A hand swiped across the mirror and swept away the condensation. The face that peered back at him, was one full of sadness, anger, regret and guilt. Green eyes shifted to the side of the mirror where he could see the half-open door and a motel bed. A pair of bare tanned legs were in sight and he felt the stir in his soul. What the hell had he done? He was just going to run out of this god forsaken town and never look back. He was prepared, his bags were packed and he was just waiting for Sam. That all ended the moment he opened the door to see her standing there.

You deserve to be happy, Dean. You more than anyone. It's time to let your inner demons go.

Her voice rang in his head as he looked back at the reflection in the mirror. Was it that simple? Could he just turn his back on this life? Hell, Sam did it. But the father in his head was telling him that no, he couldn't. He would never settle for that kind of life. The demons in his head knew his father was right, he just couldn't bring Lana into that life. Could he truly let it go?

He stepped through the door to see that Lana was lying on her stomach, the sheets bunched around her hips, her back was bare. Her head was turned away from him, facing the curtains. He noticed that the other bed had been slept in and he wondered when Sam got home.

He walked over to the bag to see a note from Sam letting him know he was in the diner. They had gotten a tip from a hunter friend where the yellow eyed demon was located. With a sigh he crumpled the note in his hand and looked over at Lana. Her hair was covering her face, it slowly moved in time with her slow breathing.

It was at that moment, that Dean knew he had made up his mind. He quickly slid on his jeans, his blue under shirt and then blue plaid shirt. When he was dressed, he slid his hand around the handle and lifted the bag off the bed. He walked to the door and his hand moved down to the handle as he turned once again to look at her. He let out a breath as he shook his head and shut the door behind him.

Six Months Later, The Homestead Pontiac Illinois

That little red door had a nice familiar feeling. It was a simple door made of metal, the hinges screamed for oil, but it was one that held so much meaning. It was a typical Friday night in a small town, most of the seats were taken by locals. A buzz hung in the air was conversation as the patrons socialized. A smile came to his lips as Just Like Heaven was playing on the jukebox. Normally he would scoff at the Cure, but it was her music. It had been six months since walked out on her and he was hoping the reunion wouldn't be icy.

Dean turned his head as a loud cheer came from the pool table and noticed several large men holding cue sticks. He made a mental note to hustle because they were running low on cash.

"Be right with you!" As the door shut with a loud bang, the female voice came from somewhere behind the bar. Through the smokey haze he tried to make her out.

She was behind the bar facing the wall of liquor. She was on her tip toes (Dean had to smile at the black and purple cowboy boots) trying to reach a bottle that was just out her reach. Dean would have offered to help her, but he was loving her heart shaped ass in those short and sweet denim shorts. The plaid shirt she had on raised up a just a bit and let him see the bottom of a tattoo. As her fingers finally slid around the bottle, Dean took a seat at the bar.

"What can I get you..." Her words left her mouth as saw the man sitting at the bar. Short dark hair, a cut above his right eyebrow that looked like it had been stitched in the field and his eyes. Those beautiful green eyes of his, were laced with such sadness. Despite the smug look on his face, she could see the pain. "D..Dean?"

Dean smiled at her, loving how long her dark hair had gotten. From the bar lights, he could see strips of maroon placed through out the dark strands. "Hey...I know it's been a while..but..we were not too far from here...I thought you'd be happy to see me."

"A... awhile? Dean, I haven't seen you in six months..not since..you ..."

"I've been busy."

"Well so have I," Lana snapped as she placed a small hand on her hip. "As you can see, it's Friday night and I need to serve drinks. SO..what can i get you?"

"A beer."

Lana frowned at him as she reached under the bar and extracted the bottle. With a hiss, she popped the top and slid the bottle to him, making sure not to touch any part of him. The last time she had seen him, he just left the next morning. She was crushed when she woke up to find his stuff gone. He had left a note, but it was a simple. I'm sorry Lana. But I have to help my brother. I can't do into details...I'm sorry. "Dean."

"I need to see you Lana..need to talk to you."

She could see the desperation in his face, knowing he was serious. What on earth could have happened in those six months that made him this way. With a sigh, she nodded over to a table that sat near the corner. "I have a break coming up in 30 minutes. I will give you 15 minutes to plead your case."

Dean raised the bottle of beer to his lips and took a sip. He knew that Lana would be pissed at him and he was afraid that she would just throw him out. At least she was willing to talk. He watched as she kept the thirsty patrons happy and had to smile.

As he watched her, Dean Winchester made up his mind on that very spot. He had a year. One year to be truly happy.

"Dean...are..you OK?"

Dean looked up, smiling through the hurt and the anger. "No..Lana..that's why I'm here."

Lana moved the chair out and quickly sat down, reached over and grabbed his hand. "Dean...what?"

He let out a breath and looked back down at the table. "I have one year, Lana. I..uh...had to save Sammy."

Lana leaned back in the chair, her green eyes blinking at him. "What...what do you mean you have a year?"

"I..uh.." He paused as he looked around the bar, then leaned into the middle of the table. "I..made a deal..."

It took a minute for that to register with her. If she knew anything about Dean Winchester, is was things were never simple. She knew he wasn't talking about making a deal regarding business. No...Dean Winchester meant..."You...sold..your s..soul? Is..is that what you mean." She let out a hiss as she put one hand over her mouth and then the other on her stomach. "D..Dean...Oh..my..god..."

"It's a year Lana. A year. I'm thankful I even got that. We..we're trying to find a way out, but it's not looking good. I'm tired Lana. I'm tired of running..I'm so tired of fighting. And I'm tired of being away from you."

The background noise in the bar seemed to vanish as Lana looked across from him. It was a year. "Well..Dean..if we have just a year together, than I think we shouldn't waste it." She smiled and stood up from the chair as she reached across the table for his hand. "Shall we go to my place, or yours?"