"Because I love you!" The words were out before she could stop them. She needed to let him know how she really felt about him. "Meeting you, getting to know you, falling in love with you was the best thing that's happened to me. You changed me. For the better." She took a step closer to him.

"Don't say that." He bowed his head. "Don't say that." His voice was hoarse with emotion. "I know I've never deserved you, and now more than ever I realise that." He looked up at her again, and the pain in his eyes was so strong, Haley felt her heart literally aching.

"Haley," he started. He wanted to say so many things to her, but maybe he didn't have enough courage to really admit them. He could barely admit them to himself. "It's not easy for me to put my feelings into words. I suck at it." His face softened. "My life has never been easy, and happiness was not meant for me, but I want you to know that the times I was happy, it was with you. You made me happy. And those moments I will always have with me, even when we're apart."

He felt a strong urge to caress her cheek. He looked at her with emotional eyes, full of unshed tears. God, she was so beautiful. Not able to resist himself, his fingers grazed her cheek. Haley closed her eyes, tears falling down her face, wetting his hand.

"Dean…" why were words so difficult right now? "I don't know what to do anymore. When I look at you, I still see the face of the man I fell in love with. Despite everything, somehow you're still you." She ran placed her hand over his, as it still lay on her cheek. She pursed her lips, trying to stay strong. She wanted to hold him, and make him go away at the same time. "But I also know that you've changed. I have also changed, and I'm not sure that we can still be together, happy and in a healthy relationship after everything. I love you, that will never change…" she sighed deeply, her body tired. "I'd never thought I'd believe this, but maybe love just isn't enough for us. I tried to be what you needed, and I wanted to make everything alright for you, but that wasn't enough. And I don't blame you for my shortcomings. Life has been cruel to us." Haley bit her lip, trying hard not to shed more tears, but it was in vain, her eyes were shinning with their glimmer.

Dean looked at her intently. "Life is a bitch, but I am grateful for the one good thing it gave me: you." His ran his thumb softly over the curve of her cheek. "You're the best thing that's ever been mine. But that's where I was wrong. You really have never been mine."

He let his hand drop to his side, no longer touching her. Haley felt a pang of sadness, feeling the absence of the warmth of his touch. He'd always made her feel so warm and protected. But now, as he stepped away from her, she felt the complete opposite, so cold and vulnerable. Wrapping her arms tightly around herself, she found the strength to step closer to him. She just couldn't bear to see him distance himself from her.

Haley stared at him with pained eyes, but took his hands in hers, linking their fingers together. "Remember the first time we made love?" She wanted to smile at the memory. Those moments had been the happiest time in her life.

A shadow of a smile crossed over his handsome face. "How could I ever forget? It was the night we had our first big fight, and you ran out, angry at me. I went after you, and it was raining, the storm was heavy. When I finally caught up to you, you were soaking wet."

Haley's lips formed into a small smile. "Yeah. And then you almost ran me over because you couldn't see through the rain. I was so angry."

"Yeah, and then I forced you to get into the car. I had to literally throw you over my shoulder and get you inside because you wouldn't." His eyes filled with love at the memory. "And even once you were inside, you wouldn't stop yelling at me. So I had to do the one thing I knew would shut you up, kiss you."

Haley laughed softly. "And I hated you for that. Because it was true. I could never resist your kisses. That's one of the reasons I fell in love with you, you know. You were such a damn good kisser." She let go of one of his hands, and placed a hand over his chest, where his heart lay. "Your kisses were always my undoing."

Dean felt a rush of love come over him, hearing her admit this to him. "My favorite thing in the world is to kiss you. And I would do it all day long if you'd let me."

Haley breathed a small gasp, as her breathing quickened. "Dean, I-"

"Don't." He placed a finger over her lips. "I know. I won't ever kiss you again, if you don't want me to."

She tilted her head. "It's not that. The problem is I do want you to, but if you did, I'm not sure I could come back from that. I might do something crazy and kiss you back."

Dean reached for her, his hand bringing her closer to him, as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "Who says that's a problem?"

His face was mere inches from hers. Haley couldn't breathe. Her heart beat loudly inside her.

"It is because… because I-" she stumbled through her words. "Because if you do, I'll never want you to leave me."

"Really?" He inched closer to her, this time, their mouths were seconds away from each others.

Haley swallowed hard. "Yes, really."

His blue green eyes were full of adoration. "I'm not going to do anything you don't want me to," he breathed, and Haley felt his soft breath over her face.

Dean watched her as her as she tried to retain her composure. She'd always been so strong. It was one of the many qualities she possessed that had drawn him to her. Her strength of character and the way she went through life with such purpose and determination.

He shook his head, and put a little distance between, nonetheless he still held onto her, his hand still linked to hers.

"Remember the first time I said I love you? Because I remember the moment when you cried and told me that you loved me for the first time." Dean's fingers wound tighter around hers. "But I have a confession to make." His eyes darkened.

Haley's heartbeat staggered. "What?"

"You were actually the first one to say I love you."

Haley frowned. "What are you talking about? You said it first."

"Remember when I took you to Austin to see AC/DC?"

"Yes, and we stayed in that seedy motel because everything else was booked."

"Yeah and you fell asleep in my arms that night. And then while you were sleeping, you whispered, 'I love you, Dean.' His green eyes were bright with amusement. "I never told you because I wanted to be the first one who said it."

Haley couldn't help but smile. She laughed. "Are you serious."

"So serious."

His face was a picture of seriousness, but then he smiled at her, that sexy brilliant smile that was both her ultimate weakness and strength."

"You're unbelievable." She shook her head. "I have a confession of my own." She grinned, feeling happy as she recalled the memory. "The first very time I saw you, it was late in October, I remember thinking you were so gorgeous, and I really wanted to see who you were. So I ran into your car on purpose."

"What?" He exclaimed. "So it was you who put that dent in the Impala that was hell to fix?"

"Yes," she said guiltily. Mea culpa." She looked up at him. "And then I went up to you, and pretended I didn't know who did it, that it was some hit and run. But it worked, because you talked to me."

Dean couldn't help his laughter. "I would have never thought that!" He looked at her intently. "That was the price my baby had to pay so I could find you. But really, you found me."