meant to react so strongly but the thought of red made her remember a blood-stained red blazer and lipstick. She had had to dig through her makeup bag for a pink lip gloss when getting ready for this dinner. She wasn't quite sure why she had this aversion to the color red suddenly. She didn't however, mean to alarm her sister. "I just meant red is more of a winter color. I was thinking blush. Or maybe lavender."
"My vote is on blush," Veda smiled overlooking the odd outburst. Their group continued to chatter as they consumed their desserts. Fallon was just about to take a last bite of her cheesecake when she saw a girl in a white short and skirt standing in the corner of the room. She looked lost and confused. She also looked familiar although Fallon wasn't sure why.
"Fallon?" her mother asked. "Are you okay?"
Fallon started to turn to respond when the girl began to walk out of the room. She felt compelled to follow her. "I'm fine," she said standing up. "I'm just going to hit the restroom. I'll meet you back out front. Mase, you have the check, right?"
"Yes, I have it," he told her. Fallon smiled before turning after the girl who had already exited the room. She tried to not look like she was rushing as she exited their dining area, but the second she turned the corner into the hallway leading towards the front of the restaurant and the restrooms she sped up. She didn't see the girl anymore. She wasn't at the front desks or at the doors when she reached the front. Fallon rushed into the restroom in the hopes she'd find her there, but she was gone. She must have left the restaurant.
Fallon caught her reflection in the bathroom mirror. She looked pale and anxious, but she wasn't sure why. She wasn't sure why the girl had caught her interest at all. She'd never met her before. She shook her head and took a deep breath. She decided to head back to the table. She hadn't been gone long. Her family was probably still there. Just as she was turning back into the hallway though she ran into someone.
"Oh!" she exclaimed as solid arms gripped her shoulders preventing her from losing her balance. "I'm sorry." She glanced up and lost her breath a little at the sight of the guy she'd bumped into. He was tall with beautiful green eyes in a very handsome face. He was smiling at her and, she noticed, checking her out.
"That's okay, Angel Eyes," he said. "You can run into me any time."
She couldn't stop the blush that spread across her cheeks even as she felt annoyed at his words. "It's a little too late for you I'm afraid," she replied holding up her left hand and flashing her engagement ring at him. "I'm engaged."
To her surprise he grabbed her hand and inspected the ring. She was annoyed that he didn't look flustered at all by her response. "That's a huge ring," he whistled, his smile turning mischievous.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," the guy said. "I guess your fiancé just really wants to let everyone know you're his."
"As he should," Fallon said. "I'm a catch."
The man laughed. "That I believe. I'm Dean."
"I'm not interested," Fallon said and began to walk away.
"Hey, don't be like that," Dean said following her. She turned around and glared at him. He raised his hands in mock surrender. "I just want to know your name. That's all."
"It's Fallon," she told him.
"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl," he said and then laughed when she gave him an incredulous look.
"You're impossible," she said.
"That's what they tell me," Dean replied.
"I bet they…"
"I thought you'd be at the car," Mason's voice interrupted her and she gave him a smile as he wrapped his arm around her waist, though she couldn't help but notice the somewhat possessive squeeze he gave her as he glanced at Dean. The rest of her family maneuvered past them in the hallway as they left.
"That was the plan but I ran into this gentleman when I was leaving the restroom," Fallon said. "We were chatting for a moment, but we were just saying goodbye."
"Were we?" Dean questioned insolently.
"We were," Fallon said. "Goodbye, Dean."
"Goodbye Fallon," he said with a charming smile. She rolled her eyes and walked away with Mason following her. They said goodbye to her family in the parking lot before getting in their car. They got halfway home before Mason said anything.
"Well, that guy certainly liked you," he said stiffly. Fallon rolled her eyes. As jealous as a partner as she was, she found it unattractive in her own partners. She glanced at her engagement ring and remembered Dean's remarks about it. She suddenly didn't love it as much as she had this morning. She shook off the thought though and turned to look at Mason.
