Hermione opened her eyes slowly, noticing that she was lying on the couch in her living room. She moved to sit up, but her head was spinning, so she laid back down.
"You're awake," a voice came from behind her.
Startled, Hermione sprang up from where she was laying and turned around. Sitting at her dining room table was the supposed FBI agent. The sudden movement made her woozy, and she eased back down onto her back on the couch.
"Can I get you anything?" the agent asked.
Hermione thought about her potions sitting in her medicine cabinet. There was no way she could let a muggle go and retrieve those for her without lots of explanations. "I'm fine. I just need a minute. How long was I out?"
Dean looked out the window at the night sky. "Pretty much all day. I didn't know what to do, so I found your keys in your pocket, picked you up and put you in here. You were done seizing by then. I didn't want to leave you alone, in case you had another episode, so I stayed here. I hope you don't mind? That was pretty scary shit out there."
Hermione slowly raised herself into a sitting position. "That's fine, I actually appreciate it. I was going to ask how you got us into my home. Have you eaten?"
"Nah, I'm good right now. Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. My...episodes flare up whenever I'm stressed out. I guess nearly being kidnapped could be considered pretty stressful. I haven't had an episode this bad in over seven years." She stood up from the couch on wobbling legs. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go take some medication." She walked to the bathroom, and opened her medicine cabinet. She took out one of her calming draughts, that she brewed herself in order to save money, and downed it. She leaned against the kitchen sink, bowing her head, taking deep breaths. As she relaxed herself, she tried to remember if there was anything that would out her as a witch that was in plain sight in the living room. Nothing she could think of, but she hoped that he didn't go wandering, since she had an entire potions lab set up in her spare bedroom.
She left the bathroom, and after a detour by the spare bedroom to make sure the door was shut and warded, she walked back into the dining room and took a seat across from Dean.
"So, do want to start with what the hell was up with Mr. Mahoney, or do you want to tell me who you really are?"
/\/\/\\/
Dean looked across the table at the young woman. She had her arms crossed over her chest, her chestnut hair a bushy mess from her episode and subsequent nap on the couch, and her chocolate eyes challenging him to lie to her. When he saw her on the sidewalk three days ago and questioned her, he had thought she was pretty attractive. Now, after three days of unintentionally stalking her, and then saving her, kinda, he had to admit she was downright gorgeous. She seemed to be around his age, and since she was living alone, he could definitely be sure she wasn't just a mature looking teeny bopper. It had been really hard concentrating on his case when all he really wanted to do was to ask this girl on a date. Too bad she already shot that idea down when they first met with the news that she had a boyfriend. But you can't blame a guy for wanting to continue trying. Just listen to her accent.
But he digressed. He tried really hard to keep her uninvolved with whatever weird shit was going on in this town. There were three mysterious deaths in the last two months. He really wanted to say it was vamp related, but so far after three days in the town, he couldn't find any evidence of vengeful spirit. And then, to have that demon show up today? He was beyond baffled.
What did the demon want with this lady anyways? There was too much going on and he didn't even know where to start. While Hermione had been asleep on the couch, he had called his dad to call in reinforcements. His dad was in the Midwest somewhere, on a werewolf case. He said he could be there in 2 days, at the earliest, more than likely he would get there within a week. Dean couldn't wait that long. Not when a demon was floating around, issuing personal threats.
He looked across the table at Hermione. She didn't look too worse for wear, after her morning, but he worried about her none the less. She was now on the demon's radar. He didn't know what it was, but he not only felt a connection with this girl, but he felt responsible for her. If only there was a way to let her know that without coming across as a total creep. Her episode honestly scared the shit out him. He had seen a lot of scary shit during his time as a hunter, but watching her collapse to the ground, and convulse? Yeah, he about felt his heart in his throat.
"I'm not really an FBI agent," Dean said, answering Hermione's question.
"Yeah, I figured that out when Mr. Mahoney called you by a different name," Hermione said. "Who are you really?"
Dean took a breath. "My name is Dean Winchester, and I hunt supernatural beings."
Hermione immediately looked panicked, but then schooled her features back into a more neutral expression. "Define supernatural beings."
"Werewolves, demons, vampires, things like that," Dean responded.
"What brought you to Salem?" Hermione asked.
