A/N mild sexual content in this chapter

This was a parallel universe or something. It had to be. An alternate reality where Allegra was... a mom, apparently. The only other explanation was that Dean'd been thrown into the future by that feathered asshat, Turiel. It wouldn't be the first time angels made him travel through time (would it really be too much to ask a DeLorean when that happened?), but then... No, no, no, that couldn't be it! If this was the future, that would mean... that little boy... Allegra called him 'uncle Dean' so she would've had to... with Sam?!
Dean was pacing the living room, trying to make sense of what the hell was going on when Allegra came down the stairs and went straight for him. She clasped her hand on Dean's mouth, silencing him before he could speak, and put a finger to her lips.

"Not here," she muttered. 

Dean nodded and let Allegra take his hand. She led him through the house, past the dining room and kitchen, and then went outside, where they continued to a barn a bit further ahead. Allegra kept looking around as if she expected something to jump out of the dark at any moment. She pushed Dean into the barn and turned the lights on. He watched her as she grabbed a nearby canister and poured a thick line of salt in front of the door. A quick glance and Dean saw that the entire barn had salt lines all over the place. Warding against demons, iron plates bolted against the walls, devil traps on the ceiling and the floor... The whole place looked like an upgraded version of Bobby's panic room. It was damn impressive, to say the least.

Dean turned to Allegra, wanting to ask what was going on, but she threw herself at him, pushing him against a table. It happened so suddenly that Dean froze for a second. But when Allegra's mouth collided with his, and she kissed him with ardent desire, Dean lost himself. 
Allegra placed her hand on the nape of his neck, gripping his hair tightly. Dean's own hands immediately slid around her waist, bringing her body closer to his. He felt the beat of her heart. It was racing wildly, just like his was. A slight but insistent push from Allegra's tongue made Dean part his lips. He groaned lightly when their tongues met. His hands somehow found their way to Allegra's top and slipped underneath. She gasped in their kiss as she felt his fingers touch her skin, but she didn't so much as move one inch away.
With their tongues still dancing wildly around each other, Dean became aware that Allegra was taking off his jacket. It dropped to the floor, followed closely by his own flannel and the red one Allegra wore. Dean took her body in his arms, turned them around, and perched Allegra on the table. Her thighs clenched his hips, keeping their bodies practically glued together.

The weeks, months, of suppressed lust were coming out. The jealousy, the fighting, every crappy thing that had happened since Oregon was instantly forgotten. Dean just wanted to be with Allegra. And she clearly wanted to be with him. 
His hand traveled up to her breast. To his delight, Allegra wasn't wearing a bra. Dean cupped her breast and gave it a little squeeze. Allegra gave another gasp. She grabbed hold of his shirt, not to take it off, but to actually pull Dean closer to her. In her action, Dean ground up against her. He felt himself get hard. Allegra felt it too. She pushed her lower body against his, making Dean groan. 

He had never seen Allegra like this. She wasn't hesitating, nor exploring, nor careful like she always was. There had only been a handful of times when she had taken control during their relationship, but Dean had always been the one to instigate their sexual endeavors. Her past with Eric always loomed over her, so she always kept a certain restraint. Not this time, though.   
It was because of this that Dean broke off their kiss. He gripped Allegra's hands to stop her from opening his jeans. He couldn't believe the words that came out of his mouth next.

"A-Alley, w-wait, just... hold on a second here."

"No, Dean, I don't wanna hold on," Allegra said, out of breath, her hands holding the waistline of his jeans. "It's been years since I've seen you, and we... Now that you're back, I don't wanna lose another moment with you."

Her lips found his again, kissing him hungrily. Dean wanted nothing more than to keep going, but he forced himself to pull away again.

"No, Alley, I'm serious; something is going on here! I'm... I'm not your Dean. At least, I don't think I am."

Now it was Allegra who drew back a little. She eyed him curiously, her head tilted slightly.

"It hasn't been years since we've last seen each other," explained Dean. "It was only a couple of weeks ago. In Seattle. The euhm... the Amazons?"

Her eyes widened. She gave Dean a slight push and then slipped off the table. Her hand rested on his chest, but they were now almost at arm's length of each other.