"Unfortunately for him I only have eyes for you," she said.
Mason smiled but still looked a little put out. "You looked kind of into him."
"Well, I did think he was cute for a few seconds, but then he opened his mouth and started speaking and that killed that thought," she said. Mason laughed and she was relieved. She didn't feel like arguing with him.
"Okay, okay," he said. "I'm sorry. I'm being an ass. I just don't like seeing you with other guys."
"Well, you have nothing to worry about," Fallon told him. "I love you."
Mason grabbed her hand and held onto it as they parked in assigned spot back at the apartment complex. "I love you too." He leaned over and kissed her. "Now come on. I know you don't want to the new "Bones" episode."
Fallon walked into the kitchen the next morning and started getting breakfast together. She was frying up some bacon when Mason's arms wrapped around her waist and he kissed her cheek. "I love bacon," he said.
"You and everyone else on the planet," Fallon laughed. "It'll be ready soon. The eggs already are if you want to eat while you wait." Mason scooped eggs on a plate for himself and then another plate for her. He was already through his eggs a few minutes later when Fallon plopped down the plate of bacon she'd made. He smiled brightly before sliding half of the bacon slices onto his plate.
"You excited for the movie?" Mason asked.
Fallon froze for a second before carefully resuming eating. "Yes. What movie are we seeing again? It's been a crazy week. It slipped my mind."
Mason didn't look like he believed her, but let it slide. "Paranormal Activity." Fallon had to work hard not to grimace. She wasn't sure why since she normally liked ghost stories, but the movie really didn't seem appealing to her. Still, Mason looked excited about the film so she decided to pretend she was too.
"How long do I have to get ready?" Fallon asked.
"The showing is at noon so we'll need to leave in about an hour," Mason said.
"Well, I guess I better get moving," Fallon said. "Thanks for taking care of the dishes!"
"Hey!" Mason exclaimed in protest and she laughed as she went to go get ready.
When they got to the movie theaters, they purchased their tickets and grabbed popcorn and soda at the concession stand before the show. Fallon happily munched on popcorn while holding Mason's hand through the credits and during the movie. She tried not to roll her eyes when Mason assured her before it started that they could leave if it got too scary. It was a sweet offer, but Fallon doubted she would be scared. She was proven correct when halfway through the movie she was bored out of her mind. Other people in the theater were gasping and tense with apprehension and fear, but she wasn't even slightly entertained. In fact, she really didn't want to finish the movie.
She glanced over at Mason to see if he felt the same as her but she could tell by his face that he was very invested in the film. She didn't want to make him leave if he was enjoying himself. She needed a break from the film though so she lightly tapped Mason's shoulder. He looked over at her in concern. "Are you okay," he whispered. "Do you need to leave?"
"I'm fine," Fallon murmured noticing he was taking quick glances back at the screen so he could watch the movie. "I'm just gonna go to the restroom and grab another soda. I'll be right back." Mason nodded and turned back to the film. She smiled and got up and left the theater.
After using the restroom, Fallon headed to the concession stand as was disappointed when she only saw one person in line. She was going to get forced back into the theater sooner than she wanted. She sighed and got in line. She had just placed her order for a small Pepsi when she heard someone walk up behind her.
"Hello, Angel Eyes. I was wondering when I'd see you again."
Fallon spun around. "Dean!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
Dean's smile grew. "Well, this is a movie theater," he said. "Typically, people come here to see movies."
"Right," Fallon said feeling a little stupid and annoyed at the amused look he was giving her. "What film are you here to see then?"
"Hot Fuzz," Dean answered.
"That movie looked good," Fallon said. "I wish that's what we'd chosen to see." Dean was opening his mouth to reply when the concession stand worker interrupted them.
"Here's your drink, miss," he said. "That'll be $3.99."
"That's gonna be on my tab," Dean said before she could get her wallet out. "Could you add a large Pepsi and popcorn to the order too?"
"Sure," the worker replied sounding a little annoyed.
"You can't buy me a drink!" Fallon said.
