Just Fine Before I Met You

Evie stepped into the motel room and sent both Sam and Sophia small smiles, she could feel the tension in the air as it was obvious neither of them wanted her to know whatever they did. “Hi,” She spoke softly before she turned to look at Dean, she listened to him and sat down on a chair at the dining table. She watched Dean as he struggled with his words, finally the words left his lips and Evie stayed silent for a few seconds. “All the monsters are real?” She asked as she looked at Dean, she saw the surprise flash across his face at how well she was taking it. “I work in a hospital where people die, I’ve heard things and felt cold spots when it’s warm.” She explained as although she’s never seen a ghost or a spirit, she’s heard footsteps and seen the lights flicker when no one has been there.

And she wasn’t the only one, other staff have mentioned similar things happening when they’ve been working their shifts. “All monsters, we hunt them down and either help them move on or we destroy them. It’s the reason we’re here, we have a job with the college kids going missing.” Sam explained to help his brother out, although Sam didn’t agree with what Dean was doing. He didn’t feel like Evelyn needed to know about what they did and how monsters existed, but if she wanted to know then he wasn’t going to hide anything. Especially now if she somewhat knew, and it made sense that she would have experienced spirits that haven’t moved on. Not everyone who dies in a hospital is ready to move on, but apparently Dean hadn’t wanted him to say anything with the glare he received from his brother.

“What? You travel around and hunt monsters?” Evie looked at Dean with concern in her eyes, that’s why he said he often was in trouble. Then suddenly everything fell into place for Evie, “Is that why you had to leave? Did your Dad do this too?” She asked Dean as it all made sense, if John had been a hunter too and had gotten a job then he would have taken his sons with him. Meaning the sudden departure of Dean from Evie’s life, but she still wanted him to tell her if that was the actual reason why he had to leave her like he had.

(Sorry my reply is so short)

(no worries! I figure we'll have Sophie fight with Sam about how Dean shouldn't be telling Evie anything and that's when she heads to a bar/meets Crowley. In a few posts, anyway)

Dean had been trying to find the right words to say, to be able to clue Evie into everything that was going on in his life. Of all the demons, literal and not so, that he fought on a regular basis. Some he would nearly dare to call a friend but he had never gone quite that far. He had never been so involved with a demon that he was able to call any of them a friend. The only true family he had left now that his father had passed away was his brother, his sister, and Bobby. The rest were acquaintances at the very best. He didn't let people in because in his life, people didn't tend to stick around. Whether it was through his own fault and things beyond his control, like clock work, every relationship he had ever had with someone ended. Romantic or not.

Sam burst out with more faux help and it only set his nerves off more. His eyes narrowed as he glared at his brother, shaking his head. He knew that Sam was just trying to help and was trying his best but damnit, Dean needed to do this on his own. He had been the one to leave Evie, he had been the one to hurt her. It was only right.

"I don't just mean the boogeyman or ghosts, Evie," Dean muttered, exhaling slowly as he lowered himself down to the edge of the bed Sam was sitting on. "There's wendigos and there's rugarus and Hell, there's... Hell, too. Dragons are real, too!" Dean exclaimed, a dry laugh sounding from his lips. He gave a shake of his head as he set his face in his palm, rubbing his cheek to try and work through the sudden rush of how very ridiculous his life was. Most of the time, Dean dealt with it because it was his normal but it wasn't normal.

"It's..." Dean trailed off, suddenly feeling like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. "I can't just... I can't just go now. I might have just put you in danger by telling you this."

(That’s the perfect way for Sophie to meet Crowley, at a bar in town. Will she not want Evie to know?)

Evie sat there as she listened to what Dean was saying, she had no idea what a Wendigo or Rugarus was but whatever they were it didn’t sound good to her. She had never been someone who believed in religion as she hadn’t been brought up in that way, but Evie had always hoped there was a place you went after you died. So if Dean knew there was a Hell, it meant there was also a Heaven. It was a lot to take in, so Evie sat there silently for a few seconds so her brain could process this new information she was receiving. But then Dean mentioned that he couldn’t just leave now, like it was what he had planned to do after seeing her at the hospital.

“Don’t let me stop you from leaving again, Dean. I can take care of myself,” She stood up from the chair she was sitting on, she knew that he had felt the same way about the small town as she did when they were sixteen. Or at least he had agreed with her about wanting to leave and explore the world, “If you were planning on leaving then you shouldn’t have bothered telling me. Hell, you shouldn’t have asked to see me again.” Evie grabbed her bag and headed towards the door, she wasn’t going to be the reason why Dean stayed there.

“It was nice meeting you Sophie,” She glanced over to the young girl who was still holding an old journal in her hands, turning Evie opened the motel door and stepped out. If Dean wanted to leave town, then now he could because she could take care of herself. She had learned how to defend herself while she lived in the city, but she highly doubted anything would happen to her just because she knew what was out there. Making her way to her car, she was about to open the door when a hand appeared there and stopped her from opening her car door. “Dean… it’s fine, really. Do whatever you need to here and then leave,” She looked at him and although it hurt her to say it, and she didn’t truly mean it. She wasn’t going to force him to stick around, if he didn’t want to be there.

