Hey guys! Sorry this chapter is a day late, My sister got married on Sunday and I was the maid of honor so I was running around like crazy yesterday trying to get everything squared away. So, few things about what to expect next. This is my last complete and proofread chapter. I am in the process of writing 10 today, but I've deleted what I had because I'm struggling with where I'm taking this story next, so I might not have it out (in the way I want it) by tomorrow afternoon. I write when I'm at work (I'm an English Teacher) and if I have a crazy day, that affects how much I can write. My process involves an initial write, a read-through and rewrite, and then a final read-through, so that also takes time. As of right now, Chapter 10 only has about 700 words. So please be patient with me! As always, please review! I love to read them! And Mayremmy, RangerHorseTug, ? thank you for your reviews! Chuck is sending you peace and love.

Chapter 9

The plan was perfect. Sam and Dean were both deeply occupied with naps and would be for some time, which left her free to sneak into the garage. Lily had never actually seen the garage. Sam pointed the entrance out to her on her first free day with an admonition to stay out, but she was not prepared for what greeted her when she opened the door, and she stood in awe for a moment. It was a huge space, filled with the most amazing cars she had ever seen. She walked slowly around, hardly daring to touch the cars, which were probably worth more than her. And there, in the middle of it all was the black behemoth herself.

Lily approached reverently, circling the car slowly before touching it at all. She found some rags, soap and a hose and attempted to set to work. Lily had lots of experience cleaning anything and everything, but not a lot of experience with cars. She made sure the windows were up, and sprayed the car, laying on a layer of water. Then, she gingerly applied the soap and started scrubbing with the rags. The car was significantly bigger than her, so she had to lean into the wet soapy water to scrub the hard-to-reach places, and was soon soaked to the bone.

She was humming to herself, something she had heard Dean play in his room sometimes, when two hands grabbed her shoulders, spun her around, and pressed her hard against the car.

"What. Are you. Doing." It was Dean. He had clearly just woken up, his hair was askew and his eyes were still sleepy, but behind that sleepiness was a crazed look.

"I was…I'm cleaning your car."

Dean opened his mouth, shut it, and then opened it again, spluttering out incomprehensible grumblings. "You…there is…this is…big trouble…go stand in the corner and…and think about your choices young…just go."

He marched Lily over to a far corner of the garage and pointed her, nose-first, towards the wall. "But…I was just-"

"No."

. "Dean! I..uh…Cas needs you for something quick." Sam suddenly came running out waving his arms.

"For what?" Dean sounded downright grumpy, but Sam's distraction was enough to turn his attention away from Lily, allowing her to turn her body around from where Dean had pressed it into the corner. She looked over his shoulder at Sam, who kept shooting her meaningful glances she didn't understand in between sentences to Dean. Finally, Sam, exasperated by her confusion, jerked his head towards the door and mouthed "Go!".

That was all the encouragement she needed, knowing a near miss when she saw one. She snuck around the far side of the car, quickly tiptoeing to the door and out before Dean could see her and call her back for a scolding.

"…and he said that uh… Crowley has…"

"Has what. Hello? Wake up Sammy." Dean snapped his fingers in Sam's face

"Nothing, nevermind." Sam, seeing Lily escape, turned to leave.

"Woah Woah. What was that about?" Sam grunted a non-commital reply and a realization started to dawn on Dean.

"You were covering for the kid, weren't you?" Sam shrugged. "What the hell, Sammy, I thought we were supposed to be a united front on this!"

At this, Sam rounded on Dean. "Yes, a united front Dean. But you go off on the poor thing every two seconds-

"She was touching my car."

"-and don't ever give her a chance. And she was cleaning your car!"

"Which involves touching. She was touching Baby."

"She was trying to help! How can you not see how badly she wants to please you? If she bends over backward any more she'll break her back." Sam threw his hands in the air in exasperation and Dean folded his arms, a frown creasing his sculpted brow.

"We don't know if we can trust-"

"No Dean," Sam was worked up now, "It's not about trust anymore. It's about you not letting her in. And she's suffering because of your hard-headedness. You know, you used to care about the kids we came into contact with."

Dean turned away from Sam but he didn't let up; "Why is it so hard for you to just give her a chance?"

"BECAUSE!" Dean exploded, suddenly rounding on him and Sam pulled up short.

"Because I can't do it anymore Sammy. I can't-" his voice cracked, "I can't keep letting them in. Jo. Charlie. I can't take it. I can't….I can't lose anyone else."

A tear escaped Dean's eye and rolled unchecked down his cheek. He was staring hard at the far wall, turned away from Sam, who stood in shock, heart aching for his brother.

"Dean," Sam laid a hand on his brother's shoulder; "Jo and Charlie weren't you fault, but if you keep pushing Lily away, she will be."

Dean pulled out of his brother's grasp and picked up a mitt to finish what Lily started. He began to wipe down the car methodically and it was clear the conversation was over. Sam sighed and went to leave. "Just…go talk to her, will you?"

And with that he went to find Lily, leaving Dean alone with his anguish.

Lily had gone to take a shower and have a long think about things, and when she got out, Sam was waiting for her by the door.

"We need to talk;" his face was serious. Lily sat down on the bed apprehensively.

"Ok, What's up?"

"It's about the car."

"I was only cleaning it." Lily said glumly, shoulders slumped

"I know and…we didn't tell you specifically so it's not your fault. It's just…Dean's a little weird about the car. He never even lets me drive it."

"Oh…I was just trying to help."