"Why not?" Dean asked.
"Because I'm engaged to another man," she said. "I'm on a date with that man."
"Well, he can't be a very good date since he made you come out to get a drink," Dean said. "If you were on a date with me, I would have let you enjoy the movie and gone to get you a drink."
"How very noble of you," Fallon said rolling her eyes as Dean paid the concession stand worker and passed her, her drink.
"I think so," Dean replied flashing her a smile.
"For your information," Fallon said, "I wanted to leave the theater. I'm actually disappointed this break from the movie didn't last longer."
"Your movie is that bad, huh?" Dean said. "What one are you seeing?"
"Paranormal Activity."
"And you don't like it?" Dean asked, surprised. "I've heard great things about that movie."
Fallon shrugged as she and Dean sat down on the bench in the concession stand lobby. "I guess I just think it's stupid," she said. "And the people in the movie are handling ghosts all wrong."
Dean looked amused. "How are you supposed to handle ghosts?"
"Well, for one thing, catching them on camera isn't going to help you," Fallon said. "The least someone can do is pour salt in the doorways of the room they're in. Then the ghost couldn't bother them until they leave that room."
"Why salt?" Dean asked.
"I honestly have no idea," Fallon said.
"Then how do you know it works?"
Fallon started to reply when she realized she didn't know the answer. Dean was looking at her expectantly though so she quickly made one up. "My grandmother told me. She's really into spiritualism and stuff like that." It may not have been a complete lie. Her grandmother was into some weird stuff. She might have heard about the salt thing from her.
"Okay," Dean said. "So, you have a temporary barrier to protect you from ghosts, but that doesn't solve the problem. How would you get rid of a ghost."
"Oh, you'd have to salt and burn their corpse," Fallon replied quickly, realizing she didn't know how she knew that either. "Or the item they're attached to."
"Salt and burn their corpse?" Dean whistled. "You're starting to sound like a serial killer." He didn't look freaked out though. He looked impressed.
"Yeah, that did sound bad," Fallon admitted. Dean laughed. The two continued to chat until Fallon noticed people entering the lobby from the theaters' hallway. She spotted Mason among the crowd. He was glancing around the lobby with an anxious look on his face until he spotted her and smiled. The smile turned into a scowl though when he noticed Dean next to her.
"What happened?" he asked as he approached them. "Why didn't you come back? And why are you with this guy?"
"I'm sorry, Mase," Fallon said standing up and wrapping an arm around his waist. "I really wasn't enjoying the film. I meant to come back, but I ran into Dean in the concession line and we got to chatting. I didn't realize how much time had passed." This just seemed to increase Mason's scowl.
"It's my fault, man," Dean interjected. "I wouldn't let her go."
Mason's ire switched to Dean and his own arm wrapped possessively around her waist. "Considering she's my fiancé you should let her go," he snapped. "And don't you have your own movie to watch?"
"Oh my god!" Fallon gasped. "I can't believe I kept you from your movie."
Dean shook his head. "You didn't. My brother texted me when I got in line that something popped up. I didn't want to have to come back. I was going to kill time at the arcade but then I saw you and thought it would be more fun to talk to you. My movie's not for another half hour."
This sent Mason over the edge. "She's engaged! You shouldn't be talking to her at all!"
"Whoa!" Fallon cried pulling away from Mason. "You're going to drop the possessive bullshit right now. You're causing a scene. Go out to the car. I'll be with you in a minute."
"I'm not leaving this theater without you," Mason said shortly. Fallon sighed, but realized he had every right to be angry. She'd ditched him on their date and he'd found her chatting with another guy. There was nothing going on with her and Dean, but that didn't matter. Mason's feelings did.
"Dean, enjoy your movie," Fallon said. "I've got to go."
"Yeah, okay," Dean said looking guilty. "I'll see you around, Ang…Fallon."
"You will not see her around," Mason growled.
"Mase, let's go," Fallon said grabbing his hand and dragging him away.
