Dean Winchester had been on the road for hours, the hum of the Impala’s engine and the endless highway his only companions. The hunt had brought him back to this quiet town—an old supernatural case, now resurfaced. But there was another reason he was here, something unspoken that had lingered in his mind.

It had been two years since he’d last seen her, his partner in hunting and so much more. She had left the life behind, choosing normalcy over the endless fight. Dean had let her go, respecting her decision, though it tore him apart. Now, he stood at her door, Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” playing inside, he could hear through the window.

He knocked, unsure of what to expect. When she opened the door, he froze. She looked different—more at peace. But what truly caught him off guard was the little boy at her side, clinging to her leg, no more than two years old, with her hair and eyes that reminded Dean of himself.

She smiled softly, a mixture of surprise and something more in her gaze. “Dean. It’s been a while.”

Dean swallowed, searching for the right words. “Yeah, it has. Heard about a case nearby and… thought I’d check in.”

The air between them was heavy with unspoken memories. She invited him in, and as they talked, the boy played nearby, his laughter occasionally breaking the tension. The house was warm, filled with the scent of home-cooked meals and the comfort of a life Dean had never known.

As they caught up, Dean couldn’t ignore how she looked at the boy, the way her entire being softened around him. When the conversation turned to why he had really come, Dean hesitated. He explained the case but couldn’t bring himself to ask for her help. It wasn’t fair to her, not now.

She seemed to understand, her eyes reflecting a deep emotion. “I’m not that person anymore, Dean,” she said softly, glancing at her son. “I can’t go back to that life.”

Dean nodded, heart heavy but understanding. “I wouldn’t ask you to.” He stares at the boy for a second. "I better go, before your husband show up, right?"