---

Sam watched as Evie left the room which caused Dean to quickly follow after her, “Well that went better than I had hoped. Still wasting our time, though.” He muttered once his older brother had left the room, he didn’t want to say it in front of Dean because he knew it would start a fight between them. He thought Evelyn was nice and would probably always make Dean happy, but that didn’t mean he agreed with her knowing about what they did and what monsters were out there in the world. There have been times when himself and Dean have had to tell innocent people about what they did, but only because they had to and as far as they knew nothing happened to those people they helped.

But Evie could be different, if anyone found out about her past relationship with Dean then it could cause her trouble or put her in danger. They did have enemies out there, monsters who wanted revenge on them. But then Dean shouldn’t have told her anything, it seemed like the oldest Winchester couldn’t win in this situation.

(since you have Sam anti Evie knowing, Sophie will be for it which I think will work fine)

Dean had felt defeated as he watched Evelyn leave the motel room but he never had been the sort to give up once he found something to pursue. He was pretty sure that he loved Evie and if he didn't, it was as close to the sensation that he had ever gotten. He wasn't so sure he would ever find a girl that could rock his world the same way that she had managed to. And for that matter, he didn't want to.

He wasn't the sort to give up either. The sound of the motel room door clicking shut spurred him to his feet and Dean rushed for the door, tossing it open and allowing it to slam shut behind him. There was no one quite like Evie in this world, he couldn't just let her go. Not when he had just found her - something he thought would have never happened again. There was surely no way he would be able to find her in small town America.

Running up behind her, Dean's hand pinned the door shut so that she couldn't make such an easy escape. He let out a ragged sigh, his shoulders sagging as he hung his head. "It's not that, Evie," he muttered, taking a step back finally. His stomach had twisted into a knot, a situation that he wasn't all that familiar with. "But you knowing puts you in danger and I can't just... let that happen, Evie. Why don't you..." he trailed off, his heart sinking as he looked away from her. "Would you at least think about, I don't know... about joining us? Hunters could always use a qualified doctor, believe me."

---

Sophia was going to keep her mouth shut about the entire situation, she wasn't going to say a damn thing about it because it honestly wasn't her place. She hadn't been around them when they were growing up, she didn't understand just how hard it was to just be making friends, only to be ripped away from them when John finished a job and had to move on. She only knew how hard it was to count down the days until her next birthday because she's get to see her daddy again and she had always been described as a daddy's girl.

But then Sam opened his mouth and she felt the retort bubble up and spill from her lips before she could even consider trying to say it in a less awful way.

"No. We're not wasting out time, Sam. For the first time since I met you guys, Dean seemed genuinely happy. Even if the situation was rocky, at least he has a chance. We practically live on the road so the fact that we happened to have a case at the same hospital that Evelyn works at is a miracle. Maybe it's fate, I don't know..." Sophie trailed off, shrugging her shoulders as she turned toward her brother. "But don't say that. Because it's not true. Dean deserves a chance at happiness."

“He does deserve to be happy, I’ve never said that he doesn’t deserve that. But what we do with our lives, makes it hard on us all to have happiness.” Sam stated as it was true, their lives were far too dangerous. They had lost too many friends over the years, there was no way any of them could actually have a relationship without losing that person as well.

“You have to know that, Sophie. None of us can make that work, we’ve got targets on our backs and so will anyone we care about.” He wasn’t going to sugar coat this subject for her, she needed to learn this before she thought that what Dean just did was the smart move or the right move. He knew that he didn’t help but Dean was going to tell Evelyn the truth no matter what, Dean hadn’t even bothered talking to them about this. If he had Sam would have told him exactly what he thought, to just leave Evelyn out of it and leave her again once they finished with the job.

He wasn’t sure if Sophie has ever loved someone so deeply before that you’d do anything for them, he had that love with Jess and she was stolen from him and it shattered his heart. It took him a long time to deal with her death and move on, he would rather have Dean upset about leaving Evie then see his heart crushed if a monster did get to her. “He doesn’t need this, we don’t need the pressure of protecting her as well.” It was just his opinion and he knew that.

---

Grace looked at him and realised what he was doing, he was trying to keep her safe. But it was much too late for that, she knew now and he had already come back into her life. “Join you…” She looked at him as her eyes widened in surprise, she hadn’t been expecting him to say those words. Biting down onto her bottom lip, it was obvious she was actually considering his offer of joining him and his siblings. But was it a good idea? She really wasn’t happy working at the hospital, she wanted to do more and see more of the world. But she knew nothing about what was out there and what he dealt with on a daily basis, “Do you really want me around? Dean, I can’t just pack up my life if you don’t truly want me.” She looked at him and gently placed her hand on his cheek, making him look at her.

Although she didn’t remove her hand, he could still evoke the same feelings from her as he once did when they were sixteen. Evie was so close to agreeing, even if it was crazy and hard for her to believe. Did she want this? It meant being close to Dean again, was she ready for that? She really didn’t know, she didn’t know what her feelings were telling her. Her head was telling her to get in her car and drive home, but her heart was telling her to stay with Dean. “I don’t think Sam and Sophie want me around,” She couldn’t agree to joining them if his siblings didn’t want her there.

"Evelyn clearly isn't happy with her life, Sam! If she was, she wouldn't have even bothered to meet Dean. She would have walked away when she had the chance and she sure as hell wouldn't have followed him here. Women don't keep pursuing something unless they want it," Sophie argued, throwing her hands wide as if it would amplify her words. She shook her head, fixing Sam with a hard glare before she crossed her arms. "Dean told her, that means she already has a target on her back. Monsters don't just sit and wait for permission, dumbass. They take the first opportunity and seize it because that's how they work. If we leave Evelyn alone, she's going to have to start counting down her days!"