Mason didn't say anything to her the whole ride home, and when they got back to the apartment he immediately sat down on the couch and turned on the tv, raising the volume to an obnoxious level. He clearly didn't want to talk to her. Fallon let him pout for an hour, but the volume never came down. She realized this problem was not going to resolve on its own she picked up the wedding to-do list she'd found in her planner and went over it. She hoped if she spent time invested in the wedding, Mason would realize she wasn't interested in Dean.
"Hey," Fallon said sitting down next to Mason. She grabbed the remote and lowered the volume on the tv. "I think we should decide on our wedding venue. I really think the Scranton Cultural Center or the Colonnade are great options. Do you have any place in mind?"
"Knock it off, Fallon," Mason muttered.
"Knock what off?" Fallon replied trying not to angry. "We picked a date. We need to pick a venue."
"Are you sure you want to pick a venue?" Mason said.
"Well, I don't want a backyard wedding so I…"
"Cause it looks to me like you want out of this engagement," Mason cut her off.
"Excuse me?!" Fallon snapped, her temper starting to get the best of her.
Mason finally looked at her. "Well, you ditched me on our date to hang out with another guy, Fallon. What am I supposed to think?"
"You can't possibly be accusing me of cheating," Fallon said. "Only one of us in this relationship has ever cheated and it wasn't me."
"Not this again," Mason sighed. "I was fifteen! You said when we decided to give our relationship another shot that you wouldn't keep holding that against me."
"I just think it's unfathomable that you consider me talking to another guy as cheating on you, but you locking lips with another girl was just a mistake," Fallon said frostily.
"That's it," Mason said standing up. "I don't have to put up with this." He grabbed his wallet and car keys off the console table.
"Where are you going?" Fallon asked.
"Out," Mason said before storming out the door and slamming it behind him. Fallon sighed and collapsed back against the couch cushion. She wondered if they would ever not find something to fight about. Fallon glanced at her engagement ring. She had almost said no when he'd asked her. They fought too much. Almost every week they'd get into it about something. She didn't think they should get engaged or married until they managed to end that habit. But she loved him. And she knew he loved her. And when they weren't fighting, they were solid. No one made her feel as good as Mason. He made her feel as if she were on top of the world.
Fallon's anger faded with this thought in mind and she was able to see the situation from Mason's point of view. Twice now he'd seen her flirting with another guy. And yes, she had been flirting. It didn't matter that she had no intent to pursue anything with anyone else. It wasn't nice of her to do and she would be mad if she caught Mason flirting with another girl. And on top of that, she'd ditched him on their date. Mason would have left the movie if she'd told him she wasn't having fun. He would have just gone back to see it by himself or with friends another time. She owed him an apology.
Mason didn't come back until two hours later. By then Fallon almost had dinner ready. She looked up when she saw him in the doorway to the kitchen. "Hey," she said.
"Hey," he replied. "Are those pierogies?"
"Yes," Fallon told him. "They're homemade. They're your grandma's recipe."
Mason smiled. "I love grandma's pierogies." Fallon smiled and served him the pierogies along with a hotdog. It was his favorite meal. They ate in silence for a few minutes until Mason finally spoke. "Look, I'm sorry. I…"
"No, I'm sorry," Fallon interrupted him. "I've been a bitch. I should have just told you I didn't like the movie. I didn't mean to ditch you. I just saw you were having fun and didn't want to make you leave. I really intended to come back after using the restroom and grabbing a drink. I had no idea Dean was going to be at the theater. It wasn't anything planned if that has you worried. I literally just met the guy yesterday and I am not interested in him.
"But he is clearly interested in me and you are uncomfortable with me talking to him," Fallon continued. "I should have shut the conversation down. If I see him again, I promise I'll tell him he needs to back off. And I'm sorry for bringing up the cheating incident. You're right. I agreed to forgive and let go of the incident when we re-entered this relationship. It's not fair of me to rub it in your face. You were fifteen when that happened. You're different now and I know you wouldn't do that again. I am serious about this relationship. I want to be engaged to you. I love you. I'm sorry."
