7 Months Later
Dean and Sam were giving Charlie a ride back to her place after their afternoon of LARPing in Moondor. There was happy conversation, laughter, and general contentment in the car. Dean glanced in the rear-view mirror and smiled at Charlie. His impromptu little sister. They were turning off the highway toward Charlie's place when the air of happiness was shattered by something large hitting the hood of the Impala. Dean jerked the wheel and slammed on the breaks.
"Jeezus!"
"What the hell!"
"Holy crap!" The car screeched to a stop. All three of them jumped out of the car to see what had fallen out of the sky. When Sam realized it was a person he rushed over, Dean not far behind, gun ready just in case.
"Charlie get the blanket out of the trunk!" Dean said when he realized that the person wasn't wearing a stitch and was definitely a woman. She had landed on her side away facing away. She was covered in scratches and bruises, not all were new. Sam gently turned her over to see the extent of the damage. When he did, he had to rub his eyes to make sure they weren't playing tricks on him. He glanced over his shoulder at Dean. Charlie rushed over with the blanket.
"Hey, isn't that…"
"Andy," Dean whispered.
They got her into the car. She was covered in wounds. Two puncture marks on her chest, a set of three lines running down her side and one on her arm were bleeding freely. Others that covered the rest of her body were clearly fresh but not bleeding. Sam drove, Charlie rode shotgun and Dean cradled Andy in his lap as he pressed strips of an old clean t-shirt to her wounds. They took her to Charlie's place. Dean carried her to Charlie's guest room and laid her gently on the bed. Sam came in with the med kit which he had grabbed from the car. Together they patched Andy up, and Charlie got her into some clothes. Andy stayed unconscious through the whole thing. Once they had her settled, they all had a stiff drink. Finally, Charlie asked.
"What the hell happened to her?"
"Purgatory is a rough, bloody place. I can't believe she survived so long without any major damage," Dean said.
"She's a tough customer. She'll be ok Dean," Charlie said putting a comforting hand on his arm. Dean smiled at her sadly and squeezed her hand.
Andy slept through the night. Dean sat vigil the whole time. Fussing over changing her bandages regularly, holding her hand when he wasn't. He couldn't stop staring at her. Cas had just re-appeared suddenly, and now Andy had literally fallen out of the sky onto his car. Dean didn't know what to think. Memories were crashing into him over and over. Seeing Andy in the portal. Realizing when she hadn't come through. Dyson's promise to get her back. He couldn't believe, after seven long months without her, Andy was here. She was back. Dean drifted off to sleep, guilt churning through him for leaving her in that hellscape alone for so long.
Andy woke with gasp. She sat bolt upright thrashing as she tried to figure out where she was and what might be coming after her. Suddenly someone was beside her. Hand on her shoulder. A voice calling her name. She looked up and saw Dean's face above her. Eyes tight with concern.
"Andy, it's me, you're ok."
"Dean?"
"Yea baby it's me."
Andy hesitated a moment, searching the face in front of her. Trying to figure out if he was real, or if she was dreaming. Dean touched her face gently and ran a thumb over her cheek. Andy breathed in deeply, then reached out to him and locked her arms around his neck. Dean held her tightly back, fighting the emotions that threatened to break him.
"You're safe Andy. You're back, it's ok…it's ok," Dean climbed onto the bed and held her to him. The spent a long moment, just holding each other on the bed. Finally, he pulled away kissed her on the head and looked her in the face.
"How the hell did you get out?" Dean's voice was rough. Andy could hear the guilt in it. It hurt her heart to know he had been suffering with it for months.
"Hel…pulled me out," she said softly. Dean's eyes widened. "I mean the goddess, not the place." He relaxed a bit. Andy stretched slightly and hissed in pain as her fresh stitches pulled. "And apparently thought it would be a good joke to drop me on your car."
"Dyson?"
"That's my guess. Hope he didn't do anything too stupid." Andy looked around. "Where are we?"
"Charlie's place."
"Charlie?" Andy smiled. "Awesome," she said with a breath. She leaned back against the wall for a moment and closed her eyes, then she sat up and swung her legs off the bed.
"Whoa, whoa. Where do you think you're going?" Dean said, holding her down.
"I'm getting up, I want to see Charlie, and Sam," Andy said fighting against Dean.
"No way. You just got dropped out of Purgatory. You are covered in wounds. You need to rest."