It wasn't until the last words that came out of Sam's mouth that Sophie was really pissed off. She straightened up, her eyes narrowing as she began to make her way over to the motel room door. "You're a fucking asshole sometimes," she started, taking a deep breath. She set her hand on the doorknob before she tossed a look over her shoulder. "This isn't all about you, Sam. The world, it doesn't revolve around you. I know that might be hard to believe for you but not everyone can bow down and listen to what you want all the time."

With that, Sophie slammed the door and began to head to the opposite end of the upper floor so that she wouldn't walk by Dean and Evelyn on her way out. She had no real plan for where she was going but she thought that it was better if she removed herself from the situation for a little while before things turned ugly.

---

"Join, yes," Dean echoed her words, nodding a bit too enthusiastically. His stomach had filled with a sense of dread that he wasn't too sure how to respond to because most situations, it was just removing the threat and he was good. This wasn't that, this was his real emotions involving the girl that he still hadn't forgotten nearly ten years later. If he couldn't find someone else to make him feel the same way she had, there was no one else for him, he was almost sure of it.

Leaning into Evelyn's touch, his eyes lifted to meet her gaze as she spoke. "Every woman that I've ever been with, I end up comparing to you and they don't ever come close, Evie. Every damn day of my life, I wonder what it would be like if I was normal and I could wake up beside you every day. Now, I know I'm not normal and that my life will never be but that doesn't mean we can't face this together," he whispered, raising a hand to cup hers.

"I... I love you and quite frankly, I don't give a shit what Sam or Sophie think because they're not in charge of me. I'm in charge here."

Crowley had overheard everything that had been said between the two younger Winchester siblings, he had followed Evelyn to the motel without her even knowing and he had begun to listen in on what Dean was telling her. The stupid boy had spilled the secret about the creatures that existed in the world, something he had always made certain Evelyn didn’t know much about. Especially considering what he had done to her father while she was still growing inside her mother’s womb, it was her father who made a deal with him. A deal that would keep his family protected because he worked with some undesirable people and he had been worried, so Crowley agreed and after a single year the hellhounds found the man and brought him to hell where Crowley turned him into one of his demons.

But he never stopped keeping Evelyn safe, which is the reason he was there now hiding. However Sophia’s fiery spirit captured his attention, and he found himself following the youngest hunter as she walked along the streets. The setting sun captured her beautiful blue eyes and made her milky skin glow, she was gorgeous and he would admit that to anyone. As he followed her he couldn’t help but grin to himself, Sophia had found herself stepping into a bar in the small town. She really was a Winchester. He waited a few minutes before he walked inside the building himself, he found Sophia was sitting at a table off in the corner. “Can I buy you a drink, darling?” He asked looking at her and he saw that she was about to tell him to piss off.

“It’s just a drink, lovely. Honestly you look upset, I wanted to make sure that you were alright. But I guess if you’re waiting for your boyfriend, I shall leave you alone.” Crowley spoke knowing Sophia didn’t have a boyfriend and that she wasn’t waiting for anyone to join her, Sam had stayed inside the motel room after she left and Dean was busy with Evelyn.

---

Evie listened to Dean and felt a shiver run down her spine at his touch, “I couldn’t move on from you. No one came close to how you still make me feel,” She looked at him as she stepped closer to him, a smile formed on her face. “You’re in charge, huh?” She looked into his eyes as she used her other hand to take his and guided his hand around her waist, even though she wanted to join Dean and it felt right to her. She was still nervous, she’d need to quit her job and pack up the life she has made for herself. It was a huge step for her, a step that she hasn’t had much time to think about. “I’m nervous, I want to join you but this a big step for me. I love you, I never stopped loving you.” All she wanted was to start this new chapter in life with Dean, she had wanted that since they were sixteen.

“But I’ll give in my notice at work tomorrow,” She told him once she had made up her mind, she would be stupid to let Dean walk out of her life again. She watched a wide smile form on Dean’s face as he held her in his arms again, she had always felt at home when she was in his arms and that hadn’t changed a single bit over the years. Leaning up on her toes she closed the gap between them, Evie kissed his lips like she has been wanting to do since she saw him in the hospital waiting room. She couldn’t wait any longer so she kissed him, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders as she enjoyed how he made her feel.

Sophia had honestly not had a single destination in mind but after wondering around for a bit, she was clued into just how small this town was. She stepped into the bar, heading for one of the empty booths in the corner so that she could be alone, so that no one would come bother her. For the first few minutes, it seemed to work because no one had bothered to approach her other than the server. She ordered a glass of bourbon on the rocks and settled into her seat, trying to keep herself together. There was no way in hell that she was going to break down in the middle of a public bar. That was absolutely ridiculous, she was a Winchester and they weren't babies.

Sighing as Crowley approached her, she opened her mouth with a nasty retort ready on her lips. Her eyes narrowed a bit but before she could refuse his offer, Crowley was speaking again and she didn't have the chance to say no. "Boyfriend?" She scoffed, rolling her eyes as she turned away from him. "More like a selfish asshole of a brother," she muttered under her breath, more to herself than anything.