Mason smiled. "Apology accepted. And I'm sorry for being an ass about it. There was a better way to communicate how I was feeling about the situation. I wasn't trying to accuse you of cheating. I know you never would. And I love you too."
After they finished eating, Fallon got up and started loading the dishwasher. Mason stopped her though, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Mase, the dishes need to get cleaned."
"They can wait," he replied before kissing her. She smiled into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. They always were good at the making up part of the relationship.
A week flew by and Fallon settled into a routine. By Wednesday her dream was far behind her and she was almost convinced it was a dream. On Friday when she was having her weekly dinner with her family, she was determined to let the dream go. She had a lot to look forward to in her life, including shopping for a wedding dress.
Fallon was practically vibrating with excitement as they pulled up to the bridal shop. She'd dreamed of this moment her entire life. Everyone with her was excited to. She, her mother and grandmother, her sister, and her best friends Ann and Selena filed out of the car and into the shop.
The receptionist at desk smiled at them as they walked in. "Can I help you?"
"We have an appointment at noon," Fallon said. "For Fallon Romano. We're a little early."
"That's okay," the receptionist said. "Why don't you take the time to browse the racks. It'll be about fifteen minutes before your consultant can get to you."
"That's no problem. Thank you," Fallon said. Her group dispersed and started looking carefully through the racks.
"Fallon, do you like this one?" Ann asked holding out a poofy ballroom gown.
"If she doesn't, I do," Selena said passing by.
Fallon smiled. "I don't think that one's for me, but it is beautiful, Ann."
After five minutes her mother approached her. "We're going to be waiting on the couches out in the center of the shop. Join us when you're done looking."
"I'm done. I'll follow you there," Fallon said. She took a few steps after her mother when she saw the girl, she'd seen at Cooper's a week ago. She looked more disheveled than she had on her last appearance. Fallon frowned as the girl stared at her and then turned and headed for the exit of the shop.
"Fallon?" her mother called pulling her attention away. She looked a little worried.
Fallon smiled at her. "Actually, Mom, I think I left something in the car. I'm just going to run out and check."
"Without a key?" her mother replied holding her car keys for Fallon to take. Fallon quickly grabbed them and hurried out of the shop after the girl. When she got outside however, the girl was gone. Fallon quickly rushed to the side of the building to see if she could spot her on the sidewalk, but instead she bumped into someone else.
"Dean!" she exclaimed as she glanced up at him.
"Did you see her?" he asked.
"See who?" Fallon said confused.
"A girl. She's in a white shirt and skirt," Dean said. "I keep seeing her. She looks like she needs help."
"Actually, yes, I've seen her twice now," Fallon replied. "I just saw her leave the bridal shop. Do you know her?"
"No," Dean said continuing to scan the area. "She just looks like she needs help." Fallon looked carefully at Dean now. He didn't look disheveled like the girl had, but he looked a little worse for the wear. He was pale and his skin looked a little clammy.
"Dean, are you okay?" she asked.
Dean finally looked at her. He smiled. "I'm okay, Angel Eyes. I think I'm just coming down with something."
"You should go home," Fallon told him. "Get some rest."
Dean nodded. He then glanced up at the store they were in front of. "So, I guess the wedding is still on."
"Dean…"
"Good," he said. She gave him a surprised look. "I was worried after the incident at the movies last weekend. I didn't mean to cause problems with you and your fiancé. I know you're taken. It just…I don't know…it feels like I know you somehow."
"I know," Fallon said. "I feel that too, but Dean, I can't talk with you anymore. It upsets Mason, and he's so important to me. I have to respect his feelings."
"I know you do," Dean said. "I'm glad I got to see you today though. I wanted to be able to say goodbye."
"Yeah, me too," Fallon said. "Goodbye, Dean."
Dean smiled sadly. "Goodbye, Fallon." Fallon watched him walk away before turning around. She jumped when she saw her mother standing outside the shop watching her.