"There have been three mysterious deaths in the past two months, my dad, who I hunt with, sent me over here as a solo mission, so I could prove to him that I was able to hunt on my own. It was supposed to be a clear cut and dry case, a possible vengeful spirit."
"Until Mr. Mahoney did that black smoke thing," Hermione interrupted.
"Yeah, that was really not expected at all."
"What was that?"
"That, sweetheart, was a demon possession."
Hermione's eyes widened. "They can just possess you, just like that?"
Dean nodded. "Unfortunately."
"What did the demon want with me?"
"I honestly don't know. I'm not sure if it wanted you specifically, or if you just happened to be a way to get what he wanted."
"What did he want?"
"Me."
They were quiet for a minute, staring at each other from across the table.
"Why would he think that I would be a way to get to you?" Hermione asked.
"Probably because I've been everywhere you've been for the last three days, and I've made it no secret that I'm interested in you," Dean answered, honestly. Might as well be completely honest.
Hermione worried her bottom lip between her teeth. "Look, I appreciate everything you've done, but..."
"You have a boyfriend. I know, but you can't knock a guy for trying, right?" He flashed Hermione a brilliant smile, causing her to blush.
They moved into an awkward silence. Just sitting at the table staring at each other. Hermione moved to speak, when there was a tapping at her window. They both turned to look, as an owl made to tap at the window again.
"Shit," Hermione muttered under her breath, as she hurried to the window to open it.
Dean watched in awe as a large barn owl flew into the house, dropping a letter on the table before landing on the arm of the couch. Hermione moved to a small dish sitting on an end table, took out what looked like a treat, fed it to the owl, who then flew back out the window. Hermione shut the window, moving back over to the table, picking up the letter the owl dropped there.
"What the fuck?" Dean sputtered, baffled at what he just saw.
"It's like courier pigeon but with owls. It's how my friends and I send letters. It's more fun that way, don't you think?" Hermione answered, not looking up from the letter she held in her hands.
She was reading it, her eyes darting quickly across the page. It seemed pretty important, because the more she read, the more concerned her face began to look. Slowly, she lowered herself back into her chair, before she crumpled the letter up in her hand.
"Look, I really think you need to leave now," she said, her voice quiet, and fighting emotion.
"What's wrong?" Dean asked, looking at the piece of paper in her hand.
"Nothing, it's just been a really long day, and I just need to get some rest, and," her voice broke, betraying her, "my boyfriend just broke up with me, so I would really like to be alone right now."
Dean's hand formed into a fist, unintentionally. "Your boyfriend broke up with you in a letter delivered by an owl?!"
Hermione wiped at her eyes. "He lives in London. We've been dating long distance for the last seven years while I attended university. I wrote to him three days ago asking if he would like to talk about the possibility of joining me here. Apparently the answer was no." Her voice caught. "Excuse me for a minute." She stood up from the table and fled, leaving the letter on the table.
Dean heard a door close, but didn't move to get up from the table. His eyes landed on the letter from the boyfriend. He knew that he wasn't one for commitment, and he could be an ass to women sometimes, but breaking up with your girlfriend of seven years via a letter? That was cold. His hand itched to pick the letter and read how the douche ended it. He glanced around. Hermione was still not anywhere around. He quickly picked the letter up and smoothed it out. Weird, it was written on some pretty fancy paper.
Hermione,
When you left seven years ago, you said that you would be gone a year. After the anniversary ball, you said that you would be back after you finished university. Now you write saying that your move is going to be permanent? And that you want me to pick up my life and move to America? Why would you think I would want to move away from my family, my friends and my job? I don't know if you know this, but I'm actually a really good auror. Kingsley says that I'm one of the top rookies, and that Harry and I will be heads of our own teams soon. I can't just leave that. I bet I wouldn't even be able to be an auror in America since I didn't sit my NEWTs. Then what would I do? Why can't you just come back here, so we can start our family like we planned? You're always choosing yourself and your books over the rest of us. You didn't even come back for Harry and Ginny's wedding. We were all really hurt by that. When do I become a priority? When do I become the focus of your life? Ever since the war ended it's always been about running away and fixing your parents. I don't think I can do this anymore. I know when you left you said you couldn't be here because walking down the streets reminded you of everyone we lost during the war, but when will you get over that? I was the one who lost my brother. It was my brother we buried four years ago. I just don't understand. I know there's something that you're not telling me, and I have a feeling it has to do with Bellatrix. I've never told you this, but when we've shared a bed during Christmas, I can hear you crying in your sleep. Are you still thinking about that time in Malfoy Manor? If it's just what happened under Bellatrix that is preventing you from returning, can't you just go see one of those muggle head doctor things Harry has been seeing since he defeated you-know-who? If you can't meet me halfway, Mione, I don't think there's any future for us. If you decide you're not coming back, then I guess this is it for us, no matter how much it hurts me to say it. I love you, Mione, but I have to move on.
