You should have been happy. Sitting there, on your porch, a glass of freshly brewed iced tea in your hands, everything should have been perfect. However, you found yourself remembering that fateful night that had changed everything, your heart aching as if it had happened yesterday.

A hunt had taken a turn for the worst. Your best friend, Amanda, had been overtaken by the pack of hungry werewolves, torn to shreds in front of your eyes. And that's when you knew, your hunting days were over.

Dean had taken your news the hardest, just as you had expected he would. Not only had you left hunting, but you were leaving behind everything that went with it, including the man you loved.

"Please Dean, don't follow me," you had pleaded. "Let me go. Fadeaway into the normal. Away from this...pain."

"Away from me?" He had asked, his mossy green eyes were full of pain.

"I'm sorry," was the last thing you had said to him before fleeing. Away from hunting and the bunker. Away from the best people you had ever known. To this life. A very normal life.

That had been three years ago. Three long years. You had found the most normal town you could think of. Got a job as a waitress. Found a small little bungalow that was all yours. Everything you would have normally done before hunting had gotten in the way.

But hunting had seemed to follow you, as much as you would let it. Your front door mat had a devil's trap painted below. Containers of salt were carefully placed in every room, along with iron. Along with a couple of guns carefully hidden, that's as far as you let hunting follow you.

"Morning Y/N!" Your neighbor Suzie called out. She was pushing a smart-looking pink stroller down the sidewalk. "What a beautiful day for a walk. Want to join me and this little cutie?"

"No, that's all right," you answered back and she kept on moving.

Sighing, you sat down your glass of tea, just as your phone rang. "Hey Stevie," you answered, your coworker on the other end.

"Listen, I know you're off today, and I was wondering," She started. "This morning sickness is kicking my butt. Do you think you could take my shift tonight?"

You had really been looking forward to having the night off. Especially after working every day for the past 6 days. But you couldn't say no to Stevie. "Sure," you answered.

"Thanks, Y/N! I owe you!" She exclaimed before hanging up.

Dropping the phone on the cushion beside you, you stared out at the tranquil street. Your neighbor across was out watering her prize-winning roses. Across from her was an older couple sitting on their porch. He was reading the newspaper while she sipped on her tea.

People walked up and down the pristine sidewalk, many pushing baby strollers. Everyone was smiling. And it was starting to drive you crazy.

It shouldn't have been. It's what you had so desperately wanted, no needed after that dreadful hunt. You had wanted everything normalcy could bring you. But it didn't feel right. Sure, the people were nice, but you still felt like an outsider. Living a fake life, watching as their lives blossomed. They fell in love, started families. And you? You hadn't been able to force yourself to move on yet. Not after everything.

Being here, forcing yourself to smile while everyone had no idea what you had been through. It was harder than you expected, and sometimes you picked up your phone, staring at his name. Wishing you were brave enough to press the green button. But you had burned that bridge, and he would probably never want to hear from you again.

A couple of hours later you were tying your apron on, getting ready for another day at work. The place was packed, as usual after the college's baseball game. The owner, Karen was barking orders while the cook Steve tried to keep up. Pasting a fake smile on your face, you pushed past the swinging doors, stopping immediately.

There he was. Dean Winchester. The man that had haunted your dreams ever since you had moved to this tiny little town. He was looking down at the tattered and stained menu in his hands. His grey flannel shirt rolled up to show those strong forearms. His hair seemed a little longer than you remembered, and there were more lines on his face. But it was him.

Your knees shaking slightly, you did the only logical thing you could think of. Turning around, you pushed back through the doors, pressing your back against the wall. "Y/N!" Karen exclaimed. "We've got a full house out there today. There's no time for dawdling."

Taking a deep breath, you stepped back into the dining area. Dean was still staring down at the menu, his mossy green eyes staring down. He was alone, his brother nowhere to be seen which surprised you.

He was on your side of the restaurant, which didn't surprise you. Of course, fate would throw you back together once again. Your hands shook slightly as you stepped up to the booth. "Double cheeseburger, fries, and a slice of apple pie?" You asked, knowing exactly what he normally would order.

"How the hell do you know my...Y/N?" His green eyes were wide with wonder, his plump lips parted in shock. "What are you doing here?"

"I work here," you answered. You could feel Karen's eyes burning into the back of your neck, and you knew you needed to move on to the next customer soon. "So, did I get the order right?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, refusing to take his eyes off of you. "Yeah, of course, you did. You always knew what I liked."

You scribbled it down on the order form. "It will be a couple of minutes." Turning to leave, he reached out and grasped you by the wrist.

"Don't go. Please," he pleaded.