"When did you come outside?" she asked.
"Just now," her mother said. "Your consultant is ready. I came out to find you. Did you find what you were looking for in the car?"
"No," Fallon said as they entered the building. "I must have left it at home. It was just my planner with some wedding dress photos for reference. I can make do without them."
Her mother stopped her before they left the reception area. "Who was that guy you were speaking to? He was the same guy from Cooper's last week, wasn't he?"
"I really don't know him, Mom," Fallon said. "We just keep bumping into each other."
Her mother stared at her for a moment before nodding. "Well, we shouldn't keep everybody waiting any longer." They made their way back to the showcase floor to where the consultant was talking to her friends and family. Her sister spotted them first.
"There's the bride," Veda said and the consultant glanced up and smiled.
"Hi, I'm Theresa," she said. "It's nice to meet you."
"I'm Fallon. I'm sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's no problem," Theresa assured her. "When is the wedding?"
"It will be July 5th next year," Fallon replied.
"That's exciting," Theresa said. "Do you know what you're looking for in a dress."
"The wedding venue is the Scranton Cultural Center," Fallon said. "The dress needs to be showy. I love glitz and glam. Rhinestones and sparkles."
"Are you looking for a ballgown or do you prefer something more fitted?"
"I'm open to trying ballgowns, but I really prefer something more fitted like the mermaid or trumpet style," Fallon answered. "I got to browse for a few moments before and there are a few I would like to try on along with any dresses you would suggest."
"Sounds good," Theresa replied. "Let's get started."
Fallon had fun trying on the many dresses and showing them off to her entourage. Each dress gave her a better idea of what she wanted and what worked best for her. Finally, she slipped into her last dress of her appointment. She had spotted it on her last trip back to the dressing room and has asked to try this one on. It was a strapless, mermaid dress with a sweetheart neckline. It had rhinestones covering the dress all the way down before it tapered off in frills to the floor. She gasped when she saw herself in it and covered her mouth. She felt emotion bubbling up in her stomach and was surprised when she began to tear up. The dress was perfect.
Theresa smiled. "It looks like we found the one. Let's go show everyone." She led Fallon out to the showroom. Her mother started crying the second she saw Fallon was.
"Oh Fallon, you're beautiful," her mother cried. "This is the one."
"I love it, Fallon," Veda said.
"It's so you," Ann and Selena gushed.
"What do you think, Gram?" Fallon asked. "Do you like it?"
"You look like an angel," her grandmother replied. The consultant rushed to get the veil to the dress and dolled Fallon up for everyone.
"Is this it?" Theresa asked. "Is this your dress."
Fallon nodded. "It is. This is the dress." Her group cheered. After she'd gotten dressed and paid for the dress, they all left the store. They were going to stop for an early dinner. Fallon beamed the whole time. It felt like she hadn't been so happy in a long time.
When she got back to the apartment, she found herself home alone. Mason had left a note explaining he'd gone out for drinks with his brother and a few friends. Fallon put her leftovers in the fridge and then plopped down on the couch and turned on the tv. A news station was on. Fallon could see the coverage of a plane crash near Nazareth, Pennsylvania. She was about to change the station when she heard the reporter mention he flight number of the plane, flight 4-2-4."
"Flight 4-2-4," Fallon repeated confused and then it all came flooding back. Evan had killed her. She was a ghost. Sam and Dean. Hunting. She remembered it all. She turned the volume up on the tv and listened as the reporter repeated that there were no survivors on the flight. "That's not right. We saved that flight!" But not in this reality. Not in this dream the djinn had placed her in.
"The djinn!" Fallon gasped. The djinn was holding her, Dean, and the girl she kept seeing captive. That's why she kept seeing them around. Fallon jumped to her feet and snatched her keys and purse off the console table. She knew where the djinn would be. She could save them. She strode purposely for the door…and then she stopped. If she killed the djinn, she was giving up everything here. She would be giving up her family and her life. She would be giving up Mason. Could she do that? Did she want to do that?
