Gabriel was fifteen. The shop was called Just Desserts - the best damn candy shop, this side of anywhere, as far as he was concerned. The owner, a man named Garth, skirted across the shelves, grabbing treats and filling bags with an ease and talent that reminded Gabriel of an angel. He grabbed a swirly lollipop and skidded to a stop before Gabriel, leaning over the counter and offering him the treat.

"How's my favourite costumer?" Gather inquired.

"I'm great, Garth," Gabriel smiled, "At least, I am... Now that I'm here."

"Sorry, Kid," Garth smirked, "I'm way too old for you. I'm flattered, though."

"God! Garth! NO!" Gabriel laughed.

"Family still being a hassle?" Garth wondered.

"Yeah," Gabriel sighed, "They want me to start working, but I don't wanna work for Michael or Lucifer."

"Quite a predicament," Garth considered, "Hey! Why don't you come work for me - Here at the candy shop?"

"Really?" Gabriel's eyes lit up, "You'd do that for me?"

"Of course I would," Garth smiled back, "Who knows. If I still like ya, I might give it to you when I get too old to run it, anymore."

"Thanks, Garth," Gabriel beamed, "You're the best."

Sam Winchester sat beside Jessica Moore at their graduation. He was called up to the podium to give his valedictorian speech.

"I don't wanna drag this on," Sam began, "Because I'm fully aware that we all want to go home, so I'll make it short and sweet." There were a few chuckles.

"Guys, we've got a big future ahead of us," Sam said, adressing his fellow classmates, "Your teachers and parents have been telling you that the real world is harder, but I think our worst years don't nessessarily have to be ahead of us - They might not be behind us, either, though; Not unless you decide they are. As my lovely girlfriend always says, A day in itself isn't good or bad - It's what you make it. Life is the same way. Whatever you do, just remember the people around you -Friends, siblings, parents, a confident woman," He gave a smile to Jess and she returned it, "Whoever it is. They'll get you to your goals. You deserve to get there, after all the effort you all put in. They think so, too." A round of applause rang out and Sam looked away, sheepishly. The three seats in the front, reserved for his own family, were empty. It didn't matter. For once, he didn't care.

"You were great, Baby," Jess kissed him when he rejoined her. Dean, his elder brother, had snaked his way into the graduating class, taking the seat beside Sam.

"You're quite a public speaker, Sammy," Dean beamed in pride.

"Where are Mom and Dad?" Sam asked, hoping that they might have come.

"They were busy, Sammy," Dean frowned, "Sorry."

"That's okay, Dean," Sam offered a small smile, "I'm just glad you could make it."

"Damn straight!" Dean exclaimed and they all laughed.

"You're gonna enjoys Stanford so much," Jess grinned.

"Yeah, but what am I gonna do without you?" Sam pouted.

"Probably crash and burn."

Not many people came to the funeral.

Gabriel stood in the back of the church, clutching his jacket, tears welling in his eyes. Everything he'd had was falling apart. His safe haven was gone - As was his one true friend. As Garth had promised three years ago, the shop and all its contents and associated materials were to be left with him, but Gabriel knew Michael and Lucifer would both try and sell it out from under him. He felt his spare key in his jacket pocket. Pulling it out, he turned and left.

There was no need to stay here when he was unwanted, anyways.

Sam hadn't been able to attend the funeral.

The Moores hadn't even thought about him when they made preparations to bury her. When he'd finally heard the news and took the plane out the next morning, a week after it happened, she was already six feet under. They told him to leave them alone. They thought it was his fault she was dead.

It probably was.

His hands trembled a bit as he set a bouquet of roses beside the headstone.

Jessica Moore

Beloved Daughter and Friend

"A day in itself isn't good or bad."

A couple of tears creeped down his face as he traced his fingers across the marble letters. It had been a house fire...

...If only he'd been there, he could have prevented it, but he wasn't there.

Jessica had paid the ultimate price.