Part Two.
In Which A Boy Goes on an Adventure

When Dean returned home, sweaty from running and eyes bright with excitement, the house was quiet and empty. Really it wasn't unusual being so late in the night but Dean had wished Sam was at least awake. He felt light and full of energy and wanted to express all of the pent up passion onto someone. He was going to marry Lisa, and he was going on an adventure across the Wall.

"Awfully late for you to be out courting Lisa Braeden," John muttered from the table. He was in the same seat he'd been in before Dean left and the glass of whiskey was full beside him. Dean didn't doubt that it had just been recently refilled. Dean gulped and shuffled from the entry way to the kitchen. He took a seat and watched his father sWallow the whiskey in one sip. John rubbed his eyes before leaning towards Dean, "How did it go?"

Dean sighed, "I...I didn't defile her if that was what you were asking."

John visibly relaxed, "Good. That would kill Katie."

Dean rolled his eyes, "I love Lisa, Dad. I want to marry her. I asked her tonight actually."

John watched Dean for a moment. He poured whiskey into the glass and passed it to Dean, "And?"

Dean took the glass carefully, smelled it and placed it closer to his father, "She asked me to..." Dean exhaled slowly. He didn't know if he should lie to his father, a rare and often unused thought through his childhood. Dean idolized his father and never wanted to disappoint him but telling him this new development in his and Lisa's relationship? His adventure would be dead before it began.

John smiled softly, "She asked you to do what, Dean?"

Dean sighed, fingers dancing along the edges of the wood table. He tried to muster the courage to explain what he was about to do, "She asked me to find her a star."

John chuckled, "Far be it from me to tell you this son, but love isn't about gifts."

Dean stood, chair scratching against the tile flooring, which muffled the pattering feet announcing a body coming down that stairs and the heavy coughing coming from the bedroom just off the side of the living room, "I love her father, and I'm leaving tonight to find her star."

"Okay, okay," John grabbed the glass and gulped down the whiskey, "Where is Lisa's star?"

"East," Dean sighed.

"East," John nodded. There were two easts- east to the next county over, up the hill behind John's farm, and East, the other side of the Wall. John Winchester knew without asking to which his son was referring, "Well pack some food and we'll get going."

Dean followed eagerly, packing dried meat, water, bread and cheese and following his father up the hill. They came to the break in the Wall where two of the local town men were standing. They were John's friend's, Walt and Roy, and they gripped their weapons tighter as John and Dean approached.

"John," Walt growled, watching Dean carefully, "What are you doing up late? You haven't been drinking have you?"

John made a gesture signifying he'd only had a little. Dean knew it was a lie but he let it slide. John pushed Dean forward, "Dean would like to cross the Wall, Walt."

Walt gripped his wooden bat and glared at John before Roy nodded and stepped away from the hole. Walt nodded to Roy to do the same, "He belongs on the other side, Walt."

Walt frowned, the wrinkles around his eyes growing deeper. Dean stepped forward, "There's a star..."

"Go on, boy," Roy shook his head in the direction of the Wall, face frowning deeply.

Dean took a step forward but was pulled back by his father's hand on his shoulder. John looked resigned, sad like usual but with a hopelessness that saddened Dean. He handed Dean a small crystal flower that chimed gently. Dean stared at it for a moment then shifted to allow John to place the flower in the inside pocket of Dean's leather jacket, "You'll return?"

Dean smiled, "Yes."

John hesitated just a little longer then allowed Dean to cross the Wall. Dean fixed his pack over his shoulder, the charm tinkling with every movement, and gave John a reassuring smile over his shoulder. He exhaled all of his anxiety before passing through the Wall.

It was honestly anti climatic. There was no flash of light, no change of atmosphere. He was on one side of the Wall and then he was on the other.

He walked towards the tree line, following a worn dirt path lit by the glow of the moon. The crystal flower chimed with every step and caught the light of the moon just right. He recalled hearing that noise every time his father left the house, when his father shuffled around fully clothed, when they were walking the streets of the village. Dean took comfort in the knowledge that his own journey would be accompanied by the same sound.

This night had, even after providing some answers, had left Dean with just as many questions. Such as why, after all these years that it had been expressly forbidden, Dean would be allowed to pass over the Wall. Only adding to it all was the fact that the fair was still two months away- and all of it having happened on the night of the falling star. Now, through all of that mess, he was here, walking into Faeries, in search of the star his true love so desired.

It was destiny at work, and it was telling him that he was to marry Lisa.