Readjusting in her seat, Sophie grumbled under her breath before tossing back the rest of her drink in one quick, fluid motion. She smirked as she looked over to Crowley. "I doubt you've ever met a girl quite like me any way, probably best you carry on."

---

"I'm the oldest. Of course I'm in charge," Dean answered, his face scrunching as he shook his head. It was easy to him - Dean had been the closest with their father and had learned the most. Even when Sam went off to Stanford, Dean was right there fighting monsters, trying to stop the end of the world that they were so sure was coming. Besides, he was older. Oldest was always in charge, right?

Dean breathed a sigh of relief when Evelyn finally agreed to join him on the road and for the briefest of moments, he was left wondering if perhaps it hadn't been the best idea. She was going to be in danger now and he just... he couldn't do that to her. It wasn't going to be fair to her, particularly because he knew what the worst of the worst was capable. At some point in the future, he knew Evie would be in the wrong sort of situation and he could only hope that he would be able to save her when the time came.

Sighing, his arms slipped around her waist and he pulled her close. For the time being, Dean simply couldn't worry about what the future held. For now, he had what he wanted and that was Evie. He'd spent years wondering about what it would be like and he was finally getting to see exactly what it meant. The tension left his body as her lips met his. Groaning into the kiss, Dean pressed her into the car, his eyes slipping shut. He pulled away for a breath, a smirk settled on his features. "We might have to start getting our own motel room. Leave Sam and Sophie to themselves, hm?"

Crowley couldn’t help but chuckle to himself when he heard Sophia’s comment about Sam, “I’m sure he probably means well.” He looked at the beauty that sat before him, she was absolutely stunning which he hadn’t been expecting. He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t thought she’d be attractive, he guessed it was because of how her older brothers looked.

“And why do you scoff? A gorgeous young lady like yourself, would have men constantly throwing themselves at you.” He told her honestly as that is what he believed, of course he secretly knew why she wouldn’t have a boyfriend although it didn’t seem like the hunter life was stopping Dean from putting his hands all over Evelyn.

He glanced over to the bar and signalled that he wanted two more bourbon on the rocks for their table, “I’m Fergus. And why wouldn’t I want to meet a girl like you?” He asked as he sat down opposite her, he knew he could be over stepping a line but if he was than Sophia would surely let him know.

He didn’t want to tell her that his name was Crowley, just in case her brother’s had already warned her about him. Even though he hated his real name and only his mother used it, it was safer this way as he wanted to continue talking to Sophia. “So are you passing through?” He asked once the server brought over their drinks and set them down on the table in front of them, Crowley sipped his drink as his eyes stayed focused on the brunette bombshell.

---

Evie felt her body press against the side of her car, her heart was beating so quickly she was certain that Dean could hear the thumping from her chest. Any problems or second thoughts that she had about this, vanished once their lips were connected. She wanted this, she wanted Dean back in her life and now it was coming true. So if that meant she had to leave the security of her job and home, then she would do it. She loved Dean more than anything, she’d do anything for him. Hearing his comment about the motel rooms, she playfully rolled her eyes at him.

“We’ll probably have to because I know exactly what you’re like, I’d hate for poor Sophie to see or hear that.” She grinned as her finger tips moved along the back of his neck, “I’ve missed you so much. In every way possible,” She looked into his eyes, she knew there would now be danger in her life and that there was a high chance that she would get hurt. But she understood those risks and she was willing to deal with them, she didn’t care if it was all moving too quickly between them. It wasn’t like they were strangers, it was all familiar with Dean and that made it easy for them to fall back into where things were left.

Slowly closing her eyes, Evie pressed her lips to his once again for another kiss as she couldn’t help herself. She wanted to rip his clothes off right then and there but she didn’t, not that Dean would reject any advances that she made towards him. But it wasn’t the time or place for that next step yet.

Sam means well. What a joke. Sophie scoffed, biting back the full on laugh that slipped to the tip of her tongue. She shook her head, looking over when Crowley motioned to the bartender. She was relieved when the bartender spotted the motion because she honestly did not feel like getting back up any time soon. She was feeling the exhaustion from the past few days setting in all at once and it made her want nothing more than to just sit and drink herself into oblivion. How she would get back to the motel was a concern but then, there was another drink placed in front of her and it was just as quickly dismissed than it had appeared.

"Surprisingly, I haven't had someone approach me up until you decided to waltz on over to me," Sophia answered with a shrug of her shoulders. She eyed the drink in her hand before finally lifting it to her lips and taking a small sip. She had downed the first one almost too quickly, enough that she wanted to savor the second one. And possibly the third if Crowley was feeling particularly giving.

Sophia snorted when Crowley gave his name, her eyes widening just slightly as she took another swig of her drink to try and cover up the noise. "Fergus?" She echoed, unable to contain the grin that spread across her features. "What kind of name is that? I don't mean to offend but..." she trailed off with a shrug of her shoulders.

Glancing off to the side, Sophia's stomach twisted into a knot as she shrugged her shoulders. Don't give up too much information, Soph. "Yeah, something like that. What about you, Fergus?" She asked, letting out another small giggle when she spoke the name.