"You mean... Emma? Dean, that was 5 years ago."

"What?!" exclaimed Dean, understanding that the thing he had feared had actually happened. "Son of bitch, that goddamn angel!"

"Angel? Dean, what are you talking about?"

"I've been out looking for you. I was in Oregon, in that park. The one where we... This angel, Turiel, found me there. Said something about me being the key to your grace because you still love me, even after... everything. He asked me what I was willing to do to get you back and then zapped me here."

Allegra stared at Dean. He realized he probably sounded ridiculous right now, but there was no point in trying to spin a story around it. Clearly, a lot had happened (will happen?) in 5 years. And whatever was going down now, Turiel obviously wanted Dean to see it so that he could stop it from happening in his own time. The sooner he found out what, who, and how, the better.

"S-So you're not... You're still..."

Allegra's voice quivered. Dean cupped her face as her eyes began to water.

"Hey, it's me," he said. "Just a me from 5 years ago. Whatever we are here and now, we can change that. I can change that. But you need to tell me everything first. Alley, what the hell happened? Where are we? What happened to you? Where's Sammy?"

Allegra took a deep breath and then nodded. She pointed to a cot against the wall. Dean went to sit down whilst Allegra took a half-empty whiskey bottle from one of the shelves close to the table. She sat down next to Dean, took a big gulp, and then passed the bottle on.

"I don't really know where to start," she said. "You said the last time we saw each other was in Seattle. I suppose Turiel didn't tell you that your meeting with that Amazon was a set-up?"

"No, he didn't," Dean replied, surprised. "What do you mean a set-up?"

"One of the Angels, bitch named Naomi, sent Lydia after you when I didn't return to Heaven after Bobby's funeral. She counted on you sleeping with her. Whether or not she counted on your child killing you afterward, I don't know. She did count on me finding out, though. Naomi hoped it would be the last straw. That I would ask to erase you from my mind. But instead, I went to Crowley, searched for the Amazons when they got away from you and Sam, and..."

"And you ganked them all."

"Not one of my proudest moments. I tortured Naomi, killing her and the angels loyal to her a few months later. Too many things had happened, and I just lost it. But... if we saw each other a few weeks ago in your time, maybe that hasn't happened yet..."

A pensive expression crossed Allegra's face.

"Maybe you're meant to save more than us," she said quietly.

"My main concern is you," said Dean, not too keen on helping out the angel who had orchestrated this whole mess. "What then? After the Amazons?"

"I stayed with Crowley for some time but eventually went to see Sam."

Dean did his best to keep a straight face and not react to the fact that this version of Allegra could be with his brother right now. He took another swig of whiskey as she continued.

"I told myself I only stayed with him to help, but I... I guess I did feel something for Sam. I'd recently begun to hear his thoughts in my head. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was already too late to help Sam. The hallucinations of Lucifer got worse, and... Sam opened the Cage."

"He what?!" 

"He let Lucifer out and became his vessel again. I tried to get him out using my grace like I had before, but I wasn't strong enough. Killing the angels was a step too far into the dark. Lucifer took advantage of that. He attacked me and took my grace away. He got into my head, fuelling my pain. He pulled every thread he could to make me hate you. When he realized I never would, he tracked you down, pretending to be Sam, and threw you back in Hell. Lucifer had by that time taken over and held nearly every demon down there in his power. The only exception was Crowley, who got away because of our deal and because I hid his bones."

Allegra took the whiskey bottle back to drink the last of it and then set it down on the ground. She bit her lip before she continued.

"Lucifer ordered his demons to torture you. Your body and your soul. You died several times, but they kept bringing you back. I... I couldn't let them hurt you anymore."

Dean remembered what the angels feared Allegra would do out of love for him. He remembered what she himself had told him that day on the porch at Bobby's.

"Alley, please tell me you didn't. Tell me you didn't say yes because of me!'

Allegra gave him a weak smile.

"Oh, Dean... When are you going to realize that I will always protect you?"

He dropped his head. To hear Allegra say this after the way he had hurt her...

"Lucifer kept you locked away in Hell as leverage against me, but he didn't hurt you anymore. We... got married and..."