He woke again, startled by the pain. It burned all the way up his leg, up his spine, seared into his brain as a sharp ache. It was a new sensation, one the took over all of his senses until it slowly began to recede. Sensation was alarming and confusing, cold ground that made his whole body shiver, pain burned and blinded him. He tried to move, pain seared up his spine again, and he cried the explicative Balthazar had taught him in his younger days.

He took in large gulps of air, unnecessary for survival but the cold chilled his insides and allowed him to relax. When the sensation subsided, he was able to look around his location. A whole with thick dirt Walls built up on either side. He conceded that he did not have the strength or ability to climb out of the high Walls of the massive crater.

He cried for help, the soft tinkling bells of his real voice were muted by chunky, awkward words. His vocals were burned by the fall which showed in the scratchy, thick voice that was pulled from him. He coughed deep in his throat and shook with the residual pain it caused. He exhaled with frustration and relaxed into his sprawled position staring up at the sky.

He was trapped here until someone could rescue him. And until then, he would stare up at his brothers and sisters and wonder how he got tricked into delivering that stupid amulet. His heart sank with loneliness, his family was so far away, twinkling and reaching uselessly for him. He was lost on the ground obligated to return a necklace to some king, he reserved the right to cry at this point.

Dean walked and walked and walked.

He passed rows of trees and empty fields. He hadn't reached a life form yet, not even a mouse, and he was sure he'd been walking for miles. His feet hurt and he took his father's leather jacket off just to cool down a little. Sweat greased his lower back, seeping through his white shirt and brown vest. When the moon was too low in the sky and his feet were too tired to walk further, Dean found a tree and some bushes to curl up around.

The laid the jacket down and eased into a spot between the bushes and the tree. There was just enough of a break between leaves and branches for Dean to see the stars. They seemed like dancers, shooting across the sky, twirling in an array of poetic movements. Dean smiled up at them, imagined them in elegant clothing with pale faces, enticing him to sleep, to travel, to seek out his true love. They were brighter here, illuminating in a way that Dean had to shift his gaze away from the sky just to have enough darkness to sleep.

Upon turning something warm brushed against his face, warm and fuzzy. Dean feared it was a bear, just for a moment, before it grunted, "Boy! Man's trying to sleep over here."

"S-sorry," Dean muttered and turned to face the sky again. The stars stopped dancing, only twinkled brightly in a pattern that reminded him of Lisa's hair, soft and curly and wild. He missed Lisa already, missed her smile and the light in her eyes.

"It's alright, boy. I can forgive a man out on his first adventure." The voice was masculine, deep and warm and fatherly. Dean wanted to curl up into its familiarity, but resisted the urge. He was a man on a quest now, and cuddling with a stranger for comfort was not masculine at all, "I'm surprised yer daddy let you go, though. Not that I'm disappointed or nothin'."

"What was that?" Dean couldn't catch a form but it chuckled and patted his knee.

"Nuthin, nuthin," The man beside him heaved a sigh, "Get yerself some sleep."

Dean could hardly argue. One minute he was on the verge of protesting, the next he was asleep, images of dancing stars and Lisa's hair plaguing his dreams.

"Hey, kid!" A brute voice startled Dean out of his dreams. He shot upwards, face colliding with the smell of fresh cooked eggs. He coughed a little and waffed the smell away from him before coming face to face with a bearded, green eyed man, "Breakfast. Get yer ass up."

Dean groaned and stretched his aching limps. The sun was high in the sky, high enough to let Dean know he'd slept through most of morning. The hairy man smiled, beard shifting with the grin. He wore an odd hot, bent rim to cover his eyes but not the back of his neck. Dean frowned at him, "Where did you get that hot. It's odd."

The man smiled, wrinkles forming around his eyes. His bulky hand slapped Dean roughly on the shoulder, "The fair. Now, eat up. You need your strength."

Dean took the worn bowl full of eggs and muttered his thank you. The man sat quietly beside him, plucking blueberries from the bush. Dean heard faint screams with every pluck and the man beside him muttered apologies. Dean decided to take a bit of his egg before questioning this interaction. The eggs melted into his mouth, tasting like his mother's cooking and sugar and Lisa, "This is delicious."

"Eggs from Rooster chicks mixed with mushrumps." The man squished a berry between his fingers and sucked the juice from it. He handed Dean another berry. Dean tossed it into his mouth and bit down on it. It tasted sour and gross so Dean spat it out. The man laughed, "Boy, you act like you've never had a gin berry."

Dean coughed, "I haven't."

The man stared at him, assessing Dean's full body, rough hands finding Dean's ear. Dean tried to slid out of the grasp, eyes catching the man's own pointed ears, "Strange." The man hesitated before clearing his throat, "The name's Bobby."