"I'm well aware that I am covered in wounds Dean, I was there," Andy said hotly. "The werewolf that did the majority got what was coming to him though." Dean's eye narrowed, understanding. He ran a hand along her arm soothingly. Andy sighed, accepting the comfort. "Dean, I just slept most of a day. I want to get up." Dean kept holding her, looking at her with a mix of concern, and anxiety.
"Andy, please. Just…rest. For a little bit longer. Please." Dean said firmly. Andy groaned.
"I hate it when you say please." Dean looked confused. "I can't say no when you do," she said resignedly. Dean smiled, satisfied he had won the battle. Andy stayed in bed for Dean, but when he brought her a few pieces of toast, soup, and a large glass of water and tried to feed her, Andy nearly punched him.
"I am not an invalid Dean!" she shouted, "if you're going to treat me like I'm fragile get out." The look he gave her was a bit hurt, but he left. Andy sighed. She had been conscious for less than 15 minutes and she was already picking a fight. She drew her knees up to her chest and hid her face. She heard the door open softly and looked up. A red head peeked around the door and gave her a smile.
"Hey Charlie," Andy sighed and unfolded.
"Hey. So, some crazy happenings huh?"
"You said it." Andy said leaning back against the headboard. "Thanks for putting up with us, considering you told us to never contact you again," Andy said pointedly. Charlie laughed and shrugged.
"Hey, it's not every day I get to see a hot naked chick fall out of the sky."
Andy raised an eyebrow at her. They both burst out laughing. Dean poked his head in.
"Hey, you're supposed to be keeping an eye on her, not wind her up." Andy glared at Dean, and he retreated. Andy and Charlie chatted while Andy ate the food Dean had brought her. Surprisingly, they had a good deal to talk about. Charlie filled her in on what had been happening with her, and Andy told her bits and pieces about being stuck in Purgatory with Cas. Andy felt at ease with Charlie in a way that surprised her. At one point they hear something bump against the door of the room, but no one came in. Andy sighed...again. She guessed Dean had decided to stand guard at her door. Charlie glanced in that directions as well.
"Do you know what's up with him?" Charlie asked. Andy didn't bother pretending not to know what Charlie was talking about. She put a hand on her head.
"Honey, I don't even know what day it is let alone what is currently eating at Dean Winchester."
"January 24th." Charlie said. Andy looked up at her.
"What?"
"January 24th. The date." Andy's eyes widened.
"You're kidding me." Charlie looked puzzled.
"No…"
"Oh my God."
"What?"
"It's Dean's birthday today." Charlie's eyes bugged out.
"No way!" Andy nodded and sighed. "We have to do something! Celebrate!" Andy shook her head.
"No, Charlie. They don't see birthdays the same way most people do. They never got them as kids, and they barely notice when they come around."
"Ok, no crazy party then. But we should do something!" Andy smiled and looked at Charlie. She motioned her to lean closer.
"Pie!" Andy whispered. Charlie smiled and stood.
"Done!"
"Send him back in ok, and tell Sam. See you in a while." Charlie nodded and left. Dean came back in not meeting her eyes. Andy just looked at him until he finally gave in and met her gaze. She lifted the sheets and waved him over. Dean quietly kicked off his boots and crawled into the bed next to her, putting an arm around her as she snuggled into his chest. Before Dean had a chance to say anything Andy took a deep breath of his scent and sigh out.
"Gods, I missed you Dean," she said quietly and snuggled closer. She felt the catch in his breath, and he held her a little tighter.
"I'm so sorry Andy," he whispered into her hair.
"Dean, what have I told you."
"I can't help it. I left you there. In Purgatory, alone."
"That was not your fault Dean. Not by a long shot. If anything, it was mine."
"How could me abandoning you be your fault?"
Andy sat up at that and stared at Dean.
"Dean, you did not abandon me."