Seeing Lily's downcast countenance, Sam sat down next to her on the bed. "He's just grumpy and has a sixth sense for that car. He's gets a bit…crazy about it. But that was very sweet of you."

"Thanks for saving me"

Sam tossed his head back and laughed. "Yeah, don't get used to it kid."

He reached over and gave her a quick hug before getting up and leaving. Lily didn't say anything. Sam's reassurances and explanations hadn't made her feel any better. She wasn't getting anywhere with Dean. Every time it seemed like he was starting to like her, it all got ruined and he was back to being perpetually angry with her. She took a moment to gather her courage, and then got up and made her way to Dean's room. She knew she was reentering the lion's den, and walking straight back into the likely punishment Sam had saved her from, but she had to do this. Lily raised her hand to knock, but hesitated, suddenly nervous. At that moment, Dean swung the door open to find her standing there, hand raised. Lily jumped, startled, but recovered quickly. She started talking immediately, knowing she would lose her nerve if she waited to hear him speak.

"Dean I just- Sorry, I mean sir…I just want to apologize I guess…and also thank you. I really am sorry about not going to my room…before I mean. With the kitchen. And with your car….I just wanted to surprise you…to make you feel better." She reached up subconsciously and traced a new cut that had appeared along Dean's throat when he returned from the job, but didn't raise her eyes past his neck.

"I'll never touch her again I promise…Baby I mean. And I..I'm so so sorry about freaking out about school. I know you guys want what's best for….and well I was terrible and ungrateful and I never meant...I really am grateful. You've been…I had always dreamed about someone taking me away from Mothe- Rowena, I mean…sorry…and you and Sam…I never even dreamed anything this wonderful. I don't…I'll never be able to repay this I know...I have nothing to give. And I'm just sorry….sorry for being such a…a fuck up!" She used one of her newly acquired swear words that sounded as harsh and broken and imperfect as she felt and bit back the sob that threatened to rise in her as she finished.

"I don't want to be a burden…I'll leave if that's what you want. Just, please forgive me… for everything," she finished in a whisper, suddenly shy, and stared hard at the center of Dean's chest, trying to get herself under control.

Dean stood impassively as she spoke, allowing her to get it all out without comment. When she finally fell silent, they stood facing each other for a moment, Lily awkwardly shifting her weight from foot to foot and fighting the boulder lodged in her throat and Dean fighting an inner battle.

And then suddenly she was crushed against Dean's rock-hard chest. He wrapped her in a bear hug so big she practically disappeared in his arms.

"Oh, Lily" he murmured into her hair. "You give us so much."

He rocked her slightly, holding her for a long time and she clung to him, burying her face into the soft flannel of his shirt. Finally, he gently released her just enough to look her in the eyes. "You were already forgiven, sweetheart. And you are NOT – no look at me - not a fuck up. I don't ever want to hear you say that again, ok?"

Lily nodded, tears glittering in her eyes and Dean pulled her in for another hug before continuing.

"I'm sorry," he said gruffly, "for being so harsh. It wasn't fair to you. I know you're still learning the ropes. Sam and I are figuring all this out for the first time too."

Dean gently stroked her hair as he spoke, cradling her head to his chest. "We don't want you to leave."

He kissed the top of her head before releasing her, pausing to wipe her tears with a calloused finger. "How about we go out to eat? Sound good?"

Lily's heather eyes lit up and she nodded, smiling.

"All right. Jump on, let's rouse the troops." Lily climbed onto Dean's proffered back and they ran down the halls calling "The dinner train is leaving" and pounding on Sam and Castiel's doors.

Sam raised an eyebrow at Dean and Lily, but laughed and joined in the merriment, with Cas trailing behind and inquiring; "But I don't understand, there is a locomotive that brings dinner?"

All of a sudden, as they entered the war room, Sam, who was leading the pack, came up short. Dean arrived next to him and slid Lily from his back.

"Well. If it isn't Grumpy, Dopey, and Bashful. Just the three dwarves I wanted to see." The man speaking was short and dressed head-to-toe in black. His dark eyes were shrewd and scanned over the party before resting on her. "And someone new. What's your name, love?"

Lily didn't answer, suddenly frightened by the dark man's accent, which was so eerily similar to Rowena's. She looked up at Dean instead, who leaned down and said to her quietly "Lily go to your room, close the door and do no leave until we come get you."

He then turned his attention to the man in black; "She's not your problem. What do you want Crowley."

But Crowley's eyes were riveted only on Lily, who hesitated at the exit when she heard her name. "Lily. Now that is interesting."

He began to pace slowly, voice worryingly cheerful. "You know boys, you and I are a lot alike. Your mother left you when you were babes, Mother left me when I was eight. Guess some people are just not cut out for parenting.

Dean growled and took a step forward. "Our mother died, Crowley. And I- we are nothing like you."

"How is this relevant?" Sam sounded more pissed off than Lily had ever heard him, and she suddenly hated this new person with his accent and his swagger so like Rowena's. Crowley continued, ignoring the brothers' responses, still slowly making his circle around the brothers.

"Mother could never be bothered to even keep a houseplant alive. Imagine my surprise then, to find out after all these years, two hundred and ninety seven in case anyone was counting…" his voice rose dangerously "…she has acquired a PET."

At this, he yanked Lily from her spot in the shadows. His grip on her forearm was like a vice and no matter how hard she struggled she couldn't get away. Dean's viridian gaze was like a knife and she couldn't tell if it was for rude man in black or for her, but at the moment felt very much between a rock and a hard place. Crowley leaned down and his sulfur breath wafted into her face.

"Hello, baby sister."