---

Dean let out a low chuckle, pressing his body right against hers. He wanted nothing more than to waltz right on over to the office and pay for a separate hotel room but he knew that they still had work ahead of them in the morning and he wasn't so sure that it would be easy to separate himself from Evie in the morning if he did. He let out a sigh, his fingers dipping under her shirt. His fingers grazed against the heated skin and it took all of his self control to pull himself away from her. He gave a lopsided grin, reaching up to run a hand through her hair and when he was finished, he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Evie, I've missed you for so damn long." He would never tire of telling her just how much he had missed her.

Tilting his head to the side, Dean let out a ragged breath as he glanced toward the motel room. "Do you want to stay the night?" He asked quietly, biting down on the inside of his lip. "I'm going to have to teach you some things," he started, his stomach twisting into a knot at the thought. Dean wanted nothing more than to keep her safe and at a distance but he just couldn't. He had missed her for so damn long that he was finally relenting. How he would keep her safe, he didn't know. He would just have to figure it out along the way.

"But we'll get to that later."

Crowley grinned, “Then this must have been fate.” Of course he didn’t believe that, fate didn’t even exist and he had also followed Sophia to the bar. Not that she knew that, well he hoped she didn’t and she hadn’t said anything about how that would have been creepy. Lifting the glass to his lips, he took a slow sip of the dark amber liquid which coated his throat nicely. It wasn’t hard to hear the snort that sounded from the brunette as she heard his name, he honestly didn’t blame her either.

“You’ll have to ask my mother that, and yes I do know what an awful name I have. I take no offence, I’d change it if I had the time.” He had grown up with the name and although he loathed the name, he had grown to not be affected by people’s reactions.

Taking another sip he nodded his head, “I’m passing through. Although I come here from time to time, it’s actually nice for a small town.” He could tell she wasn’t giving much away, it was smart not to tell complete strangers that you hunt supernatural creatures. Even if people have been drinking, that could cause a lot of trouble for the siblings. “So are you close to this selfish asshole of a brother? I’m a single child, I wouldn’t know what it’s like.” He looked at Sophia, he imagined she would be a perfect mix of her parents. He had only ever met John, so he wasn’t certain who she looked like more.

---

Evie sharply inhaled when Dean’s body pressed against her’s, then his fingers slipped under her shirt and touched her bare skin. She felt like pinching herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming all of this up, but she knew it was real. The butterflies were still going crazy in her stomach and it was all thanks to Dean, he had a way of making her feel emotions that no man had ever done after Dean. “Yeah, I’ll stay.” Her voice softened knowing she’d just wear one of his t-shirts to bed, she’d pack her bags tomorrow. She lived in her family home which was completely paid off and her’s, she wasn’t sure what she’d do with the house but she didn’t want to think about that right now.

“I know self-defence, I took classes when I lived in the city.” She told him even though she’s never needed to use what she had learnt, but maybe she will now. The thought scared her to the core, but she also knew Dean wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her. But if he wanted to teach her anything, then she’d listen and do whatever he told her.

“Should we go inside?” Evie asked as a cool breeze was picking up and she was beginning to get cold now that the sun had vanished from the sky. She wanted to stay there with Dean alone, but knew he had to tell his siblings that she was joining them. It would be best for them to get that over and done with as soon as possible.

"Every small town is the same, Fergus. Don't try to kid yourself," Sophia answered with a laugh. She shook her head, looking away from him. She had seen more than enough of them over the past few months. It tended to get boring, really. Each town, sure they each would have their quirks but that was about it. They would have a school or two and if things got really fancy, the towns would be all too focused on how the high school football team was doing. Everyone knew everyone, knew everyones' dirty little secrets. "Outsiders don't tend to be welcomed in places like this. It's best to move on before shit turns sour."

Sophia grinned to herself at the thought of Sam and she shook her head almost immediately, on instinct alone. "I'm closer to my oldest brother," she answered quietly, her eyes flicking back to the amber liquid in front of her. "The younger one doesn't want to accept that I can handle myself. Thinks that I'm just a worthless child when it comes right down to it. Even if he doesn't want to admit it," Sophia answered, rambling on and on before she could finally catch herself.

"Why are you here any way?" Sophia asked after a moment, trying to turn the conversation away from her. She raised an eyebrow, tilting her head to the side. "Well?"

---

Dean let out a small laugh at Evie's comment, shaking his head slowly as he reached up to brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't doubt you did but," he paused, his thumb brushing across her bottom lip. "But the creatures that I run into on a regular basis aren't just going to go down with a few swings. You have to be able to use whatever the situation calls for," he hesitated just long enough to take a deep breath. "Knives, guns, and sometimes, even your own blood. Now, I'll never let you get in the way of danger, I promise, but I'd rather be safe than sorry."

He had never really been the overly cautious type but when it came to Evelyn, he was going to do everything he possibly could to keep her safe. Cautious wasn't even going to begin to describe how he was going to be when it came to the woman in his hands. At the end of the day, Dean would do whatever it took to keep her happy and safe. He'd hurt her more than enough abandoning her the first time, he wouldn't do it again.

Dean's hand slipped down, his fingers lacing with hers as he led the way back up to the motel room. "Sam and Soph will take a bit of time to get used to you... but don't take it to heart, okay?"

“Why would things turns sour if you stayed here?” Crowley asked as his hands rested on top of the table, however he knew exactly what Sophia was talking about. Things could turn bad very quickly if the Winchester’s overstayed their welcome in any town they visited, creatures didn’t care if innocent bystanders were hurt. And there were creatures around that had a grudge against the Winchester family, he although wasn’t one of them.

