Summary - What if Sam wasn't the only one who was around Dean the last three months before his deal was up? What if there was someone else? This story follows Sam, Dean, and Apple my original character as they try to get Dean out of his deal; though Apple doesn't exactly know about Dean's deal until it's almost too late. What happens if they can't save him? Is Dean really gone forever?

Author's Note - This follows the last six episodes of season three(minus Ghostfacers), I just added my own character into the mix and a few more things. I don't own any of the characters or the episodes, just Apple and the plot following the NRFTW. Let me know what you think. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Review please. (:

Author's Note #2 - This chapter, and chapter title are dedicated to my bestest friend Courtney, whom I love too much for my own good. "In which Dean tells Apple she's special, and doesn't give Sam his chick flick moment, they sing a song, and a demon dies.' Luff youuu! Enjoy.

It's hard to make the good things last

Chapter Sixteen

The sound of an ice cream truck's melody filled the air of a quiet suburban street. Two older men made their way to their mailboxes. They shared a smile as they met up with each other.

"Hey Pat."

"Tom." Pat greeted.

"How's that granddaughter of yours?"

"Homesick, poor thing. Darn bug that's going around now." The man replied with a smile.

"Aw, that's too bad. Well, you give her a big old hug from me and Judy." Tom said as he collected his mail from the box, and held it in one hand.

"You bet." Pat said as he held his own mail. He shook Tom's hand and turned to leave for his house. "Take it easy Tom."

Tom looked down at his hand and reached with his free hand to unfold the piece of paper. "You too, Pat," he finally said. He looked over at Pat who had closed the door to his house. Tom read over the paper, and shook his head. 'Help us,' he read over and over again.

- - - - -

Pat locked the door and turned around. As he walked toward the kitchen he stepped over a body that was covered in bugs. He tried to ignore the sounds and smell that came from the corpse. He fought back tears as he looked back at his deceased wife before he entered the kitchen.

"Where is she?" Pat asked as he looked at the scared man and woman.

"Upstairs, playing with Freckles," the woman answered.

"We just sit here, we're dead."

"She'll hear you," the man said quietly.

"It's her or us." Pat said as he looked carefully around the room.

"It's my baby girl." Mrs. Fremont whispered as she finished putting the icing on the cake she had baked.

"Not anymore. There's something inside of her."

They all stopped and fell silent as they heard footsteps on the stairs. "Shut your mouth. She's coming." Mr. Fremont hissed.

Mr. and Mrs. Fremont, and Pat turned around as the little girl came in. They stared at her blood covered dress and nearly gawked at how the girl acted as if it was just a little dirt and not the substance that helped keep a person alive.

"What were you talking about?" The little girl asked.

"Just how much we love you." Pat answered.

"What... what happened to your dress?" Mrs. Fremont asked as she looked the girl's soiled clothes over.

"Oh, Freckles was mean to me," was the girl's simple reply.

Mrs. Fremont didn't know what to say, she turned to face Pat who simply shook his head. She turned back to her daughter, shocked and afraid. "That's... that's nice dear."

"Daddy, will you push me on the swing?"

"Oh... sure, honey." Mr. Fremont answered as he walked toward his daughter. "But why don't you change first? I mean, you don't want the neighbors to see... all that blood."

The girl waved her hands and smiled. "Oh you're so smart. I love you, daddy." She walked toward her dad and hugged him. Mr. Fremont looked over at Mrs. Fremont and Pat, not sure what to say or do.

"I love you too. Hey, sweetie? You think... after a while... do you think you could..." He looked over at Mrs. Fremont and she shook her head 'no' at him. "Let us go?" He finished.

The little girl backed away from her dad, the smile completely gone from her face. She looked up at Mr. Fremont with a serious, close to angry look. "Why?"

"I uh... I don't know."

"Don't you wanna be here? Don't you love me?"

"Well, sure I do!"

"We all do honey. We all love you so much." Mrs. Fremont added with a shaky smile.

"Don't be mean to me, daddy. Like Freckles, or what's-her-name, that mean old babysitter."

"I'm sorry."

After a few seconds the daughter's face broke into a smile and she tugged at her dad's hand. "That's okay, silly. Now let's go and play!"

- - - - -

Sam, Dean, and Apple sat in the Impala, ready to leave for Indiana. Dean tried to start the car but it wouldn't start up. The three looked at each other a bit worried, they suddenly jumped as Bobby showed up outside of Dean's door.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Dean looked at Bobby and the distributor cap he held in his hand. After a second, he, Sam, and Apple climbed out of the Impala and walked up to the unhappy Bobby. But then again, Dean wasn't all that happy either.

"We got the knife." Dean replied simply.

Sam and Apple came around the other side of the car and stood in the middle, between Dean and Bobby. Both brunettes exchanged a look before they settled their eyes on them.

"Do I look like a ditchable prom-date to you?"

"No, Bobby. Of course not." Apple replied quietly.

"This is about me... and Sam and Apple. Okay? This isn't your fight." Dean had almost decided to leave Apple behind, but Sam was fully against that. And Dean knew he'd catch hell from Apple if he dared tried to leave her behind. Apple had worked her way into their business, and hearts, and therefore was a part of the weirdness that defined their lives.