Yours,
Ron
Dean stared at the letter and re-read it. He knew that he didn't exactly have a formal education, but there was a lot in this letter that really didn't make much sense. What the hell was a muggle? What war? He was pretty sure there hadn't been a war in England lately. What had Hermione gone through?
"What do you think you're doing?" Hermione had emerged from wherever she had been and was standing behind him, her hands on her hips, eyes glaring.
"I was just seeing how one would break up with someone with a letter," Dean replied smoothly.
Hermione stomped over to him and ripped the letter out of his hands. "I think it's time for you to leave."
"I think you need to explain some things I read in that letter," Dean countered.
"I don't need to do anything. You need to leave my house, before I call the police and inform them that not only do I have an intruder, but that he's been impersonating an FBI agent."
Dean stood his ground and stared at the angry woman in front of him. He had two choices, stay, and take the chance that she would follow through with her threat, or leave, and take a chance that the demon would return. It didn't take long for him to come to a decision.
"Fine, I'm leaving. For now. I'll be back tomorrow. Like it or not, for some reason you were targeted today, and I'm not going to take a chance with your life."
Not waiting for an answer, Dean picked up his suit jacket from the back of the chair, and walked out of the cottage. He didn't look back, he didn't need to. He could just imagine the look of indignation flashing across Hermione's face. It only made him want her more.
\/\/\/\/
Hermione waited until Dean shut the door behind him before collapsing to the ground. Everything was too much. She came here to get away from all of this. She lived a mostly muggle life and buried herself into school to avoid danger and life threatening situations. Now, on top of everything that happened today, Ron broke up with her. Seven years. She spent seven years building her relationship with him. Planning a future with him. She thought about all the nights they spent snuggled in his bed at Grimmauld, discussing when they would be married, and what life would be like. She tried to picture a future without Ron in it, but couldn't. It just didn't seem to exist in her mind. Everything she saw involved the red head.
For a brief second she contemplated packing up and moving back to England. But she pushed that from her mind. She was not the type of girl to give up her life for a man. Even a man who she loved with all her heart and couldn't imagine living without...yeah, this wasn't doing her any good. She was not going to wallow on the floor of her house like some damsel in distress. She could carry on without a man. It's not like they were together every day. It wasn't like she was going to run into him often. And the letter was amicable enough, with enough time they could even go back to being friends.
She needed something to keep her occupied. Something to keep her busy until she was able to move on from this. She could finish her research about reversing memory charms, but that would only prove to be frustrating. She sat staring at the floor for a few minutes before an idea popped in her head. Dean had mentioned something about vengeful spirits and mysterious deaths. He had been in town for a while, meaning he wasn't making any headway. He didn't look like the type to sit down and research in a library, and if he was just going around asking random people if they had seen anything weird, he was really not going to get any information that he wanted.
She stood up from the ground and made her way over to the computer she kept in the corner of the living room. As she booted it up, she began making a mental list of everything she could look up for Dean, and have ready for when he showed up the next day.
/\/\/\/\/\
Dean made his way up Hermione's driveway the next morning, dragging his feet. He was no closer to solving this case. He spent all night going through his notes from the interviews he had conducted the last few days, but nothing was really sticking out to him. Still, it was nice of John Winchester to not only allow Dean to go solo, but to also loan him the Impala for the mission. There was just one thing that didn't sit well with him. He returned to his motel last night, and tried to call his dad, but he didn't answer. While that wasn't abnormal, there was something that just didn't jive with him.
Dean approached the door and rang the bell. He hoped Hermione was awake. He would feel terrible waking her up. He heard her footsteps on the other side of the door, and braced himself to be chewed out by the vivacious woman. However, when she opened the door, it was not what he expected. She looked as if she hadn't slept at all the night before. Her hair was even bushier, if that was possible, and she had deep circles under her eyes. But despite it all, when she saw him, her face broke out into a brilliant smile.