He made to say something, but Andy put a finger to his lips. "I thought I was human enough to go through the portal. Obviously, I was wrong. I belonged there. I had been lying to myself Dean. I'm not all human. It was my own pride that kept me stuck in Purgatory. Not you. Never you." Tears were in her eyes now. "I'm sorry Dean. I'm sorry you had to go through that." She touched his face. Then leaned in and kissed him softly on the mouth. "But I'm here now. I'm home with you. And I am not going anywhere." She kissed him again. Dean wove a hand in her hair and kissed back. She could feel the hurt, the guilt, the relief he was feeling through that kiss. He pulled away; his cheeks were wet with tears. Andy kissed the wet tracks on his cheeks. "No more tears sweetheart. It's bad luck to cry on your birthday." Dean looked at her eyes wide. She gave him a small smile and kissed him again. Then she settled back to where she had been. Head on his chest, arm around his waist. Listening to the steady beat of his heart. She closed her eyes and sighed, lulled by his gentle rhythm. Andy woke to a gentle tap on the door. She looked up at Dean, who was sound asleep. She rolled over and saw Charlie poking her head in. She had a huge grin on her face. Andy smiled back at her.
"Pie?" she mouthed to Charlie, who nodded emphatically. Andy nodded back and held up one finger asking for a minute. Charlie ducked out. Andy rolled back over and kissed Dean on the cheek. His eyes fluttered open, and he smiled when he saw her face. He reached out a hand and brushed her hair out of her eyes. Andy kissed his hand, then slid away from him and got up. He made a small sound of protest.
"None of that Dean. Come on, I'm hungry." she said, holding out her hand. Dean got up grudgingly and took her hand and they went into the living/dining room. There were candles lit everywhere. Charlie and Sam stood in front of the table with big smiles.
"What's going on?" Dean asked suspiciously. He looked from Andy to Sam to Charlie and back. Charlie and Sam stepped away from the table revealing four different kinds of pie. One had a birthday candle stuck into its center. Dean stared, amazed. Sam and Charlie laughed. Andy reached up and kissed Dean on the cheek.
"Happy Birthday baby." She gave him a push toward the pie. "Blow out your candle!" Dean looked back at her. His face was glowing with happiness. He blew out his candle, everyone clapped, and then they all had pie until they were fit to burst.
Dean was stretched out on the couch, Andy sitting on the floor by his head. He reached over and touched her face softly. She looked around at him and smiled. He kissed her cheek.
"You're awesome," Dean said. Andy chuckled.
"Thanks babe." She leaned up to whisper in his ear "Your present can come later." She winked at him glancing at the bedroom door. "Whenever you want a baby. Say the word." Dean breathed out gustily and swallowed. His eyes went dark with lust. Andy patted his cheek. "Easy tiger, we're still in public." He glanced at Sam and Charlie and sighed heavily. Andy smiled. It was hard to believe only 24 hours earlier she had been fighting for her life against every type of monster imaginable. Now she was safe, fed, with people she loved and trusted.
The moment Andy made an incautious move that pulled at one of her wounds and she winced, Dean was on her.
"You ok? Maybe it's time we all turned in," Dean said.
"I'm ok Dean, just pulled some stitches," Andy said a little exasperated, "but, I don't hate the idea of turning in," she continued with a small smile. Sam was kind enough to take Charlie's couch to sleep on, allowing the recovering Andy, and by extension Dean, to take the spare bed. When they were in the bedroom, Dean sat down heavily on the bed and leaned against the headboard. He looked wiped out, but happy. Andy smiled to herself, looking at him. She had missed him so much over the past few months. Dean noticed her looking at him and cocked his head at her. He lifted an arm, inviting her to cuddle up to him giving her a look that said 'I'm waiting…' Andy crawled up the bed carefully and tucked herself into the comfort of Dean's side, his arm settling around her. He kissed the top of her head and gave her a gentle squeeze.
"It's good to have you back," he said quietly. Andy hummed contentedly.
"So, fill me in babe, what's been happening here while I've been gone? Are the leviathans done? Is Kevin ok?"
"Whoa, slow down," Dean said rubbing her arm. She felt him take a deep breath, then sigh it out. Dean started talking, first about coming back without her, getting to Louisiana and bringing Benny back. Andy nodded; she had grown to like Benny a lot. She hoped he was keeping himself safe. Once Dean started talking, everything just came pouring out. Finding out Kevin was missing, that Sam had just given up on everything and not gone looking for Kevin, or Dean in the year that he was in Purgatory. Andy was shocked by that revelation and decided that she and Sam were also in need of a bit of a chat soon. Dean went on about Kevin and managing to get him safe, more or less, and continuing to translate the tablet.
"He found a reference to a spell that can close the gates of Hell. Like completely, all demons get sucked back and the gates close forever. So he's working on figuring that out," Dean said. Andy let out a low whistle.