"Dean," Dean nodded and took hole of the hand, "Dean Winchester."

"Nice to meet ya, Dean. Where you goin'?" Bobby smiled, dropped the rest of the berries on the ground and whipped out a canteen from his large packet. He spread water over his hands and washed the blue stain off himself.

Dean frowned, "I'm off to find a star."

Bobby stopped his movements and turned to face Dean, "A star? You need a plane for that, idjit."

Dean laughed, "No, the star fell."

Bobby nodded then stood up. His height was just up to Dean's shoulder, he was gruff, his appearance thick and Dean was a little scared that this man was hear to harm Dean. Bobby just smiled and helped Dean up, "Tell me on the way, boy."

They gathered their gear and set on the worn trail that led deeper into Faerie. Dean heaved a large sigh and began to tell his story. Of the the village that never accepted, his mother who avoided him and his father who drank to much, and then he began to speak of Lisa, "There's this perfect woman named Lisa Braeden, she's the prettiest girl in the village and it is to her I have given my heart. Her face is-"

"Usual compliments?" Bobby stopped his speech, altogether unimpressed with Dean's feelings, "Eyes? Nose? Teeth? All the usual?"

"Of course."

"Then no need to tell me that, idjit." Bobby seemed irritated but more so than Sam or Adam when Dean waxed poetics about Lisa, "So this lady got you on some fool errand to get a star? Eh, I bet she said all kinds of pretty stuff about marriage if ya got that star for her, right?"

"W-Why would you assume that?" Dean choked in shock.

Bobby just rolled his eyes, "Because a lad in love is the only reason a fool virgin like you would cross the Wall. The only ones who ever come over here from your lands are the minstrels, and the lovers, and the mad. You don't look like much of a musician and you're as normal as cheese, so it must be love."

"Sam, my little brother would say, 'every lover is in his heart a madman, and in his head a minstrel."

"He's smart," Bobby snickered, "He should have gone on your fool errand."

Dean laughed, "I wish he had. I miss him."

They were silent for awhile, Bobby allowing Dean to Wallow silently in his loneliness. Bobby sniffled and whipped his nose on his sleeve, "I'd tell her to go shove her face in a pig pen, and go out and find another one who'll kiss you without askin' for the earth."

Dean was oddly not angry at Bobby. He only smiled gently, confidence in his mission rising, "There are no other girls."

Bobby snorted, "Aye, I bet not...girls I mean."

Dean let it go and they walked a few more miles. They broke for lunch, Bobby whipping out a glass of amber liquid. Dean watched as he took a large gulp and then the man offered it to Dean. He hesitated to take it before grabbing the bottle and sniffing it. It smelled sweet but Dean still hesitated to take some himself. This could be poison or alcohol and Dean wanted nothing to do with either. Bobby laughed, "It's just Faerie Whiskey. You'll be alright."

"My Dad drinks a lot," Dean frowned sipping at the liquid. It slid down his throat like cool water and he felt energized again, ready to walk another hundred miles. Bobby grinned and took the bottle back.

"Lonely men often do," Bobby took another large gulp of it. There was a sadness in his eyes that became well hidden by two more large gulps of the drink before he passed it back to Dean.

"How far do you think it will be?" Dean asked, taking a small sip once more and handing it back to Bobby. Bobby twisted the lid back on tossed it back into his bag.

"How many miles to Babylon?" Bobby said cryptically before he stood up once more and began to walk. Dean had to scramble to gather his things to follow, legs light and lacking in cramps as he followed.

"So, your Dad," Bobby smiled, "He's a small guy right? Eyes full of foolish wonder like you?" Dean burst out laughing and Bobby joined him, "Seriously, boy. You're different."Dean immediately reached for his ears to cover them but Bobby stopped him, "And why are you walking this way?"

"Well, this is the way to the star." Dean said. He couldn't explain but he was being pulled that way, like destiny was calling to him and his instinct was to follow.

Bobby stopped, "Which way is the Wall, back to your home." Dean turned around then shifted slightly to the left.

Dean pointed to the west behind them, "It's that way. 10 Kilometers back."

"And where is that silly French Palace, Versales or something?"

Dean frowned, it was in France of course. And if was the large gold castle with the hall of mirrors that Sam had told Dean about, it had to be South and West. But where was it? Dean couldn't find it, couldn't even begin to find South now. Bobby nodded, "The castle, the Stormhold Palace? Where is that?"

"To the North, very far north. It would take two months to walk there."

"Ah, and that bar, The Roadhouse, in your village?"

Dean hesitated again, he couldn't even find South. He felt lost and disoriented.