"You're here!" she exclaimed.
"Yep. Told you I would be back today!" Dean replied, his smile matching hers. It was contagious, he couldn't help it. "What's got you so chipper this morning?"
Hermione's grin widened, "Come in, I have something to show you." She reached out, grabbing onto his hand, dragging him into the house.
Once he was inside, his jaw dropped as he looked around. When he was there last night, the place was impeccably clean and organized. Like obsessive compulsive clean. Today, however, it looked like a tornado came through her small house and took every book off the shelf and spread them everywhere. The table, completely bare a few hours ago, was now completely carpeted with books and papers.
"Um, Hermione, what's going on?"
"I've been researching about the problem you were telling me about," she replied.
"What problem?"
"You know, the mysterious deaths, the possible vengeful spirit that is supposedly plaguing this town."
"What do you know about vengeful spirits?" Dean asked, slightly amused.
"Quite a bit now. The internet is an amazing tool, Mr. Winchester. And whatever you can't find on there, you can find in a book. I suggest if you're going to go on solo missions,that you learn to do a little bit of research. It'll make your life a lot easier. Have you even done any research since being on this mission?"
Dean stared at Hermione like she had grown three heads. She was researching? For his job? How did he get lucky enough to run into her? He hated research, and relied on his dad to do any that needed to be done. He honestly didn't even know where to start. He always considered it the "boring" part of the job. Now, He had someone, who he had barely met, do all the research he needed for this case. At least he assumed she had, he hadn't heard what she had done yet. For all he knew she could have found a bunch of theory sites and have found a bunch of wrong information.
"What did you find?" He asked, when all he really wanted to ask the brilliant girl in front of him if she wanted to go on the road and be his permanent partner.
"Just that your mysterious deaths aren't quite as mysterious as you thought they were," Hermione responded as she walked over to the table. She picked up a packet of papers she had lying in a pile on the table. "These are the medical examiner's notes on everyone who has died in Salem in the past two months. These," she pulled out three pieces of paper that had yellow sticky flags on them. "Are the ones that had a 'mysterious' quality to them. The mystery was they were all young, supposedly healthy individuals who just didn't make it through a day one day. Their cause of death? Brain aneurysm, ruptured appendix, and congenital heart failure, respectfully."
As she listed off the cause of death, she placed the pieces of paper in front of Dean. Dean picked them up and scanned through them.
"This doesn't mean anything. Can't a spirit make it look like these were the cause of death?" Dean asked.
"That's what I thought at first, however, none of this matches with the MO of a spirit. None of the victims knew each other, there was no connection whatsoever. It's just a coincidence that these young people all died within months of each other. Nothing else."
Dean put the papers down and looked up at Hermione. "So what you're saying is that I'm here for no reason?"
Hermione shrugged. "I'm sorry you wasted your time. What did your father tell you before you came here? What made him suspect the deaths were suspicious?"
Dean shook his head. "He told me everything I told you. He never really specified why he felt these deaths were suspicious. He just sent me here."
"Did you go look at the places where they died? Did you do an EMF reading?"
"How the hell do you know what an EMF reading is?" Dean smiled at her.
Hermione smiled back. "Internet."
Dean laughed. "Internet. Right. Yeah, no, no EMF detected at the scenes of their death. Son of a bitch. Let me call my dad and let him know that I've wrapped things up here, and see where he wants me to meet him."
He pulled out his phone and dialed his dad's number. Straight to voicemail.
"Huh, that's weird," Dean muttered as he dialed again. Same result.
"Is everything okay?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, I guess he's on a really tough job right now, and has his phone off. I'll try him in a little bit." Dean answered.
"Are you going to be heading out now?" Hermione asked.
Dean looked at her. She looked a mess, but she was still beautiful. She was obviously very smart, to have come up with all of this overnight, and she was now single. Plus the demon could still be nearby...
"Nah, I think I'll stick around a little. You know, since that demon could still be around, I wouldn't feel right if you were attacked right after I left. I think I'll just stick around until I can get a hold of my dad. Would that be okay?"
Hermione worried her bottom lip as she thought over what Dean had just said. Dean waited, holding his breath, hoping she would agree.