"I have to work," you argued, even though it felt so good to see him again. You wanted to sit with him, to be with a person who understood everything you've gone through. That's seen the same craziness that you have.

You pulled away, steadying yourself as you handed off his order. "He's handsome," Karen came over, snapping her gum, her bright red hair piled high on her head. "And you're not getting any younger."

You rolled your eyes. "Thanks. But he's just an old family friend, passing through town. That's it."

"Honey, I don't think you believe that. And he can't keep his eyes off of you."

Winking, she pulled a couple of plates from the warmer. Her words rang true, you could feel Dean's gaze hot on your back. You wanted to turn around but refused to. You had work to do, and you had no idea how you were going to handle him.

You didn't have to worry about that for now. With the place being packed, you were kept on your toes, feeling drinks, taking orders. But the whole time you could see Dean watching you, his expression unreadable.

When his order was ready, your hand shook slightly as you brought it over to him. "Extra bacon, on the house," you told him, setting down the burger in front of him. Reaching down, you snatched a fry from his plate, tossing it into your mouth.

"You're the best," he exclaimed before shoving his mouth so full of the burger his cheeks bulged. "Y/N, I want to talk to you," he mumbled, his words hardly recognizable with his mouth so full.

You shook your head. "Not here. Later. Come by my house."

You took a slip of paper, writing your address on it, and slipped it to him. When reaching for the paper, his hand grasped yours. "It's really good seeing you again."

Tears started to fill your eyes, and you quickly turned away. If he saw those tears, well he was Dean Winchester after all.

The rest of the evening rushed by. Dean had left quickly after you had passed the paper, taking his burger and pie for the road.

The crowd thinned out, and Karen let you leave early. Your house was within walking distance, and it gave you time to think. Think about what you were going to say to Dean. Wonder what he was doing in town. You had kept your eye on the news, and nothing had seemed suspicious. But you had seen how surprised he had been at the diner. So you were completely confused.

The familiar black Impala was parked out front, and Dean was leaning against the passenger door. Suzie was watering her flowers. There were puddles underneath as she stared curiously at Dean.

You waved at her, letting her know it was okay. "Nice house," Dean said as he pushed away from the car. "Seems like you're doing well."

"It's a rental," you offered as you pushed the door open. "It's nice, and it came furnished."

"Hmm," he answered, peering around. "Seems like a pretty nice setup. You must be happy here."

You ignored that comment, pulling out a bottle of whiskey and pouring a glass for each of you. Sitting down on the edge of your armchair, you got right to it. "Dean, what's up? Why are you here."

He sat across from you, the glass resting in his hand but he made no move to drink. Swirling the liquid around, he finally glanced up at you. "It was the best damn coincidence I've ever had."

"Huh?"

Dean chuckled, setting the glass down. "Y/N, I did everything in my power to let you go. You deserved all of this and more. I hunted with Sam. But you were on my mind every single day. Then imagine my surprise, as I was stopping on my way back to the bunker, to see you. For the first time in years."

"Bunker?"

"You've missed out on so much," he replied. "But tell me the word, and I'll be gone. Leave you to...whatever this life holds for you."

You gave him a half-smile. "What word?"

Dean's eyes watched you closely. "I just want to know you're happy. Tell me that, and mean it, and you'll never see me again." You could see how much the words cost him, but you were grateful he was giving you the chance. A chance at a normal life, away from monsters and death, and horrible things that crept up in your nightmares.

But was it what you really wanted? To live with only every day worries. To make small talk with your neighbors at the grocery store. To wait tables for the rest of your life. To not have Dean Winchester in your life?

You had missed the stubborn man with your whole heart, and seeing him here made this decision even harder.

A tear slipped down your cheek, giving away your answer. Instantly he was pulling you to your feet, wrapping you in those arms you had missed so much. "Damn it Y/N, why didn't you call?" He ground out, his hold on you almost crushing.

"I almost did. Each and every day I would pull your name up on my phone. But this is what I had thought I needed. That if I just gave it a little more time," you sniffed. "But it didn't erase the memory of Amanda. And I missed you. So freaking much."

"Come home with me," he offered, using the back of his knuckle to wipe away your tears. "Sure, there's still hunting, and with that comes pain. But it's different now. We have a home, a place we belong. And you belong there too."

All it took was a nod from you before Dean was swirling you around the room. Within an hour your life here was packed up, placed in the back seat of the Impala. You tossed the keys over to Suzie, knowing she would help you out. She clutched them tightly, winking your way as you settled in the passenger side of the Impala. It finally felt like you could breathe. That everything was going to work itself out.

Dean reached over, threading your fingers through his. "Best pit stop ever," he exclaimed, and you had to agree. Dean had just saved you from a normal life, and you couldn't be more grateful.