Present Day

"Look, I can't have you continuously coming to my rescue!" Elena declared, attempting to stand tall. But Dean towered over her, a good seven inches. Her eyes focused on his chest.

Not that that was a bad thing, per se. Well, he does work out. Huh. Elena thought, dazed. She breathed in his scent. He smelled like autumn. Like the falling leaves. The maple breezes. The spicy smell of pumpkin pie in the oven.

Dean smelled like home. Fire erupted in Elena's cheeks when she realized that she was staring. "Umm…" She started awkwardly. She reeled back several steps, blinking rapidly. "So…" "So, I suppose I should train you then?" Dean asked; his brows elevating.

Two Years Ago

Elena wandered downstairs in search of something to drink. She halted at the bottom step, seeing Sam standing in front of the door. He was soaked from the rain. But that wasn't the only thing that made Elena's breath catch in her throat.

There were dark stains on his sleeves and chest. They looked ghastly against the bright blue of his long sleeved button-down. "Sam…" Elena said weakly. His eyes were hollow.

Sam swallowed thickly before taking a step forward; extending the bundle he was holding. "Dean would've wanted you to have this." It was Dean's favorite brown leather jacket. His amulet rested on the top.

Elena gazed at Sam in sheer confusion before the weight of his words sank in. "No…" She said thickly, grief sweeping over her. Her stomach felt as though a stone dropped into it. Her heart thundered painfully in her chest as her eyes stung.

"You're lying." She managed to choke out. "You have to be!" She dropped the bundle and grasped the front of Sam's shirt, making a weak attempt at shaking him. "I tried everything I could. But he –" Sam was saying as she shoved past him roughly.

Elena staggered into the dining room, grabbing the back of a chair for support as her legs threatened to give out on her. "Sam," She started in a wavering voice, "Please, tell me…" She turned to him, her face streaked with tears.

Her lips were trembling as she choked back sobs. "Did it hurt?" She asked; her voice weak. Sam stared at her in silent confusion, swallowing hard. "Was he in pain?" Elena inquired. The youngest Winchester averted his gaze. A low wail of grief finally escaped Elena's lips as she sank to the floor, her hand clapping over her mouth.

Present Day

Elena swung at Dean, who caught her fist. "Stop dropping your shoulder," He scolded, releasing her hand. "I can see you coming a mile away." Elena rolled her eyes at him, frustration fueling her next kicks and punches.

They'd been at this for an hour. But Dean kept criticizing her every move. There was constructive criticism. Then there was what Dean was doing. Which was harsh criticism. "Whoa," Dean said with a chuckle, ducking. "Someone's cranky."

"Someone's tired of your mouth." Elena shot back, panting. Dean popped his collar in silent response, his brows elevating in a brief wag. A lazy smirk formed on his lips. Elena hopped back several steps, unwilling to let his cocky attitude get to her any more than it has.

"Ooh," Dean breathed, arrogance layering his every word. "Is someone on her period today? Or did she sprinkle a little extra 'bitchy' in her coffee?" Elena dropped her fists to her sides, her mouth falling open.

"Excuse me?" Her voice raised several octaves. Anyone passing by the warehouse, which Dean had scouted for their practice, was sure to have heard her. "Sexist pig!" She pushed him, her eyes flashing momentarily with a dark, furious, light.

"What?" Elena shrieked, realizing that Dean was laughing. At her. "Do you just get off on antagonizing me, Winchester?" She hissed. "No more than usual, Gilbert." He said at last.

Elena glanced at him, reminded of a similar situation from a year or so before. She relaxed slightly, allowing a soft laugh to fall from her lips. Dean wrapped an arm around her slowly, cautiously.

Elena glanced up at him, taking in that strong jaw that sometimes had a vein throbbing in it in anger. An expression she was all too familiar with. She remembered the countless arguments that she and the eldest Winchester had gotten into.

And, with a blush, she remembered what happened many times afterwards. Clearing her throat awkwardly, Elena pulled away from Dean. Slipping from his grip as easily as a cat weaseling from a human's grip.

A Year and A Half Ago

A soft grunt escaped Elena's lips as her back hit the steering wheel of Dean's beloved Impala. Any complaints she had been about to make never had the chance to be voiced.

Dean's lips were crushed against hers in a searing kiss. Elena responded feverishly, her hands clasping around the back of his head. Dean's hands rested on her hips as his lips moved against hers gently.

A part of her still couldn't believe it. Dean was alive. Alive. Not thirty minutes ago, she discovered him waiting in her living room. When she saw him, she was sure that he was a figment of her imagination.

Until he spoke. "Lena…" He said; an edge of hopefulness carried in his voice. She just gaped at him. Before asking hoarsely, "Is it really you?" Dean nodded before picking up a silver knife.

Her heart thudded fearfully, before she cried out. He dragged the blade across the flesh of his arm, grunting softly. Blood welled in the wound. And sickness rose in Elena's stomach.

Dean set the knife down. Then picked up a small vial of vervain. "D –" she started. He drank a small amount. Then set the vial down. Dean picked up a small glass of holy water and toasted her silently before swallowing a small gulp of it.