"Wow, that's…something," she said shaking her head. There was a quiet moment before Dean took another deep breath.
"Cas is back," Dean said quietly. This made Andy sit up and look Dean right in the face.
"What? For how long?"
"A month or two. We think something pulled him out, like you I guess. More likely some angel dick than Hel though. Did he…did you…" Dean couldn't quite find the words. Andy look away for a moment.
"When…when I didn't go through with you, and Cas…let you go, we both ran. The leviathans were coming, more and more, and I ran one way, and Cas drew them off me. I didn't see him after that. I did hear a rumor at one point that something had happened to the angel, but no one could tell me what. I thought he was dead," Andy said.
"No, he's not. But…" Dean hesitated. Andy look at him questioning. "I don't know…he came back, different." Andy rolled her eyes a bit at that.
"Dean, babe, we all came back a little different from there," she said.
"I know, believe me I know. But Cas, I don't know, something is really off with him. He doesn't remember how he got out, or if anything pulled him out. I remember every detail going through that portal. You remember that it was Hel that pulled you out…by the way. How the hell did she pull that off? It must have taken a lot of power."
"I think the fact that Dyson was in there for so long killing monsters with his blade that she's gotten a bit supped up from all the new souls. They give off a lot of power right? More souls, more power, more ability to do powerful shit."
"Huh, I guess that makes sense," Dean nodded, "anyway, Cas is around…but…it's different." It was Andy's turn to nod. Dean looked away and crossed his arms over his chest. Andy moved up to him, swung her legs over his, and sat down on his thighs.
"Dean Winchester, look at me," she said with more authority than she felt. Dean looked at her startled. "It is not your fault," Andy said pulling his arms off of his chest and taking one of his hands. She kissed it lightly. "Cas is not your fault," she pulled his other hand up to her lips, kiss, "Kevin is not your fault," she leaned forward and kissed his forehead, "I am not your fault" She moved in to press her lips to his and waited, his eyes met hers. For a brief moment, they stayed closed off, hiding the pain and guilt Andy could tell he was feeling, then the dam broke, tears filled his eyes which he closed and leaned into her kissing her with an intensity that came from months of being apart, and a profound relief of being understood. When the kiss ended Andy pressed her forehead against Deans. "We will figure all of this out, and we will do it together. Do you understand?" Dean nodded and sighed out a shaky breath. She kissed him again, wanting, needing to feel the connection again. The kiss deepened, Dean's arms were around her, running down her back to her hips and up again. She broke away for a moment to slide her shirt off. Dean looked at her a mix of concern and desire on his face.
"You sure?" he said softly, putting a hand on her cheek and running a thumb along her cheekbone. In answer she turned into his hand and kissed his palm, then grabbed his shirt pulling his chest towards her and kissed him again. Then she pushed his over shirt off his shoulders and pulled it away from his arms. Getting the message Dean broke away from another passionate kiss for just enough time to strip his t-shirt up over his head and they were back in each other's arms. Skin on skin, bodies screaming at them to get closer, touch more, climb inside of each other and never stop.
When they finally came up for air, they both slept deep and long. The next morning, they said goodbye to Charlie and finally got going. Andy asked if they could pick up her bike. Dean looked at Sam, who looked a bit guilty.
"Please tell me you didn't leave it there…" Andy said.
"I'm sorry Andy," Sam said pathetically.
"Damn it," she said quietly.
"It's worth checking. Maybe we'll get lucky." Dean said glancing at Andy in the back seat. Andy rolled her eyes and sighed. They drove the two days from Michigan to Seattle, after Andy shamed Sam for abandoning her baby. For once, they were lucky. Her Triumph was, more or less, intact. It needed some serious loving care though. They rented a trailer and found a motel close by. Andy worked on her bike for days. Cleaning, tuning, getting a few new parts. Dean watched her with a quiet pride. He was so grateful that she was back with them. At night, Andy and Dean climbed into each other. Making up for lost time. Sam caught wind of a case the same day Andy was satisfied that her bike was road ready again. It turned out to be a surprisingly simple, cut and dry, salt and burn. They were just getting ready to check out of the motel and move on to a new place when a sound came from the closet door. There was a thump, a rustle and the door burst open and a young, dark-haired man in a blue suit fell out of the closet and on to the floor of the motel room.