The drive to the bunker was silent, each of you lost in your own thoughts, each worrying over what had just transpired. Dean held onto the box of pie as if it was a life raft, his glassy eyes staring straight ahead.

Sam kept glancing at his brother, chewing on his lip as he gave you worried glances through the rear view mirror. You sat there, picking at a loose thread on your shirt, trying to remain calm even though you were quivering on the inside.

So much had just happened that you were still trying to process it all. First you had been worried about Dean with the hunt. Then the two of you had had a sweet time at the diner, which was so rudely interrupted by Jake.

Just the thought of Jake brought mixed feelings. The man had caused you so much torment and pain that you couldn't help but be relieved that he was now dead. With his death it seemed like a part of your life was over, and you would now be able to push it to the farthest corner of your mind, never to let it control you again.

However, you would take it all back if it meant Dean hadn't of fed the Mark. Watching how the Mark had taken over, and turned Dean into a killing machine was horrifying. What was even worse was afterwards, when he turned into a shell of the great man he was, and it broke your heart.

The sun was starting to rise when Sam finally pulled the Impala into the bunker's garage. The three of you were exhausted, the sudden road trip leaving no time for sleep after a grueling hunt. All you wished for was a nice long sleep in your familiar and comfortable bed.

Groaning as you stood up, you grabbed your bag, and Dean's, turning to see Dean hadn't moved from the car. Sam was already out, and was staring at his brother with concern, before giving you a questioning look.

You nodded your head to the hallway, letting him know you had his brother. He gave you a smile before heading off, and you stared at Dean, wondering what type of fight you might have in front of you.

"Dean, we're home. Let's go to bed." You tried, and he looked at you, his eyes full of guilt over what he just did. But he did stand, and like a puppy, he followed you down the hallway, where you paused in front of his door. Opening it, you stood to the side so he could step in first. He did, taking his bag from you, blocking the door.

"Dean?" You questioned.

He finally spoke, and the words surprised you. "Y/N, go to bed. I just need to be alone right now." He told you, before gently shutting the door in your face. It took you a moment before your brain comprehended the fact that he had locked you out.

Taking the five steps to your room, you tossed your bag on the floor before knocking on Sam's door.

Sam opened the door, already dressed in his sleep pants and a plain t-shirt. "Can I come in?" You asked, and Sam stepped back, his silent acknowledgment.

Standing in the room, you began to fidget with your hair, unsure about your next step.

"Please sit." Sam told you, pointing to the edge of the bed. You sat down gingerly, your body a little sore from the fight earlier.

"Dean?" Sam asked, pulling a chair over so he was sitting across from you.

"Locked in his room. Alone." You said, a little hurt that Dean had pushed you away.

Sam nodded, as if it made perfect sense. "Of course. He likes to handle things like this by himself."

The two of you sat quietly for a moment, Sam waiting for you to speak up, not wanting to push you. "Sam, what happened back there, I'm sorry it ended the way it did, but I'm also relieved." You finally told him.

He reached over, grabbing one of your hands in his, offering you support. "What do you mean?"

So you told him, about the diner, and the pie, then being surprised by Jake. You left nothing out, and Sam listened, not interrupting at all, just giving you a chance to talk about it.

"So the Mark took over?" Sam asked, trying to confirm what he had just heard.

You nodded. "And in a way I'm glad. Because that basted hurt me, and other women, and I needed him to pay. I just hate that it turned Dean into a mindless killing machine. All because of me."

Sam shook his head. "It wasn't all because of you. He was bound to snap eventually, I'm just glad it was on some dick that deserved it."

You looked up at him, emotion clouding your eyes. "But now what? He turned me out, what if he blames me for what happened? We were just getting good again. I don't think I can handle any more discord between us." You cried.

Sam wrapped you in a gigantic hug, and you were grateful you had such a wonderful friend to deal with everything together. "He won't blame you, I can promise you that. He just needs some time to come back down, and feel normal again."

You nodded, before standing up and making your way to the door. "Are you sure you're alright Y/N? He left some pretty nasty bruises on you." Sam asked.

"I'll be fine, I'm just sore. See you in the morning. And Sam, thank you, for everything." You told him, pausing at the threshold.

"Of course. You're like a sister to me." He told you, the words bringing a smile to your face.

Slipping into your room, you grabbed one of Dean's old shirts from your drawer, before undressing and pulling it over your head. Turning the light off, you slid into your cold and empty bed, already missing the comfort and heat Dean brought.

Cuddling into a ball, you tried not to think about what had happened. Instead you turned your thoughts to what you could do tomorrow, because there was no way you were going to let Dean ride this out on his own.