Bobby took hold of his shoulder, strong and friendly, "But that star you're looking for, I bet you know where it is."

Dean did know, East of them but not far, South but only by a little. There was a field, rows of large trees and flowers that looked up at the moon. But now it was a crater and the star was at the center, "That way and a little to the South. If we keep walking we should be there in a week."

Too long but Dean was only mortal. It wasn't like he could leap through space and time on wings made of his love for Lisa. This wasn't one of Sam's fairytale books.

"You're an interest man, Dean Winchester. You know exactly where everything in Faerie is, even if you hadn't seen it. But no idea where anything is from your home." Bobby hesitated for a second, stroking his chin, "How far away until the Village of South Dakota?"

Dean's head turned slightly to the right, just a little off the path, "That way, a kilometer at most."

Bobby grinned, "Relax then, boy." Bobby eased Dean over to a tree, sat him down and rested the bag beside it, "I'll get you something to eat in town and we'll be needing supplies."

Dean nodded, "Why are you being so nice?"

Bobby smiled, "I owe your Daddy a favor."

And the little man went scurrying off down the path Dean had pointed him to. Dean eased back against the tree and dreamed of Lisa.

Gwen eased the heavy leather jacket over Christian's shoulders. She brushed aside the lint and dirty. He watched her closely in the mirror, "You shouldn't favor me, sister. What would Mark do if he got the crown."

"I will deal with that issue when it comes about." Gwen smiled, "Though I doubt I'll have to plan at all. Mark is a fool. You are the better chess player."

Christian laughed, "I seemed to recall you were the best."

Gwen snarled and retrieved a chalice resting on her brother's dresser. She lifted it up gently and made her way to the door, "Which is another reason why you will win."

He laughed as Gwen made her way down the hall. Christian made his way to the stables where his horse and troop of three soldiers were ready to head out.

Gwen made her way to the main hall where her brother and the high chancellor would most likely be meeting. She was correct.

Mark was bowed before the High Chancellor whispering plans to sabotage Christian. Gwen coughed lightly, "Brother Mark, I come bearing your nightly glass of Merlot." She approached the two, "Would you partake? Forgive me High Chancellor, I didn't know you'd be here."

Mark was ready to deny, Gwen could see it in his face but the High Chancellor took away his chance. He smiled brightly, "Well thank you young lady! Cheers to Mark, Good Luck on your Journey!"

The High Chancellor took the glass and drank the whole thing. Gwen was frozen in shock, poised to stop him. The High Chancellor grinned brightly before he began to cough and spit. He turned blue and then fell to the floor dead.

Mark turned on Gwen, "You poisoned him! You traitor!"

"Brother, I can explain!" Gwen frowned.

"And you must have sold our sister as well?" He growled, lifting his sword from his scabbard, "Gwen I am ashamed of you!"

"Christian promised me a seat in court!" Gwen blabbed, "This was his whole idea! He forced me to betray you!" She fell to her knees, "Please brother! Forgive me!"

He heaved a great sigh, sword raised above his head, "I do, Sister."

He swung the heavy blade across her neck, slicing her head clean off. The body collapsed as the head rolled away. He whipped his weapon clean and re-sheathed the sword, "For the dead as my witness, I will not drink a drop of water or wine that I have not poured myself."

With that he made his way to the stables on the far north side of the castle, where his carriage awaited.

"Dean!" A soft female voice called into his ear. It tickled and Dean tried to shoo it away. It returned, slightly louder, "Dean..."

"Go away!" He sighed and tried to roll over. When he did he was met with an array of childish giggles and bright lights. Dean was scared for a moment that all the stars had fallen as punishment for him targeting only one. But he opened his eyes to find a group of tiny, naked women dancing in a circle, "Nipples?"

They were in the middle of a song, and they all giggled at once, "Does not know why he was born,
And a foolish oath he has sworn,
His coat and shirt are torn,
So he sits here all forlorn,
Soon to face his true love's scorn,
Get yourself clean
You are far too lean
DEAN!"

He slapped at them and they scattered, twisting about in orbs of light and annoying giggles. Dean sighed and tried to ignore them as they began to rhyme his name again, some repeating the chant.

"SHUT UP!" Dean took a swat at a blue lady which she dodge and then proceeded to bit his finger, "Dammit Fairy!"

She snickered and flew up to his face, punching him straight across the nose which made him fall to the ground. He scrambled to his feet and as they regrouped and swarmed around him like flies. They bit and pinched at his skin as he danced around and tried to swat them away.

