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. (:

When darkness turns to light
Chapter Nineteen

Apple looked up from her position on the floor next to Dean as Sam ended his call. Neither brunette had spoken to each other in quite some time; the only sound had come from Sam as he told Bobby it was over. All they had to do now was wait for Bobby to show up.

It didn't take the older man long before he helped Apple out to the Impala. Sam maneuvered Dean's lifeless body into the backseat before he climbed into the driver's seat. He started the car and turned the radio off as they waited for Bobby to finish his talk with the Fremonts.

Soon, they had pulled out of the neighborhood and followed Bobby to a secluded area of wood. Apple wasn't sure she would be able to do this; to watch Dean's body be salted and burned would signify just how final this really was. She sighed quietly as she looked back at Dean's body. He looked as if he were just in a peaceful sleep instead of fallen. She couldn't get over that.

Apple leaned her head back on the seat and closed her eyes. She hadn't realized she had fallen asleep until she felt Bobby's hand on her shoulder; her eyes fluttered open with a grimace. "Come on," he said quietly. Bobby helped her out of the car and to the boards that had been stacked and spread out to form a type of cruel bed.

"Apple?" Sam's voice croaked. Her pale blue eyes turned to face him, her head inclined slightly. "I think Dean wanted you to have this."

He gently pulled her hand out in front of her and lowered Dean's silver ring into her palm. Her eyes gazed at for a second, she could feel the tears as they begged to escape their prison. Apple took the ring and walked to where the men had laid Dean. She stood before him and let the tears spill from her eyes. Carefully, she took the chain with the silver key off of her neck. She slid the key off and exchanged it for Dean's ring. Apple placed the key into Dean's cold hand. She bent over and kissed his pale cheek. "I love you, you know."

Sam watched her the whole time, his hazel eyes never looked away; his heart broke all over again. He swallowed past the lump in his throat as he took Apple's place beside his brother. He didn't know what to say to the man; he'd been his hero, his brother, his protector, and his best friend.

"Bobby, can you?" Sam asked, as he stepped away from his brother's body. He stood next to Apple who had her back turned as she stared at the sun that had begun to rise.

Sam's long arms folded around Apple's small shoulders as he pulled her into a hug. Apple turned around and placed her face in Sam's chest; she cried for what seemed like an eternity. She couldn't watch Dean's body be engulfed by the flames, she just couldn't.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, Sam wondered how the world could ever attempt to be beautiful; especially when their whole world has just ended.

X – X – X – X

Apple hurt all over; every bone in her body ached. Was she in a bed? How had she gotten there? Her eyes opened, first her left then her right. The first thing she noticed was that she was indeed, in a bed. The second thing she noticed was a certain warmth that radiated from beside her. She knew this couldn't be right, the only person with whom she shared a bed was Dean, and Dean had been gone for a week already. Or was it hours? Maybe it had been days. Time seemed to blur for Apple now, she wasn't even sure what day it was.

She turned over once more to investigate said warmth. She was surprised to find that Sam was curled up next to her fast asleep; this seemed to confuse Apple, yet she found it to be a small comfort. She had shared a bed with Dean for three months, to sleep by herself would be a feat she didn't think she could have accomplished. A sigh escaped her lips as she struggled to climb out of the comfortable bed. Eventually, with much effort, her feet found the soft carpet and she padded to the bathroom.

The water was turned up as hot as it could go, it burned her skin as she stepped into the shower. Apple hardly noticed; she stood under the spray and just let the water wash over her. Sobs racked her body as she thought about how lonely she was without Dean, and how her heart ached for him; not just for herself, but for Sam as well.

It didn't last long enough, in Apple's mind, as she turned the cold water off and stepped out of the shower. She dried off as quickly as she could and threw on a pair of sweats and one of Sam's hoodies. She studied her reflection for a second as she fingered the silver ring around her neck; she really didn't look like herself anymore.

"Morning Sam," she greeted as she found the tall boy on their bed. He nodded toward a cup of coffee on the kitchen table, and she smiled gratefully. "Thanks."

This was their routine. After he had finally pulled Apple away from Dean's worn leather jacket, he would put her in their bed; she would cling to him for dear life and he would be forced to sleep there. Sam didn't mind so much, it was a small comfort for them both; anything he could do to help Apple, he would do.