In fact there have been a few times where he has helped the brothers in the past, that was before he found out about Sophia and he was interested in when her brothers would tell him about her.

“And can you handle yourself? I don’t have any siblings, but it could be because this brother is worried about you. Or he could be a dick and still see you as a child,” He lifted his glass up to his lips and took a sip, he looked at her when she asked why he was there. “Visiting a friend,” He stated as it was somewhat true, he would like to visit Evelyn again if he could get her away from Dean long enough.

He wasn’t sure if this was a good idea, having Evelyn get close to Dean again. It would put her in danger, although he’d do his best to keep her safe but it would also mean that she could very well find out what he was and what happened to her father. “So if you’re just passing through, where are you headed?” He asked even though he knew how the boys worked, once they finished a job they would drive until they came across another one.

---

Evie looked at the man standing before her, she suddenly realised that maybe she wasn’t cut out for what Dean did. If something did happen to her, would she be able to at least keep herself alive? She wasn’t sure, “I will? But I don’t want to hurt anyone,” It was in her nature to help people, it’s the reason she became a doctor so she could help as many people as she possibly could. Worry filled her eyes as she looked at him, she wasn’t strong like Dean was and she truly had no idea what actually did exist.

But she knew if she allowed him to leave her behind again, she would regret it for the rest of her life. She did trust him, she knew he’d never let her be in harm’s way. So she’d just learn whatever he taught her and she’d lesson to him if he told her to stay away or stay where she was, feeling his warm hand hold onto her own before she followed him back up the stairs to the second level of rooms.

“I won’t, it just seemed like Sam doesn’t want me around. I don’t blame him, I just hope I don’t cause any trouble for any of you.” Evie held onto his hand as they walked towards the room, she stepped inside once Dean had unlocked the door. She stayed silent when Dean asked where Sophie was, “We had an argument and she left.” Sam spoke as he glanced over to his brother, however he wasn’t expecting to see the blonde still there hanging from Dean’s arm.

(oh my god, I thought I replied to this. I am so sorry!! )

Sophia let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head as she swirled the amber liquid around in her glass. The sound of the ice clinking against the sides was oddly therapeutic for her. It meant the end of a long day most times for her, this was just another example of. She had done her job well, she thought, but she apparently hadn't done enough to keep them focused on the job. Maybe it had been wrong of them to take up this case, maybe they should have let another hunter take it on... then Dean wouldn't have been so distracted by Evie.

But Dean deserved to be happy. He had sacrificed his happiness time and time again for everyone in his life, that it was time that Dean had a chance at happiness. Sophia sighed, reaching up to run a hand through her hair. "Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I don't know how to handle myself, Fergus. That's a mistake everyone had seemed to make and it always ends up biting them in the ass later on," she muttered as a smirk settled on her features.

Sophia lifted her glass up and took a long swig to finish it off before she pushed it toward the edge of the table. "I don't really know where we're going next. We tend to just... we tend to just play it by ear," she answered with a shrug of her shoulders. She sighed, glancing toward him. "What friend are you visiting?" She asked, figuring that she should at least pretend to feel interested. It would keep her in the bar longer which meant it was away from the motel.

---

"Look, I know you don't want to hurt anyone and I'll try my hardest to keep you out of having to do that. It's not fair to you," Dean spoke, letting out a sigh. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close for a moment. He kissed her temple, running a hand through her hair before he unlocked the motel room door. Noticing that his sister was missing, Dean looked to his brother and let out a groan at what Sam said.

"I leave you two alone for a few damn minutes and you're at each others' throats already. I'm beginning to think it was probably a good thing we didn't always know her. Imagine what it would have been like if you had grown up together," Dean said, a shudder running down his spine. He shook his head, grumbling as he pulled Evie over to the bed. "Sophie probably won't be out for too long. Sam and she tend to argue because they're equally stubborn," Dean explained with a huff.

Sam laughed from the corner, fixing Dean with a hard look. "It's funny, hearing you say we're stubborn. That coming from you?" He said, smirking when Dean glared at him. "I hope Evie knows what she's getting herself into with you."

(No that’s fine, it’s taken me a while to reply to our other role plays!)

Crowley liked how feisty Sophia seemed to be, it also didn’t remind him of how her brothers were. “Oh I never said that you couldn’t handle yourself, lovely. I was simply just asking if you could, and it seems like I have my answer already.” If her brothers were allowing her to hunt alongside them, then Sophia was tougher than she looked. Crowley would love to see her in action, and maybe he could if she was going to hunt down the Wendigo that has finally come out of his hiding. He nodded as he pretended not to know anything about her or her family, “Hopefully the next stop isn’t another boring little town.” He spoke as he also finished off his whiskey, the bitter liquid feeling nice against his tongue.

“Someone that I watched grow from a young girl, I visit her as often as I can. She’s alone now, no family left so she fills in her time with work.” He explained knowing Sophie wouldn’t click onto who he was talking about, he wasn’t even sure if Dean had told his sister about the old flame he had with Evelyn. He doubted Dean would have brought it up, not until now of course but Sophie still wouldn’t know much about the doctor that had stolen her big brother’s heart when they were only teenagers.