A cold wetness covered the parts the Fairies were pinching and they fell to the ground. He looked up to find Bobby with a bottle and attached hose. He was squirting at the fairies, some running and screaming in terror. Bobby was trying not laugh, "Annoying little bitches aren't they?"

Dean sighed and rubbed his bloody cheek, "Yeah, right."

Bobby laughed, "Don't worry about it, all of us have had to fight Fairies at one point or another. Nothing to be ashamed of if you lose."

"Yeah, yeah," Dean growled and fixed his clothing. He whiffed the wet spots, smelling vinegar, "What is this?"

"Salt Water Bug guts. Fairies can't stand them." Bobby smiled, "It'll fade in an hour or so, come one, I got us some proper meats."

Bobby began a fire and Dean roasted the meet. When it was done, Dean's clothes were dry and only smelled a little of daily walking and the vinegar odor. They ate quietly and by night fall, Bobby had pulled the amber liquid out once more, "Well, boy, Your father, all those years ago, gave me shelter and kindness when I needed it. And you have been good company. I'm a man of my word and I promised your father to pay him back someday, a son's just a good." Dean smiled softly ready to argue when Bobby pulled out a thick black candle, "So, been thinking, you know exactly where the star is but its too far to walk. And I ain't goin' that way to protect you from Fairies. It's a long journey to where your star has fallen, and I intend to give you a shortcut."

Dean laughed, "How will you do that?"

Bobby passed the black candle into Dean's hands, "How many miles to Babylon?"

Dean frowned but deep in his mind he knew. It was a lullaby he sang to Sam and Adam, known the origins of, but sung of it nonetheless. Bobby watched the nostalgia wash over Dean, sure now more than ever of his mission, "Can I get there by candlelight? There and back again. Only it's by candle wax, this candle wax right here."

Dean stared in awe as Bobby tapped it, "Bobby this-"

"Its a debt now repaid," Bobby took both of Dean's hands in one then produced a match, "This is what you got o do. Take up the candle in your right hand and then you walk, walk towards your star." Bobby grinned before he gasped and pulled a silver string from his pocket. It made a soft bell-like noise with every shift of its movement and the silver shined like the full moon at night. He passed it to Dean, "This you'll use to bring the star back. It can't be broken or severed until your dead or set them free."

Dean nodded, "Thanks Bobby."

Bobby smiled and lit the match, "Walk to your star and you best hurry. And if anyone you don't trust asks where you came from, tell them 'behind us'. If they ask where you are going, you must say 'Ahead of us'."

Dean nodded and stood, protecting the flame of the candle as he turned towards the star. He thanked Bobby quickly and took a step forward. He was halfway across the forest now, two days worth of walking behind him. He released the breath he'd been holding, eased his shoulders and took another step forward. He was in a lake now, just beyond the mountain range that was a five day journey out. He smiled down at the candle in wonder and took the last step.

It was complete nightfall now and he was standing in the middle of a crater. The ground was cool and destroyed, mostly upturned dirt and crumbled trees. Dean looked around the crater, holding the candle before him to light the path. He searched the ground for anything that might appear to be a fallen star, a rocker or a jewel, perhaps, but he saw nothing.

He did hear something though, a choked noise that sounded much like Adam when he scraped his knee. At first it sounded like water over rocks, there was a sniffling and swallowing. It was the sound of someone trying not to cry.

"Hello?" Dean called into the night. His eyes found a light, brightly blue and lying just a few feet from him. He walked towards it, watching as it twitched and attempted to scurry away from him. He held out a hand and tried to seem peaceful, "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm looking for a star."

He had to duck away as a large lump of dirt flew past his shoulder. A small pebble caught his shoulder and he stumbled to the side. A deep, scratchy, powerful voice filled the dark void between Dean and the blue light. His whole body shivered with the sound and he felt his lower gut burn with pleasure, "Go Away!"

Dean gulped and tried to sooth away the sudden excitement the voice caused within his body. He stepped forward as the blue glow went from an upright position to lie across the ground. He approached the form and loomed over it, taking in the appearance of the lithe man in the baggy blue tunic and no shoes.

Bright blue eyes watched Dean wary, electric and shining like the moon, and wet with tears. His dark hair was wild on his head, wind blown, or perhaps sex tussled; but Dean had to shake himself from those thoughts. His thick, puffy lips were swollen and bore the mark of teeth biting along it. Dean bit his own then shivered when those electric blue eyes followed the motion. Dean leaned forward, ready to explain that he was saved, and maybe ask if he'd seen a star when a clod of dirt covered his face.