Bobby closed the distance between himself and Dean; fire seemed to burn in his eyes as he glared at the younger man. "The hell it isn't!" He noticed how startled the three younger people were by his tone and calmed down. "Family don't end with blood, boy. Besides, you need me."

"Bobby." Dean started.

"You're playing wounded. Tell me, how many hallucinations have you had so far?"

Sam and Apple looked at Bobby, confused by his question. They looked over at Dean whose green eyes darted toward them but quickly looked back at Bobby. "How'd you know?"

"Because that's what happens when you've got hellhounds on your butt. And because I'm smart." Dean looked down at the ground as Bobby said this. He handed him the distributor cap. "I'll follow." Bobby walked away from the trio, and stopped at his car. After a few seconds Dean walked over to the hood of his car, ready to put the part back. "Don't be stopping to pee every ten minutes either."

Dean stopped in his tracks, shook his head, and raised an eyebrow at the older man. He turned around and looked at Sam and Apple. They both looked at him, and sighed.

- - - - -

Apple stared out the Impala's passenger window. For the first time, Sam had insisted she share the front seat with his brother, and Apple couldn't wrap her head around that. She looked back at Sam who had surprisingly fallen asleep. Her blue eyes wandered back to Dean, who upon feeling her gaze, turned to look at her.

Her hand slid across the seat gently and came to rest on Dean's knee. He looked down at her hand and grinned at the feel of her fingertips as they traveled up and traced small circles on his upper right thigh. "Wipe that grin off your face." Apple teased.

Dean only reached over and turned the volume up on the Impala's stereo. She chuckled as she continued to trace patterns on his denim covered thigh. Apple bit her lip as she thought about this possibly being the last ride in the Impala with Dean. She tried to think positively but it didn't seem to work.

"What's wrong Apple-pie?" Dean asked as he tilted is head slightly and turned the volume back down.

Apple shook her head and turned her head away from him. She opted to look out the window once more, if she were to have met his gaze, she knew she would have spilled her heart out. It took every thing she had in her not to break down in tears. She looked back at him when she felt something warm and calloused cover her hand.

He smiled at the brunette girl as he lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it lightly. Dean wasn't one to show romantic gestures, but this girl, this amazing girl did something to him. And it scared him more than words could ever say. He had played her hot and cold for a while because he just didn't know what to do, or say, or even think. He didn't know if he wanted to hold her close, or push her away. He figured, if things went sour, she should at least know how he felt. It was only fair.

"You're special, you know that?" Dean asked as he placed their hands on the seat between them.

Apple waited for some smart ass joke to follow his question, but she was surprised to find that one didn't. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I've never met anyone like you. Most of the time, I run from girls, well after... you know..." Dean waggled his eyebrows at Apple and she merely rolled her eyes. "I'm afraid of getting into anything, again. I had a girl once, and she was a civilian. I made the mistake of telling her about our world, our way of life, and she kicked me out, ended things."

"I'm sorry Dean."

Dean shrugged his shoulders. "You're the first girl I've met since her I can see having something deeper with. I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to tell you, but I wanted you to know... in case something happened."

Apple shook her head and tried to stop the tears that were slowly making their way down her face. She looked up as Dean gently wiped them away. In all the time she'd spent with him, she didn't know he could be as sweet and gentle as he had been. It shocked her and she wasn't sure what to say to him.

"You're special," he repeated. "Just remember that I'll always be here to protect you, you and Sam both. No matter what." He promised.

She scooted over in the seat and pressed herself lightly against Dean's side. "What you did for your brother... it's admirable Dean. You saved his life, and I wish more than anything I could save yours," she whispered. Apple leaned over and pressed her lips against his cheek. "You're special too, and you're brave. You're my hero, Dean. Just from the short time I've known you, I can't imagine never having met you, or your brother."

"I need you to do something for me Apple-pie."

"What's that Dean?"

"If things don't go our way, look after Sammy. I know we're going to fight like hell, but if there's no way out, look after him. He's all the family I have left, besides you. But he's my brother, you know? So just... look after him."

Apple shook her head. "You're going to be fine Dean, you know? We'll get you out of this. And I won't have to look after Sam, you'll be here to do that."

"Apple, please."

"Alright. I promise."

She sighed as Dean's fingers ran through her soft hair. He looked at her and used his fingers to lift her chin. He looked at the road once before he pressed his lips to hers.

- - - - -

Sam wanted to tear his hair out. How was this fair? His brother had thought he had found the girl of his dreams, and he was about to fight to the death with a demonic little girl? Sam hadn't been asleep, far from it. His mind was too wired for sleep. He had listened to the conversation that went on between Apple and Dean and he had honestly wanted to cry.

It wasn't fair. Dean could've been happy. He could've continued to hunt with his brother, and the girl Sam knew Dean loved. But Dean had to mess that up by bringing Sam back. Part of Sam was grateful Dean had brought him back, but he wished it hadn't required Dean to give up his own soul. He couldn't be angry with Dean for looking out for his family, that wouldn't be fair.