"Alright," she said, smiling. "I guess you could stick around. But you're going to have to stay at the motel. I don't let strange men stay in my home."
Dean grinned. "Don't worry, sweetheart, whatever you say. Now how about you get cleaned up, and we go find some breakfast?"
/\/\/\/\/
"What have I told you about feet on my coffee table, Mr. Winchester?" Hermione chastised as she came into the living room from her spare bedroom. She had to finish off a few potions and send them out to the people who ordered them. She had been running a small potions by mail business the last few years. It helped supplement her income and gave her something to do during the summer. Of course, it was getting harder to keep up on her orders with Dean constantly around for the last two weeks. Not that she was complaining, of course. It was nice to have the company, and he was a really great guy. However, it was getting harder and harder to keep her identity as a witch a secret with him here twenty-four hours a day.
She had started leaving her spare bedroom's window open for the owl post, that way Dean wouldn't get too suspicious of owls coming at all hours of the day, especially when she had explained the first one off as just her friends way of communicating with her. She also had to come up with a plausible excuse for why she had to lock herself in the spare bedroom, where he wasn't allowed, for hours. Turned out all she had to say was she was conducting science experiments to test out for when school started, and he didn't even ask questions.
At first he would come over in the morning, they would get breakfast at the diner, and then spend the day catching the sights. Hermione would give him the tour of the city, and point out all the historic spots, before they would part for the evening, Dean going back to the motel, Hermione back to her place.
After four days, Hermione invited Dean to stay on her couch. She still wasn't sure what compelled her to do so. It may have been the fact that her nightmares had grown a little worse at night ever since Ron had ended things with her, it may have been the constantly downtrodden look Dean got every time he attempted to call his dad and didn't get an answer. Whatever it was, for the last week Dean had made himself comfortable in her home, and it just seemed natural to have him there. She still cast a silencing charm on her bedroom at night, so she wouldn't disturb him with her screams, but the nightmares had eased slightly, knowing that she wasn't totally alone.
"Sorry, mom," Dean drawled as he moved his feet to the floor. "What do you say, we get out today and hit the beach."
Hermione stopped. The beach. She never went to the beach. That would require wearing a swim suit. She looked down at her arm that was currently covered in a long sleeve shirt. She had tried glamours, but they wouldn't cover up the scar. Nothing would. She quickly went through her entire wardrobe mentally, and came up short. She didn't even own a swim suit.
"I don't own a swim suit." Hermione said.
Dean frowned. "How can you live this close to the ocean, and not own a swim suit?"
Hermione shrugged. "I'm not a beach person."
Dean sighed. "Maybe we can go and just put our feet in the water? I'm feeling edgy. I think I just need to get out for a bit."
"Nothing's keeping you here," Hermione responded. "You can leave whenever you want, you know."
Dean smiled. "But what would you do without me, sweetheart?"
Hermione blushed. It was getting harder and harder to resist his flirting. The best part of him being around was she had been able to cut her depression over the break up with Ron short. With him being around constantly, she didn't have time to be sad. She was too busy trying to hide the fact that she was a witch, and make sure he didn't get so bored that he began snooping where he shouldn't be snooping. She was pretty sure he was already suspicious after reading Ron's letter, but he never brought up anything he had read, so she wasn't sure.
"Probably not have to worry about scuff marks on my coffee table," Hermione retorted.
"So are we going to hit the beach, or what?" Dean asked, standing up.
"Depends, do you even own anything that's not jeans and combat boots?" Hermione said pointedly.
"I don't know, do you own anything that's not long sleeved? Aren't you hot? It's like ninety out."
Hermione wrapped her arms around her torso protectively. "I'm fine, I'm cold blooded, so it doesn't really bother me."
Dean raised his eyebrow. "Whatever you say. Now go put on...a lighter weight long sleeve shirt, I'll dig out some shorts, I'm sure I have a pair in here somewhere, and we'll go hit the beach."
Hermione smiled at the thought of seeing him in shorts before turning and walking to her bedroom. She pulled out a pair of shorts and a light weight teal long-sleeved blouse. This would have to do. She walked over to her vanity and pulled her hair into a high pony tail before walking back out to the living room. Instead of finding Dean dressed in a pair of shorts, ready to go, she found him sitting on the couch, staring at his phone.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Why isn't he answering?" Dean asked, not looking up from his phone.