His stepped back, spitting mud out of his face and wiping it off his clothing, "Please don't do that. I didn't mean to bother you. There's a fallen star somewhere around here, and I have to get it back before the candle burns out."

"I broke my leg," The man's thin, long fingers found his dark pant leg. He rolled it up a little to revel his swollen ankle and the awkward angle of it. Dean bit his lip, trying to concentrate on how to cure the man of his broken foot and not how shapely his leg was.

"I-I'm sorry, of course," Dean bent down again, wary of mud clumps, "but the star."

"I broke my leg," The man began again, eyes narrowing up at Dean, "When I fell."

Dean gasped and stood up, narrowly avoiding a swipe from the man's dirty hands, "You're the star!"

"And you're an idiot!" The man hissed and heaved himself up. The wide neck of his metallic blue shirt fell to the side, revealing a strong collar bone and pale shoulders. Dean could taste blood in his mouth he was biting so hard, and his pants were getting tighter. He'd never reacted to a man like this before, it had to be that whiskey Bobby had given him.

"Look, you're probably right, and I'm sorry." The man frowned and tilted his head to the left, confused by Dean's reaction. Dean grasped onto the man's upper arm and looped the silver string around the thin wrist. He tightened the string then tied the other half around his own wrist.

The Star tried to throw a punch at Dean again but Dean dodged and yanked lightly on the silver chain, "What are you doing, ass butt!"

"I have to take you home with me," Dean sighed, hoping he was pulling the puppy-dog look as good as Sam, "I made an oath."

It was at that moment that the candle blazed a bright light that created shadows across both Dean and the star. Dean had to look twice when the glow of the candle created a shadow behind the man. It was all a blur and the man's eyes were distracting so Dean could hardly identify what the shadow actually was. Then the candle went out.

"Dammit," Dean muttered.

The star glared at him, blue eyes electric in the dark, "I'd like you to know, who ever you are, that I will not help you with your intentions. I shall do whatever is in my power to frustrate your plans and devices," He then began waiving the silver chain in front of Dean's face, "You should show me some respect! Remove this now!"

"No," Dean growled and yanked at the hand, "I have to get you back home. Can you walk?"

"No," He hissed, low and dangerous, "My leg is broken, you idiot!"

Dean sighed and eased down beside the man. He was already tired of that insult and of the star and of this adventure, so he laid down on his side and thought happy thoughts about Lisa and their now impending marriage, "Go to sleep. We'll get you a crutch in the morning."

"Excuse me?" The man growled, "I don't sleep at night. Take this chain off me!"

"Go to sleep."

The star fell silent and allowed Dean to think whether Lisa would prefer lilies on the guest's table or roses.

"Bastard." The star growled and Dean heard him shift until he was lying down. Small gasps came from that direction as most likely the movements shocked his injured leg but Dean heard something else in those gasps, something hot. Dean would die before he'd admit those noises haunted his dreams that night and that, when the sun illuminated the evidence of those dreams, the star laughed loudly at him.

In a small goat farm north of where Dean and his star slept, lived an aging man with ambitions to leave his old wife and boring work. Fergus McCloud didn't know why he put up with the old, ugly woman and all her goats. Maybe it was the inheritance he was set to get at her death, or it was the wild, kinky sex. Either way, when the rather handsome man with cruel green eyes approached him, McCloud was willing to do anything to leave.

The man was a swirling mass of energy, electric green eyes and deep black robes. He smiled a liquid grin that left McCloud quaking in his muddy boots. He pointed to the billy goat McCloud had unwillingly raised for the fat queen in the house, "Boy, how much for the goat?"

McCloud frowned and looked down at the goat. It was small, puny for its age with a carmel coat and soulless gold eyes. McCloud laughed, "I'd gladly give anything to a man of your countenance but this goat won't be able to carry you far. He's weak, your grace."

The man smiled, "Anything?"

McCloud barely had time to think, time to correct his sentence when he felt his bones cracking, body shrinking. McCloud suddenly knew he was dealing with a witch, a powerful one and he'd just sold his soul to this devil.

Lucifer neared the black goat with the white, resigned face. He smiled, "You look so handsome. I suppose I'll have to call you Crowley. Much better than Fergus McCloud."

Lucifer strapped the goats to a chariot sitting abandoned to the side. He whipped them, forcing them to run in the direction of the star. Mrs. McCloud stood off to the side of the home, watched her husband and only livestock ride off with the Lilim. She sighed, "It was good while it lasted."

In the morning, after Dean had soothed his frustrated body, he took a second look at the star. The man was just that, a plain man in a dirty shirt with wild hair and stubble, not the ethereal creature that threw dirt clods at Dean the night before. Dean tried to convince himself that the man did not have the same pull as the star had the night before.