Allegra's breath caught for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

"After a few months, I received word from Crowley. He'd been on the run but managed to strike a surprising alliance with the angels who had escaped Lucifer's grasp. Amongst them was Castiel."

Dean's head jerked up at the mention of his friend's name. Allegra noticed his surprise.

"Lucifer wasn't the only one trapped in the Cage, remember? Michael got out as well but was too weak to do anything at that point. God brought Castiel back. At least, I think it was God, but it could've been Death as well, I don't know. I tried calling both, but they've been... absent. Anyway, Castiel was brought back to life. My guess is so Michael could share his vessel. Castiel still had a remnant of Leviathan power attached to his grace, and Michael needed that to recuperate from his time in the Cage. But the only way he could get to his full strength fast was..."

She hesitated. Dean knew why.

"If I became his vessel," he finished.

Allegra nodded.

"I distracted Lucifer whilst Castiel and Michael attacked Hell to get you out. Many angels died that day. Crowley helped me to escape later. It took me some time to find you, but by then, you were already fully healed, and... you'd already said yes to Michael.'

"What, just like that?"

"Dean, you had no choice. Letting Michael in is the only way to get rid of Lucifer. You made a deal with him just like Sam had with Lucifer. Michael promised he would leave your body the minute Lucifer was defeated, and he would return to Heaven to restore order. I had to return to Lucifer, keep up pretenses and try to do some damage control from here, but... Michael did allow us some time together."

Allegra looked up at him.

"When I saw you now, I couldn't sense Michael in you, and I thought it had finally happened. I thought Michael succeeded, and Lucifer was defeated. That I was free and that you... that we could finally..."

Her voice broke. Dean put his arm around her shoulder and planted a kiss on top of her head. Her hair smelled of lavender. He then remembered there was something else they needed to discuss.

"Alley, I gotta know... that little boy inside?"

Her body stiffened against his.

"He's... my son," she said hesitantly. "He's almost 4 years old."

Dean pressed his lips together to keep himself from breaking down. Sam losing to Lucifer, Allegra being forced to marry him, and to... This was all on him. If he had apologized to Allegra for being a dick during their meeting in Oregon instead of pushing her away and blaming her for everything that had gone wrong, then the whole incident with the Amazons wouldn't have happened, and Allegra wouldn't have spiraled down. She wouldn't have been open to Lucifer.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry for everything I put you through. It's all my fault. If I hadn't screwed it all up for us..."

Allegra interrupted Dean by kissing his lips. Not like before, not animalistic, and lustful. But with care and love.

"Now you listen to me, Dean Winchester," she said as she cupped his face with one hand and leaned in against his forehead. "None of this is your fault. Do you remember what I told you the night of Bobby's funeral? I never gave up on you, Dean. And I never stopped loving you. Not after the Amazon and not when I was with Sam."

'I can't give you up. Because I love you too damn much to lose you, Dean Winchester.'

Allegra's thumb rubbed a tear away from his cheek.

"We always save each other, Dean, even if that means sacrificing ourselves for the other. I would do it all again in a heartbeat if it ensured your safety."

Dean nuzzled Allegra's nose and pressed his mouth on hers. She breathed against his lips as they parted.

"You jump, I jump."

"I'll make it right," promised Dean. "Tell me what to do to prevent this, and I'll do it."

"Find me. Find me and convince me that you still love me. If you love me..."

"I do! Alley, I love you more than anything."

It was out before he knew it. But it was the truth. Dean loved Allegra. He was in love with her. He always had been. If only he admitted it to her sooner... Allegra smiled, and her tears finally rolled down her cheeks. Tears of joy.

"Bring me here," she whispered. "This is where Gabriel raised me. It's just outside Linwood. In Kansas. It's close to..."

"Lawrence." 

Dean gasped at the realization. He couldn't believe Allegra had really lived only miles away from where he used to live with his family before his mother was killed in that fire. Maybe they'd even played together at a playground somewhere. 

"Dean, it's important I return here," urged Allegra. "Gabriel left something for me, but Lucifer found it before I could even look for it and destroyed it. It has something to do with the prophecy, something that will help us. Knock me out if you have to, but just get me here."