Hermione moved to sit down on the couch next to him. "You still can't get your dad on the phone?"
Dean shook his head. "It's been two weeks. He's never gone dark this long."
"Do you have anyone else you could call and see if they've heard from him?"
Dean was quiet for a minute. "My brother."
"You have a brother?"
Dean smiled slightly. "Yeah, a younger brother, Sam. He's going to school at Stanford. He's crazy smart, just like you."
Hermione blushed. "You should call him."
Dean shook his head. "He won't answer my calls. He kinda ran away from us, didn't want anything to do with hunting. Wanted to live a normal life. Ever since he went to college he's been ignoring our calls. But if I can at least find out when the last time dad attempted to call him was..."
Hermione put her hand on Dean's knee. "You need to go there in person. You have to go and find out. It'll eat you alive if you don't go and find out."
Dean covered her hand with his. "Yeah, I do. I'm so sorry. I wish I could stay longer..."
"I understand, Dean. I really do. I knew that this wasn't going to be a permanent thing. I knew eventually you would have to leave and continue on with your life."
"It's been a great two weeks though, hasn't it?" Dean said, turning toward her.
"The best I've had in a long time," Hermione gave him a watery smile.
Dean wrapped an arm around her, and pulled her toward him. "Now, none of this. I don't need this upsetting you and you having one of your seizures when I can't be here to watch over you. I'll be back."
Hermione pulled back a little so she could look up at him. "You will?"
"Of course. This job takes me all over the country. I'm positive I'll end up back on the east coast again. And whenever I do, I'll go out of my way to come and visit. I promise."
Hermione leaned forward and Dean wrapped his arms tighter around her, trapping her against his chest. She inhaled his scent and sighed. This just felt right.
"I'm really going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss you, too."
"Do we have to go to the beach?" Hermione asked.
She felt Dean shake his head. "Nah, I think I would rather stay in."
"Want to watch a movie on the telly tonight and order in pizza?"
Dean placed a kiss on her forehead. "That sounds like an amazing idea."
"You'll say goodbye before you leave, won't you."
"You can count on it."
/\/\/\/\/\
The next morning found Hermione and Dean standing by the Impala, unable to part.
"So," Dean started, "Do I have to find an owl to contact you? Because that may be a little hard..."
Hermione laughed. "No, I have a phone. Here," she held out her hand. Dean handed her his phone. She plugged some numbers in, and handed the phone back to him. "My number is in there now, you can't lose it."
Dean smiled looking down at his phone. "Thanks. You still have my card?"
Hermione nodded.
"Good, call me, any time. I mean it. If you see anything weird, anything, call me."
"Dean, I'll be fine. I've made it this long without you, you know. And we haven't seen that demon for two weeks. I think I'll be fine."
"I know, just let me worry about you, okay? It makes me feel better."
Hermione smiled a half smile. "Alright, I'll let you worry, but just know that I'm stronger than you think. I've...been through things."
Dean frowned. "I figured. I gathered that idea from your ex's letter. When I come back, I plan on interrogating you about that."
"Alright, I'll prepare myself for that," Hermione gave him a watery smile.
"Hey, none of that. I'll try and call you, and I'll be back. I promise." Dean reached out and pulled Hermione tight against him. This was harder than he thought. For two straight weeks he had a kind of normalcy he never really had with the life of a hunter. Maybe after he found his dad, he would come back here and settle down.
Hermione tightened her arms around his body, pulling herself closer to him. He could feel moisture on the front of his shirt. He squeezed her a little before pushing her back so he can look at her. Her eyes were red rimmed, with tears streaking down her cheeks. She looked up at him, those beautiful chocolate eyes. He leaned down and placed a lingering kiss on her forehead. Hermione closed her eyes and inhaled. He disentangled himself from her arms, squeezing her hands before letting go. Without saying a word, he got into the Impala, and shut the door, before he could change his mind. He backed down the driveway, and as he drove down the road, he glanced in his rearview mirror, and watched Hermione stand in her driveway watching him until he couldn't see her anymore.
Thanks everyone for all the follows and favorites! It's really made me feel pretty awesome! This chapter is the longest in the whole story, so don't expect any more chapters to be this long. Please review and let me know your thoughts. Next chapter will be out this weekend.