He found a few sticks that could fasten a crutch and he used his own tie to bind them all together. He helped the star up, finding the thin man surprisingly light. The star took the crutch under his arm and frowned at Dean. Dean blushed, "It's honestly nothing personal," He watched as the star traced the silver chain both with a thin, dirty finger and his bright blue eyes, "I did it for love."

The star's eyes found his own, accusing and confused, "Love?"

Dean scrambled for an explanation, "You're my only hope. Her name is Lisa Braeden, she's the love of my life. She is the prettiest girl in the world."

"And this angel of Heaven," The star spat, "She has sent you here to torture me? A poor man with a broken leg and no home or family?"

Dean frowned, he gripped the man's upper arm and helped him walk up the rounded sides of the crater and onto flat ground. The star heaved a sigh, sweat dripping from his brow and Dean tried not be enticed by it. He had to think of Lisa, pretty, perfect, soft spoken Lisa that was waiting for him back home, "Well, no. She wanted me to retrieve a star, the fallen star that she spotted. I hadn't expected you to be a man."

"So having found a man, could you not have come to his aid, or left him alone? Why drag me into your stupidity?"

"Love," Dean smiled.

The star glared at him, eyes alight with passion and rage, "I hope you choke on it."

Dean just laughed and handed him the crutch. The man took it, leaned his full weight onto it and lumbered down the path by Dean's lead. The man was determined, clearly sweating and tired by the bags under his eyes. His sweat created a sparkle over his pale skin, it added an edge of that odd creature from the sky that had hypnotized Dean the night before. His blue eyes were bright, brighter than Lisa's own blue eyes. Or did she have brown? Brown, yes, like a tree in the forest.

Dean had been in Faerie for too long.

They walked for awhile, slow and awkwardly before Dean opened his big mouth, "So why did you fall? Did you trip?"

The star stopped and glared at him. Dean tried to move out of the star's reach for he looked ready to beat Dean to death and run, "I did not trip. I was hit. By this!" And he pulled a small, gold amulet from beneath the blue shirt. It shined in the light, a tribal mask with great horns poking out the side. It dangled from a plain black string and seemed right hanging about the star's neck, "There's a bruise on my shoulder from where it hit me and knocked me from the sky. And now I am obligated to carry it about with me."

"Why?" But the star didn't answer, just muddled on through the forest. They stopped for food but the star refused to eat, and then they broke out into a large field. The star was struggling now, falling behind Dean and yanking back on the chain. Dean sighed, "Come on, I said we need to keep walking."

"I'm tired," The star stated simply and sat down on a stone.

Dean rounded on the star, "Look, just a few more kilometers. We'll pass the glade and then, at night fall, we can rest."

The star looked up at Dean, eyes watering and face sickly pale. He began to argue but the ground began to shake, setting the man off balance and right into Dean's arms. Dean's body lit up in excitement at the nearness and he gripped the star tightly, arms wrapping around the thin waist. He smelled like the sky, like night and beauty and Dean reveled in it. That is, until the ground shook again.

He eased to the ground, allowing the star to curl up in his lap as the sound of heavy steps echoed through the break in the forest. He watched cautiously, waiting for the location of the sound. He managed to centralize the noise, narrow it down to the sound of stomping hooves. It sounded like a horse and something heavier bounding through the forest. And it was then that two creatures burst through the clearing.

The first was a dog, large in body with jowls the size of Dean's head. His coat was a midnight black, eyes blazing red and his body was thick with straining muscles. There were patches of carmel brown around his massive check and lower paws. His small tail, a nub really, shook back and forth in rage. He spat blood and nipped at the heels of a horse. The horse was large, massive black body and wild silver eyes. The hooves were a striking silver too and pounded against the dogs broad shoulders. When Dean managed to concentrate more, he noticed the silver horn above the horses head. This was a unicorn.

"Stop them!" The star screamed, yanking at Dean's vest, buttons undoing themselves with the star's force. The silver chain between them chimed like christmas bells and Dean partially wondered how he could think of something like that while a hellhound and a unicorn were scrapping in the clearing. The star shuddered in Dean's grasp, tears falling from his blue eyes, "They'll kill each other!"

The unicorn bit at the dog's muscles and the dog retaliated by latching on to the Unicorn's flank. Dean grasped the star tighter, watching in horror as the animals turned on each other. Dean wondered why there were fighting in the first place when, off to the side of the bushes, he noticed a shimmering light.