Raising his hand, Crowley signaled to the bartender to bring them over two beers. If Sophia was a Winchester she would enjoy a good beer, any alcohol for that matter as most hunters did drink when they wanted to forget or block out a job.

---

It was as plain as day that Sam didn’t want Evie there, she honestly couldn’t blame him. But it was happening and he would need to deal with her being around, “I do know what I’m getting myself into. You don’t need to worry about me, Sam.” She wanted to stay nice to Sam, so she bit her tongue to keep herself from telling him off. She had expected this from him, it was natural for him to feel this way about her being there. But she cared more about Dean and always would, she wanted to be with him and if that meant leaving her job and traveling the country. She’d do it in a heartbeat, she lost Dean once in her life and she wasn’t going to let that happen again.

Sitting on the bed she moved closer to him, she still didn’t want to be the reason that the siblings fought. If that ever came true, she’d leave because she knew how important family was. “There isn’t many places that Sophie could go to, but… if there’s something out there… something that took those college kids, should we go find her?” She asked Dean as she looked at him, the bar and diner would still be open and were the closest to the motel. But she was still worried, she would hate to take Dean’s attention away from his younger siblings just because he had her back in his life.

Sophia hated that she wanted to run away sometimes, she hated that things got so bad between her and her brothers that sometimes disappearing seemed like the best option she had left. But she knew what that would do to Dean and to Sam, even if the two of them hardly ever got along. It would destroy her brothers because she was all the had left and they were all she had left, too. She loved her brothers, even if sometimes she wanted to strangle them. Letting out a sigh, Sophie's shoulders sagged as she thanked the waitress for the beer that was brought over for them.

She lifted the beer to her lips, taking a long swig of it as she tried to push away the feelings that swirled in the pit of her stomach. Sophia knew what she was feeling and she knew most times, it ended with her going home with some strange man that she would sneak out on in the morning, before they woke. All because she was desperate to feel a sense of being wanted - Dean was good with the ladies and so was Sam. Sophie, she never really tried her charm on guys because she was used to looking after either one or both of her brothers.

"Is she... happy, at least?" Sophia found herself asking as she set the bottle of beer back down. She raised an eyebrow as she lifted her gaze, fixing Crowley with a look. "What do you think? Think it's even possible to be happy after losing everything like that?"

---

Dean's arm slipped around Evie's waist, pulling her into his side as they sat on the edge of the bed. He set his chin on top of her head, letting it rest there as he considered the potential problems that might occur if he let Sophia do whatever she wanted tonight. He let out a sigh, reaching up to try and rub some of the exhaustion from his features. "She'll be fine," he finally answered, giving a shrug of his shoulders as he pressed a kiss to Evie's temple. "She knows how to handle herself and besides, she probably went to the bar. She'll be back in a few hours. Sam and her don't get along," he paused, tossing a glare over his shoulder, at his brother.

Throwing himself backward, Dean let out a sigh of relief as he laid back against the pillows on the bed. He kicked off his shoes, turning on his side so that he could pat the bed. "Come on, Evie. Lay down and relax," he urged, pouting a bit as he looked up to her. "Please?"

Crowley thought about Sophia’s question before he answered, “I believe she now has a good chance of being happy. Recently a man has entered her life, although I’m still not sure about him.” He answered honestly after he took a sip of his beer, he knew Dean could make Evie truly happy and he wanted that for her. But he could also put her in danger, get her killed even and that wasn’t something Crowley would let happen. “I do think people can be happy after going through such a big loss, it just depends if they allow happiness into their life and if they surround themselves with good people.” He explained to Sophia as she had dealt with loss as well, slightly similar to Evie but still different.

Both hadn’t known their family, Sophia never knew her mother and hardly saw her father while Evie never knew her father but had her mother. However he was to blame for Evie not having her father around, he did after all make a deal for the man’s soul if his family was protected. “Do you think otherwise?” He asked as he was interested in what she thought, if she thought she still had a chance at being happy after everything her family has been through.

---

If Dean wasn’t worried about his sister being at a bar, then Evie wouldn’t worry either. The small town was quiet, nothing ever happened there. Not until the college students were suddenly taken or kidnapped or whatever happened to them, but the bar wasn’t anywhere near that old abandoned farm. She smiled when she saw Dean pout at her, she took her shoes off before she laid down on the bed beside him. “Better?” She looked at him and rested her forehead against his, “Can I help you with the case you have here? Or do you think the kids are fine?” She asked him softly, if she could help then she was going to.

She knew where the farm was, she could take him there. She could be there in case any of the kids were hurt, she had a medical kit in her car. She could get the police out to the farm, she knew she could do that. She just wanted to help, she wasn’t sure how she possibly could but if Dean let her help then she’d do whatever she could. She rested her palm on Dean’s chest when his arms wrapped around her body and held her close to him.

Sophia was quiet as she thought about what Crowley said. She wanted so badly to believe what he was saying, particularly for herself and or her siblings but she just couldn't bring herself to. There was something about knowing all about the monsters that lurked in the dark, that were so ready to lunge the moment that you so much as made the smallest of mistakes, that made it impossible to her. She let out a dry laugh, shaking her head before she tossed back the remainder of her beer. "Maybe it's possible for some people, Crowley. But it doesn't work that way for everyone. Trust me, I would love if it did but it just... it doesn't." Sophia shrugged, looked over to Crowley and offering a sad sort of smile.