Fallon shook her head. "Dean," she said. If she didn't kill the djinn Dean would die. And so would the girl they'd been trying to rescue. She reached for the door handle again…and then pulled her hand away. She put her purse and keys back on the console table and began to pace the room anxiously. Sam was still free. He had an idea of where to look for Dean. She felt a little panic at realizing if Sam killed the djinn her world would fall apart, but then realized it may not happen. The djinn might abandon the warehouse since he was caught. He probably wouldn't bother taking Dean and the girl. He would find new victims in his new lair. Sam would find Dean and the girl and find a way to save them.
She then worried he would find away to save her too, but she remembered how powerful the djinn had been. She might not be existing in any physical form currently. If that was the case Sam and Dean wouldn't be able to find her and she could keep existing in this alternate world. And she deserved to live her life here, didn't she? She deserved to be happy. She'd lost so much. But what if Sam didn't find the warehouse? Could she let Dean die? She started to go back for her purse and keys when the apartment door opened.
"Mason!" she said surprised.
"Hey, Fallon," he said and then kissed her cheek. "How did dress shopping go? Did you find a dress."
"I did. Yes," Fallon said.
Mason frowned. "You don't sound excited."
"Of course I am!" Fallon said. "It's just you caught me on my way out."
"Where are you going?" Mason asked. Fallon hesitated. She wasn't sure she was going to the warehouse but if she did decide to go there how was she going to excuse a trip to Illinois. Mason's expression darkened. "You're going to save Dean aren't you?"
"Mason," Fallon sighed, and then realized what he said. "Wait, how do you know…"
"Fallon, it's not your job to save him," Mason said softly, placing both hands on her shoulder. "Sam will save him."
"He might not find him," Fallon said. "He might not be able to. Dean could die."
"And that would be awful," Mason said, though he didn't sound like he cared all that much, "but it's not your job to save him."
Fallon backed up and away from his reach. "Mason, how do you know about this?" she asked. "A week ago you told me my dying and Sam and Dean were just a trauma induced dream."
"I know. I'm so sorry, baby," Mason replied approaching her again and giving her a hug. He backed up so he could look into her eyes. "I didn't want to lie, but the djinn gave us a second chance. This is the life we should have had! This is how things should be!"
Fallon shook her head and backed away again. "But it isn't," she cried, tears slipping down her face. "And Dean…"
"Stop talking about Dean!" Mason snapped. "Do you love him or do you love me?"
"You know I love you, Mason," Fallon said.
"Then stay with me," Mason begged. "Choose me."
"That's not fair," Fallon whispered. "You know I would do anything for you."
"Then stay," Mason said pulling her against him. "Stay."
Fallon wrapped her arms around him. "Okay," she said. "Okay, I'll…" She blinked in surprise as she realized the apartment had faded away. Everything was gone and she and Mason existed in a blank space. "Mason! What happened? Mason!" And then Mason was gone. Mason was gone and she was back in the warehouse. All she had left of him was the phantom feeling of being in his arms once more.
"Fallon?" she heard a voice calling her. She saw that someone was standing in front of her, but she couldn't look up to see who it was. They weren't Mason.
"Fallon?" a different voice called to her and then she felt a hand on her arm. She finally looked over at them and saw it was Sam who had reached for her. She then glanced at Dean's pale face and she realized what had happened. Sam had killed he djinn.
"No," she whispered.
Sam frowned. "Fallon?"
"NO!" she cried and shoved Sam. "How could you?! I was home! I was with my family! I was happy. I was with…" She fell to her knees sobbing. "No, no, no. I want to go back! Please let me go back. I want to go back. I want to go home."
"Fallon, I…I'm sorry," Sam said dismayed. "I had to…I…" He cut off. He didn't know what to say.
Dean kneeled down beside her and gathered her in his arms. "It's okay, Fallon," he murmured. "I understand. I know. You'll be okay." She didn't say anything. She just continued to cry. She didn't have the words to express that she would never be okay again.