The first few days without Dean were hell for them both. Sam wasn't sure either of them had moved. To his recollection, he and Apple shared the same bed and slept through the days; too in pain to do much else. Eventually, Apple would wander out of bed and lock herself in the bathroom. That was when Sam had to get used to a cold shower. He could still hear the painful, broken sobs that racked the poor woman's fragile body; it killed him every time. Then she would come out of the bathroom, dressed in sweats and one of Sam's hoodies and would act as if nothing had ever happened.

Sam thought he was doing okay; if how hard and stoic he had gotten was any indication of that. His only weak spot now was Apple, he would do anything for her; mainly for Dean, who had instructed him to watch after the girl. He knew, as much as he wished they didn't, that soon they would have get back up and fight once more. Dean had told them to keep with the fight, to help people; he wondered if either him or Apple were ready for that.

X – X – X – X

"Hey, Apple?"

"Yeah, Sam?" Apple lifted her head from the magazine she had been glued to and tilted her head.

"I was thinking, you remember what Dean said before the clock struck midnight?"

"About continuing on?"

"Yeah."

"What about it?"

Sam sighed and carded his fingers through his long hair. "I think it's time we started hunting again."

It had been a few weeks since their last stand with Dean and their last hunt. Apple knew they needed to get back out and fight, but she wasn't sure if she could do that. Though the voice in her head that sounded like Dean, encouraged her and promised her she could do it. She knew he was right, and he had told Sam and Apple to carry on; it was their job.

Apple finally nodded her head. "I guess you're right, Sam."

X – X – X – X

Sam and Apple both felt surprisingly better after their battle with a poltergeist; it had attached itself to a small suburban home and continually scared families out of its home. The job was simple, it wasn't something the pair would have normally gone after but they figured they needed to start small.

Apple clung tightly to the leather jacket around her; Dean's leather jacket. She took comfort in the warmth it brought to her, and the smell of Dean that surrounded her. She wondered if this would ever get easier. It probably wouldn't if she continued to do this to herself. What else could she do?

"You alright?" Sam asked as he broke the silence that had covered them.

"Yeah, just wondering if this will get easier," was her quiet reply.

Sam reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "It will. We just have to keep moving ahead; you and I both know that's what Dean would want. That, and for us to look after one and other."

Apple nodded her head and squeezed Sam's hand back. She closed her eyes for a second and tried to steady her breaths; it didn't seem to do much good as a few tears escaped and trailed lightly down her cheeks.

X – X – X – X

A year went by before they found a small pattern of normalcy; minus the few break downs on both their parts. Apple's hand worked steadily on a deep scratch in Sam's side. They had hunted down a werewolf in North Dakota, and successfully killed it.

"You're gonna need stitches," the brunette woman said. The wound was clean now, but it pretty deep.

Sam took a swig of tequila and fought the urge to gag as the alcohol burned his throat as he swallowed. "Go on." Apple carefully threaded the needle with black thread and began her work. "Dean was right, you're an artist with a needle."

A small chuckle came from the girl as her gazed headed toward the leather jacket thrown over an abandoned chair. "Yeah, well, that's Dean for you."

"Were any of your wounds bad?" Sam wondered.

"No, not too bad. Just a few light scratches and bruises. Other than that, I'm just peachy."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Positive." She cut the extra thread and looked her handy work over. "All finished."

Sam looked down at the wound and smiled slightly. "Thanks Apple."

"As I always say, anytime Sam." She took her small medical kit, closed it up, and placed it by her bed. "I'm gonna go take a shower."

"'Kay," Sam said sleepily as he crawled under the covers of their bed.

Apple smiled slightly as she grabbed her things from her bag and made her way to the bathroom. She closed the door and locked it before she undressed. Apple looked herself over in the mirror, her fingers touched her multiple fight induced wounds. She sighed as she looked up at the mirror, her face became hollow and expressionless.

This was how she was when she wasn't around Sam. Truth be told, she'd never gotten over Dean's death; probably never would. A good piece of her died with him that night, while a small portion remained with Sam; whom was like a brother to her. Apple closed her eyes and took a breath before she opened them once more; she let them settle on the mirror and nearly screamed as she did so.

"Dean?" she asked.

(it ends tonight – all american rejects)