It was a little while before Sam decided he needed to 'wake up'. "Hey, Dean?" Sam asked as he sat up and leaned against the front seat. His hazel eyes landed on Dean's hand on top of Apple's, his thumb rubbed gentle circles on the back of her hand.

"Yeah?" Dean finally answered.

"You know if this doesn't uh... this doesn't go the way we want, I want you to know-"

Sam missed the wink Dean shared with Apple before he interrupted Sam. "No. No-no-no-no."

"No what?" Sam asked.

Dean looked back at Sam. "No, you're not gonna bust out the misty good-bye speech, okay? And if this is my last day on earth, I do not want it to be socially awkward."

Sam looked down and out the window as Dean turned back to the road. "You know what I want?" Dean asked. He reached down and turned the radio up again, as he started Bon Jovi's 'Wanted Dead or Alive'.

"Bon Jovi?" Sam questioned.

"Bon Jovi rocks, on occasion."

Dean looked at Apple then back at Sam as if to underline his statement. As Sam looked away from Dean and turned back to look at the road, he nearly jumped at the sound of his brother's voice as he sang along with the song.

Apple and Sam were used to hearing Dean sing loudly to his favorite songs, but never as loud and with as much conviction as he sang now. Apple quirked a brow at Sam before she shrugged her shoulders.

"And I walk these streets, a loaded six-string on my back. I play for keeps," Dean sang. He nudged Apple and turned to look back at Sam. "Come on you two. I know for sure you can sing, Apple." Apple shrugged once more and Sam just laughed. "'Cause I might not make it back. Been everywhere."

"Oh yeah." Apple's head jerked to look at Sam as he sang. He just shrugged his shoulders and grinned.

"I'm standing tall..." Sam and Apple laugh as the both started to sing with Dean.

"I've seen a million faces and I've rocked them all. 'Cause I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride, I'm wanted..."

"Wanted!" Sam belted out. Apple and Dean exchanged a look and smiled as they listened to Sam sing. "Dead or alive."

Apple noticed Dean had gone quiet, but Sam continued to sing as he lost himself in the song. She watched as the once brilliant smile that had lit up Dean's face slowly started to fade away. She squeezed his hand lightly and he only looked at her for a second before he looked back out at the road.

Dean had never truly stopped to listen to the lyrics to the song. It seemed to fit him so much right then. He stared out at the road and realized he didn't want to die. He was going to miss this, miss his brother, miss Apple, more than words could ever explain. He wasn't ready to let go, and he decided to fight like hell to stop it. He pulled himself out of his thoughts and focused on the way Apple rubbed small shapes onto the back of his hand. He was going to miss her, and his brother. He didn't want to leave them, his stomach clenched at the thought. He realized that whatever hell the bastards had in store for him, would never compare to being without Apple and Sam. Being without them was hell, the worst kind.

Silence fell over the Impala as the song ended and Sam settled back into his seat. Everyone was consumed by their thoughts, they wondered about the what ifs and they wondered how they were going to cope without each other.

- - - - -

Dean looked in his review mirror as the sound of a siren flooded their ears. He shook Apple awake and looked back at Sam. This seriously couldn't be happening.

"We getting pulled over?" Apple asked as she looked at Dean.

"I've got a busted tail-light. It's not like we're in a hurry or nothing." Dean said as he looked at his side-view mirror.

"Apple, get the license and registration papers out of the glove box." Sam ordered as Dean pulled onto the side of the road, the police car directly behind them.

Apple handed over the papers as the officer approached the Impala, flashlight in hand. Dean rolled the window down and looked up at the officer. "Problem officer?"

"License and registration, please." Dean didn't look at the man as he handed the needed papers to him. "Do you realize you have a tail-light out, Mr. Hagard?"

Dean looked up at him and after a moment felt his face fall. The officer tilted his head and shined the light on him. "Yes... yes sir. Uh... you know, I've been meaning to... take care of that." He turned to look back at the road. "As a matter of fact..." Suddenly, he opened his door fast and hit the officer in the stomach. Dean rushed out of the car.

"Dean!" Apple called as she and Sam both opened their doors, surprised by his actions. They watched as Dean punched the officer three times in the face. Sam ran around the car in an attempt to stop Dean.

Dean quickly reached down and took Ruby's knife from his belt and slammed it into the jaw of the officer. As Bobby pulled up behind the police car, Apple's hand flew to her mouth in shock as she watched the officer flash within, letting everyone know that Dean had just killed a demon. Dean pulled the knife out and let go of the officer who fell to the ground, dead.

Sam, Apple, and Bobby stood nearby, shocked. "What the hell happened?" Bobby asked as he broke the silence.

"Dean just killed a demon. How'd you know?" Sam asked.

Dean breathed heavily as he looked around the ground before he looked up at Sam who was still shocked. A worried look crossed his face before he answered. "I just knew." He turned back to the body, and studied the officer. "I could see it's face. It's real face under that one." Bobby locked eyes with Dean for a minute before Dean was forced to look away.

(chapter title: do you realize - the flaming lips)