"See?" Dean said, holding his hands out, fingers splayed. "I'm me." Elena rushed across the room, throwing her arms around him. Dean hugged her back tightly, before she wriggled from his grip and slapped him.

"Bastard!" She shrieked. "What the –" "I mourned you. I watched Sam bury you!" "What –""Oh, I could go on forever, Dean. Don't test me today." She said sharply. Dean simply blinked at her in silence.

Now, they were in his car, the windows steamed up as they kissed. Dean suggested they go for a drive. Then, somehow, Elena ended up in his lap. She was almost delirious. From the discovery of Dean in her living room.

And kissing him. In a car. In the woods. Like a couple of… kids. Elena thought, giddy. Maybe because Dean's a kid at heart. She trembled from restrained laughter before Dean's tongue ghosted across her lower lip.

"Umm…" Elena whispered, breaking the kiss and pushing him away gently. "What's wrong?" Dean asked, a frown creasing his forehead. "I can't…" "Can't what? You know I'd never make you do anything –""It's not that. I can't do this." Elena said, pulling away from him and bolting out of the car before he could speak.

Present Day

Elena flung the dish towel into the sink with a sigh. "You okay?" Dean asked from the doorway. "Yeah," Elena replied. "I think I'm ready." She nodded. "Ready?" Dean stepped over to her, pulling a knife from the block.

He placed it in her hand. Elena gazed up at him, confusion layering her features. "Are you ready to kill? To have that on your conscience?" "Dean –" "Are you? 'Cause if you are, then let's see it. Come on."

He took her hand, the one that held the knife and pressed the tip to his ribs, angling it, so that if she pushed forward, it'd slip between the bones and into his heart. "Go ahead. If you're so ready."

Elena dropped the knife and backed away from him. "No." She turned on her heel and walked away. A knock from the door drew her attention. Walking to the door, she saw Alaric through the window.

"Ric," She said with an attempt to smile. "Hello, Elena. Is Dean or Sam here?" He asked. "Ric." Dean said from the hallway. "Hey, Dean." Alaric stepped around Elena as she stepped aside.

"I looked for those signs you asked. And…" Elena swallowed thickly. Dean asked Alaric to keep an eye out for demonic omens. And Elena didn't like the way Alaric said that. "And?" Dean prompted.

"I found…" Alaric extended a small stack of papers towards Dean. "Not good…" Dean muttered taking them. "Why?" Elena stepped forward, frowning. "Looks like Yellow Eyes has been through here more than once. And recently."

"Yellow Eyes?" Alaric's brow furrowed. Dean looked up from the papers. "Umm.. Yeah. I need to find Sam." He slipped the papers into the duffle bag. He walked out of the room.

Elena crept after him, overhearing, "Yeah. I know, Sam. Yeah, I know. I was there. I shot the son of a bitch myself. Could it be Lilith?" Elena glanced around the corner, seeing Dean with his back to her, talking into his cellphone.

He spun, a frown creasing his forehead. Elena ducked behind the wall, her heart pounding. Was Yellow Eyes some kind of monster? She'd heard of several kinds of monsters from being around the Winchesters. But, she's never heard of Yellow Eyes. Pushing away from the wall, Elena staggered upstairs. I need my journal. She thought absently.

11/8/12

Dear Diary,

I'm not sure how to say this, but I've been living a lie. The truth is, I've known about monsters. And demons and ghosts, long before Stefan and Damon returned to Mystic Falls. And I've known because of Sam and Dean. They've taught me. And told me. But lately, Dean's seemed distracted. And worried. And it scares me. Because as long as I've known him, he's never acted this way. Could it be because he's afraid for me? Does he know something I don't? Or does he know about Stefan and Damon? I can't think about that. I can't allow myself to. Because if Sam and Dean know about Stefan and Damon…. There will be a bloodbath. Sam and Dean will kill them. And they won't think twice about it. So, I can't allow myself to think about it. Just like the other thing I can't think about. Much less admit.

Elena bit her lip at the crossed out words in her journal, "the fact that I'm in love with Dean". A sense of freedom swept through her as she breathed out a sigh. "Hey," Dean leaned in the door jamb, smiling softly at her. "Hey," Elena responded, sitting up straight, closing her journal.

"I just heard back from Sam." Dean said, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "And what did he say?" "He's looking into it. But, if this is what we think it is…" Elena felt her heart sinking. "Dean, why won't you look at me?" She whispered.

Dean raised his eyes to hers. "No." She found her voice as she realized why this felt so familiar. "Lena, I don't want to." "Of course you don't." She stood, pushing past him, striding downstairs. Dean sighed, watching her walk away. He remembered the last time she reacted this way.

"Lena…" "Dean. Don't. If you're going to leave, just go!" She shoved him, heartbroken. Tears streaking her face. Dean stumbled, shocked. "Lena, please." "No! Just leave!" She yelled, flinging his jacket at him. Dean nodded, turning to the door. Heartbreak written all over his face. "Goodbye, 'Lena…" He said, walking out. He glanced back as she ran upstairs.

He had to make it right. He had to. Dean couldn't leave. Not now. Not after everything. "Well, 'Lena. You got your wish. I'm not leaving. Not now anyway." Dean muttered following her downstairs.