"You gonna be difficult about it?" he asked.

"Very." Allegra scoffed. "I promised myself I would never come back here. Lucifer imprisoned me here when I returned to him after your escape. The constant reminder of my past life, the lies, even naming my son Gabriel, is his way of punishing me. I can't leave this place, I'm watched 24/7. Crowley weaseled his way into Lucifer's graces, and thanks to him, I managed to make the barn into a bunker, but it has its limits. Despite being a top dog again, Crowley still hates Lucifer, and he throws me a bone now and then. The fact that no one has come to check up on us is probably his doing as well."

"I'll give him a pass when I see him back in my time then."

"Yeah, about that... how are you getting back?"

"Euhm, not sure. Pray to Turiel, I guess?"

"Then you better go now."

Allegra pulled Dean up with her as she rose. He was reluctant to leave her here alone in this crappy future, but he had no choice. His only shot at changing everything was to face Allegra in his own timeline.
They walked hand in hand back to the door. Dean was preparing himself to start praying when a thought crossed his mind.

"What happened to the Leviathans? You never mentioned them. Did we find a way to get rid of them?"

"Unfortunately not," said Allegra darkly. "They control everything on Earth whilst demons control Heaven and Hell. Lucifer let them have the whole world except for Kansas. But they're not under his protection. Last I heard from Crowley, Michael is destroying their bases with the few angels that remain, sending them all back to Purgatory. But it's taking too damn long."

"Dammit... Alley, do you have any idea how we can defeat them? Anything at all?"

"I heard Lucifer mention a prophet once. A boy named Kevin, I think. He trapped him in Hell right before he went after you. I think he's still there. If you stop Sam from opening the Cage, then maybe you can get to him in your time before demons get to him."

"A prophet named Kevin... Not much to go on, but better than nothing."

"I wish I could do more for you." 

"There is one thing." Dean cupped Allegra face, meeting her gaze. "Fight Lucifer with everything you got. Keep your little boy safe, and wait for me. If Michael keeps his word and leaves my body, I'll come for you. I know I will. So you better be around when I do."

He leaned in to kiss her again. Her lips tasted salty from her tears, but he really couldn't care less and took in every bit of her as she welcomed his mouth on hers. It then dawned on Dean that this was a farewell kiss for her. He had to make sure it wouldn't be for him. He reluctantly started to draw back, but Allegra halted him.

"Dean, wait."

"What is it?"

"There's... There's something else you need to know."

At that moment, something banged against the door, and the couple jumped back. Dean held Allegra close against him, wanting to protect her from whatever was on the other side. 

"Allegra, love, mind coming out?" Crowley's voice. "Little Gabriel wants his mommy to read him a bedtime story. And daddy wants to listen."

Allegra gasped and turned to Dean.

"You have to leave. Right now. Pray to Turiel and get out of here."

"No, I can't leave you here alone with Lucifer," said Dean.

"Dean, you can't win this fight, you have to leave," she begged. "Go back to your own time. Find me, find Castiel, and save Sam. It's the only way, please..."

"Allegra! Come out, please! Gabriel is getting worried about his mommy."

Dean froze when he heard Sam's voice. It sounded so cold and hateful. He took a step to the door, but Allegra halted him by wrapping her arms around his neck.

"It will happen for us, Dean," she said in a hushed tone. "It was only one night, but to me... it was everything. That one night gave me the only thing I still have of you... Our son."

The two whispered words made Dean's heart stop beating. The door opened. Allegra pushed him away from her with all her might as Crowley appeared on the threshold, his eyes wide in shock when he saw who was in the barn with her. A tall man stood in the distance, holding a little red-haired boy by the hand. The man he knew as his brother but who wasn't anything more than Lucifer's vessel here.

"Dean, go!" yelled Allegra. "Save us!"

A dozen demons appeared between the house and the barn. Dean didn't waste another second.

"I pray to Turiel, get me the hell out of here!"

A blinding white light and an immense invisible force swept them all away. All except Allegra, who looked at the spot where the man she loved had been standing just a moment ago.

"Save us..."