It was an old story that Sam hated. Sam said it was too violent and it didn't have a happy ending because, in the end, the beasts lose the crown again and start their fighting once more. Dean could guess that he had stepped right in the middle of the fairytale.

"The hellhound and the unicorn were fighting for the crown," Dean muttered.

"What?" The star cried, "What are you muttering? That dog will kill him! Stop them!"

Dean eased the star back to sitting and crawled over to the bush where the crown laid. He grinned brightly and pulled the thing from the bushes. It was a bright gold filled with jewels and looked every bit like a king's crown.

He stood on shaky legs and raised the crown above his head, "Hey!" The beasts stopped and turned to Dean. The Unicorn's eyes were alight, liquid silver following Dean and then to the star and back. The hellhound, however, eased right up to Dean and lowered his head. Dean placed the crown upon his head, "You've won, let the unicorn go."

The hellhound's red eyes followed Dean before he went trotting off away from them. Dean heaved a sigh of relief and returned to the star's side. The unicorn was already there, head nestled right into the star's lap. Dean sighed and sat down next to the star and the unicorn.

"I suppose we can rest for a little while," Dean stroked the unicorn's head along with the star. The star cooed and sang lightly to the unicorn and stroked it thick black head.

"Thank you," The star muttered.

Dean woke up when the sun began to set. He had no idea how he had fallen asleep but somehow he had. He sat up and stretched the aching muscles in his arms. When Dean stood to ease the ache in his soar limps, he noticed the unicorn was awake and watching him. After a pause, the unicorn trotted over to Dean and nudged at his shoulder. Dean smiled softly, "Hello there."

"His name is Impala," The star muttered, "He's better. I suppose we must go now."

Dean nodded and helped the star to stand. Suddenly Impala was at the star's side, lifting him up onto his back. Dean smiled appreciatively and the couple, the star sitting upon the unicorn, walked forward.

They marched beside each other, the chain stretched tight between them. The two did not speak either. Dean felt the sweat along his back, felt his feet slip beneath him as Impala's trots became faster, the unicorn impatient to go running. The star's fingers slipped into the wild black mane of the Impala and suddenly the horse was slowing down. The star turned with a heavy sigh and held his hand out to Dean, "Impala doesn't hate you and you're slowing us down. If we must get to your precious Lisa, the sooner would be better."

Dean smiled graciously, took the star's hand and was pulled onto the back of the horse. Dean wrapped his hands around the star's hips, his own rocking into the star as the horse began to gallop. Dean wondered if this is what life would be like with Lisa, intimate touching, wild adventures, perhaps there would be less blood and mud though.

They rode through the rest of the day and into the night before Dean's stomach began to growl. The star seemed unaffected, both by Dean's stomach and the motion of Dean's hips. He wished he could say the same, "Should we stop for lunch?"

The star did not speak.

"I don't know about you but I'm hungry," Dean sighed, catching nice whiffs of the star's airy smell, "You should eat something too. Don't you eat at all?"

The star was quiet for awhile as they found themselves back hidden by a line of trees again. Impala slowed down until he came to a stop. Dean slipped off the horse before the star spoke again. His eyes were dreamy, starring up at the starry night, "We eat only darkness and we drink only light. So I'm not hungry. I'm lonely and scared and cold and miserable and captured by an idiot. But I'm not hungry."

Dean took the star's hand, gripped it tight and smiled gently, "I'm here. I promise."

The star gave him a look, "Brilliant. A love struck boy with a silver chain is here to keep me company."

Dean sighed, "Look, I'm just going to go get some food. Impala will protect you and I'll be back before day."

The star gave him and odd look but watched quietly as Dean slipped his hand through the silver chain, releasing him from the binding. He led Impala to a tree and tied the free end of the chain to a low hanging branch. Once the star was properly secured, Dean turned back to the pouting man and smiled, "I'll be back and I'll honor your word as a star that you won't escape."

The star gave him a flat look. He never promised to stay, never admitted that he would try to escape but Dean allowed it nonetheless. He patted the unicorn's wide neck softly and walked in the direction of the nearest town. He eased into the village and walked through each shop, asking what a star would like. He was given some porridge for himself, some odd, fuzzy fruit and a bale of hay, for the unicorn. Dean wondered if this was something a star would eat. He bit into it himself, sweet with juice rolling down his cheek. He walked back to the place he'd left the star and the unicorn, excited to see the star's face when he bit into the sweet fruit. However, Dean returned to an empty forest and no sign of the star or the unicorn.

He sighed, collapsing into the grove of the large tree he'd tied the two to earlier. He idly wondered if he'd ever see the star again. He tried not to miss those vibrant blue eyes as he fell asleep beneath the tree.