"I've seen a lot more than I care to but it's just a fact. Some people have it better off than others. It's shitty but what can you even do about it? Nothing," Sophia muttered, sighing as she dropped her head forward. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to figure out what the hell was running through her mind and to help sort it out. But that did nothing for her. Groaning in frustration, Sophia looked up and fixed Crowley with a frown. "Life is fuckin' cruel. Ain't nothing anyone can do about it."

---

Dean let out a sigh of relief, his arms reaching out and slipping around Evie's waist. He pulled her close to him, his eyes slipping shut as he ran a hand through her hair. God, it felt so much better than he even remembered to have her back in her arms again. With ow relaxed he was, it was smashed to bits and pieces the moment that Evie suggested helping out on the case. Wendigos were dangerous, he wasn't about to let Evie get hurt when she didn't know the first thing about them. "No." Dean's answer was firm immediately, shaking his head as he tightened his grip on her.

"These creatures, wendigos, are dangerous. They're fast and they can sneak up on you. If we're lucky, we'll find at least some of the kids still alive but I can't have you out there, Evie," Dean whispered, letting out a quiet sigh as he reached up to brush a strand of hair behind Evie's ear. "I can't lose you again. Okay?"

Sophia was right, life was cruel in what it would dish out to people. He knew that first hand, growing up in the time he had without a father and a witch for a mother. It was hard, extremely hard on him which is why he worked his ass off until he became who he was today. A demon who ruled Hell, had no contact with his mother and had enough power that no one dared fight against him. “I do agree with you, life only seems to be nice to those that can afford to have whatever they want. I am not one of those people,” He spoke as he looked at Sophia, although he wasn’t wealthy in money he had wealth in his power and that was enough for him.

He didn’t believe in people having luck, he learnt from a young age that he had to work hard for what he wanted and things wouldn’t just be handed to him. “But surely there are times in your life that you adore, that make you smile and make you happy. Life isn’t constantly shitty, at least for me it isn’t.” He stated as he watched her, he was enjoying this. Talking to the youngest Winchester while she had no idea who he actually was, “What makes you happy? I enjoy watching the stars, people watching and alcohol.” He told her as he leaned back against the booth bench and rested his hands on his lap.

---

Evie gazed into Dean’s eyes as he spoke, rejecting her offer to help with the case he was on. Help him with this Wendigo, whatever that was. “Okay… what if I drove you all there, in the Impala?” She couldn’t help but smile at him, she knew his answer would be a no but they had fond memories in that car. “You let me drive it once before, do you remember that day?” She asked him as she did, she loved the day she had spent with him when he drove her in the Impala to the outskirts of the town. He had attempted to teach her how to drive, she had failed miserably as she couldn’t get used to changing the gears.

“You finally kissed me that day,” Evie smiled brightly at the memory, she had parked his father’s car and was sitting on the bonnet. Dean was being charming and sweet as he stood between her legs, he slid her closer and kissed her. It had been Evie’s first kiss and it was still the best kiss she has ever had. She reached her hand up between their bodies, her thumb slowly moving over Dean’s lips. “I miss those days,” She whispered to him.

Sophia wasn't sure what was going on at the moment. She knew that she was genuinely enjoying the conversation with Crowley, that he was interesting and the conversation just flowed. Without any real effort. She couldn't remember the last time that she had felt like that honestly so it was a bit strange for her to want to continue their conversation, when she knew that she would likely never see Crowley after tonight. He was just another guy who wouldn't be able to understand the why and the what to what she did. He wouldn't be able to handle Sophia being gone most of the time, she had alread come to terms with the fact that she was going to be alone for the rest of her life.

So lost in her own thoughts, Sophia jumped slightly when she heard Crowley begin speaking again. She listened as intently as she could, catching the gist of what he said more than anything else. "The beach," Sophia answered without even thinking about her answer to Crowley's question. Sophia often wondered what it would be like if she lived by the ocean and she could go swimming and just enjoy the sun any time she wanted. Sophia's dreams, of what would happen if she ever managed to live her own life, were filled with settling down in a beach town and living out her days enjoying the warm sun. "I travel so much and I don't usually get the chance to visit. I hope to go to one of the places where the water is clear one day. Maybe, you never know, right?" Sophia asked, raising her glass quietly. She offered a small hint of a smile before tossing back the remainder of her drink.

"If you could retire anywhere in the world, where would you retire?"

---

Dean's eyes widened as his nose scrunched - the mere suggestion of Evie driving the Impala was enough to send his heart racing. He shook his head frantically, coughing to help try and cover up the panic that rose in his chest. As much as he had longed to even just see her again, Dean wasn't about to let her drive Baby. Not any time soon, at least. Not until he trusted her driving skills more than when he had left her. "Babe, I don't mean to be horrible but... has your driving improved at least?" He asked, his tone light, not wanting to offend Evie and cause any sort of argument.

Sighing, Dean's grip tightened on Evie at the mention of their first kiss. He leaned forward, pressing a light kiss to her forehead. "One day, when all of this is completely over, I'm going to give you the world," he promised quietly, reaching to run a hand through her hair slowly. "Every single day, I'm going to kiss you when you wake up. And when you get home and every single chance I get to," Dean teased, a smirk settling on his features. "And that's a promise, not a threat."